Peter Jackson Worth $20 Million
Staff Reporter

Seatoun movie mogul Peter Jackson has joined New Zealand's wealthy elite, winning a spot on the National Business Review's annual list of our top money-makers.

The director of The Lord Of The Rings movie trilogy, filmed in New Zealand and due out in December, is said to be earning an eight-figure salary. That's not including the royalties he'll earn if the films are as successful as expected.

As in the past, NBR's list is based on estimates and sources. There is nothing definitive about it. Mr Jackson, 39, has homes in the Wellington suburb of Seatoun and Masterton and has investments in film companies. His past jobs include a stint at The Evening Post as a photo engraver.

His wealth is estimated at $20 million.

Among other well-known names on the list, talkback host and politician John Banks is worth $16 million. Supermodel Rachel Hunter $20 million and Xena: Warrior Princess star Lucy Lawless $15 million. Actor Sam Neill is worth $20 million and opera diva Dame Kiri Te Kanawa $15 million.

Just missing the $10 million cut off point are model Kylie Bax, singer Neil Finn, broadcaster Paul Holmes and rugby league's Mad Butcher Peter Leitch.