The Shout Magazine (New Zealand)

Top honours for Sileni owner

Sileni Estates owner and CEO, Sir Graeme Avery is to be inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Auckland in August. Avery will be recognised for his contribution to business, food, wine and sport.

Sileni Estates owner, Sir Graeme Avery.

Sileni Estates owner, Sir Graeme Avery.

The award goes back to the mid-1800s and recognises outstanding contributions to the economic and social development of New Zealand, including community involvement. Avery transformed medical publishing firm Adis International into a $100 million world-leading business before creating his award-winning Sileni Estates venture in Hawke’s Bay.

Avery founded the Hawke’s Bay Food Group and successful Hawke’s Bay Farmers Market. He also led the formation of the private sector’s Hawke’s Bay Wine Country Tourism Association. A significant supporter of sport, especially athletics, he also led the fundraising campaign to create the AUT Millennium Institute of Sport & Health – now the national training centre for high performance sport.

The ultimate recognition for Avery’s achievements came in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours, when he received a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM) for his contribution to business and sport.

Sileni Estates.

Sileni Estates.