April 05, 2023
Smiler and Stone make Business Hall of Fame
Māori business leaders Kingi Smiler and Wally Stone have been inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame.
Mr Smiler, a former Ernst and Young partner, has been a director of and chaired several large Maori trusts and agribusinesses.
Miraka CEO Karl Gradon says Mr Smiler was one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the dairy processing company, which is the first in the world to be powered by geothermal energy.
Mr Stone helped establish Whale Watch Kaikoura and has also chaired Ngai Tahu Holding Corporation, New Zealand Tourism Board, and Koau Capital Partners.
He was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of merit for his contribution to tourism, business and Māori economic development.
The other inductees this year are former Auckland Business Chamber head Michael Barnett, former Telecom CEO Theresa Gattung, property magnate Ted Manson, developer and philanthropist Sir Paul Adams and the late Kelly Tarlton.