Review of Society Insider’s most mentioned personalities

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 11, 2026

Nick Mowbray and Jaimee Lupton, along with notable figures like Ali and Anna Mowbray and Graeme Hart, have maintained prominent roles in New Zealand's social and business landscapes through family expansions, global business growth, and high-profile events. Their ongoing ventures—including Zuru’s international expansion, major property investments, and plans for a private netball league—highlight the blending of entrepreneurship and elite social networking shaping the country's elite circles.

Marking two years since the launch of Society Insider, a review of the publication’s coverage highlights several prominent personalities who have consistently made headlines in New Zealand’s social and business spheres.

Leading the list are Nick Mowbray, co-founder of the global toy company Zuru, and his fiancée Jaimee Lupton, founder of Monday Haircare. The couple is preparing to welcome their second child, a son, joining their 2-year-old daughter Noa. Lupton expressed excitement about the new addition in an interview last July. Over the past two years, Zuru has significantly expanded its global presence, opening more than 30 new hubs worldwide. Zuru Edge, the company’s beauty division valued at approximately NZD 1 billion, recently appointed Annabel Harris as general manager. The Mowbrays spent the better part of this year traveling through North America before enjoying a babymoon in Positano, Italy. Additionally, Nick Mowbray participated in an event in Los Angeles alongside billionaire and Snapchat co-founder Evan Spiegel, testing out Snapchat’s augmented reality glasses. Their Herne Bay waterfront mansion, currently under reconstruction, follows a high-profile past including a large Halloween party two years ago before the original 1940s Spanish-style home was demolished.

Closely following the Mowbrays in society mentions are former All Black Ali Williams and his wife, Anna Mowbray, founder of Zeil, a recruitment firm. The couple has actively invested in and expanded their business interests, including purchasing the College Hill building in Auckland for nearly NZD 20 million and investing NZD 20 million in an aluminum can manufacturing company, Recorp. Anna Mowbray recently launched Zeil's services in Australia and was recognized by Forbes Australia as New Zealand’s richest woman. Together, they are stakeholders in Auckland FC and have negotiated a non-binding agreement with Netball New Zealand to establish a private franchise league starting next year. Their Westmere waterfront property, valued at over NZD 24 million, has hosted various high-profile events, including fundraisers and sporting reunions. Plans for a helipad at their residence remain delayed following a community-led challenge in the Environment Court.

The Hart family, with strong ties to the Mowbrays, also featured heavily in society news. Billionaire Graeme Hart and his wife Robyn have been in the spotlight for their social events and family activities. In January, Hart and Nick Mowbray co-hosted the wedding of Jaimee Lupton’s sister Morgan with Tim McGoldrick, a close family friend, which took place aboard the Mowbray family superyacht Mahoenui and continued at the Hart’s estate on Waiheke Island. The Hart family’s 103-meter Feadship yacht Ulysses, spotted previously on the French Riviera, was the site of their son Harry’s engagement celebration with Australian heiress Cartier Lee. Reports also indicate the Hart and Hawkesby families acquired a new 80-meter shadow yacht, U-81, adding to their maritime assets.

These key figures have remained at the forefront of New Zealand’s intersection of wealth, business, and social scenes, illustrating a dynamic blend of family life, entrepreneurial ventures, and high-profile networking over the past two years.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.