Graeme Hart

In 2023, Pactiv Evergreen closed its century-old mill in Canton, North Carolina, eliminating more than 800 jobs despite a public incentive agreement requiring operations to continue until the end of 2024. The state sued to recover financial assistance.

State of the evidence

closure, grant commitment, litigation and settlement documented

Legal status — source text

Pactiv reached a US$6.25 million settlement with North Carolina and local authorities in February 2025; no finding of personal wrongdoing by Hart

Attribution

Hart was the ultimate owner of the holding company controlling Pactiv at the time; closure decisions made by the company's board/management

Hart, personally and through Rank Group, was among the largest private donors during the electoral cycle, with more than NZ$800,000 distributed mainly among National, ACT and NZ First.

State of the evidence

declared donations and press coverage documented

Legal status — source text

no offence or unlawful consideration established

Attribution

personal responsibility for his political financing choices; no corruption inferred

Two companies linked to Graeme Hart each paid NZ$14,995 to the NZ First Foundation on the same day, NZ$5.01 below the former individual disclosure threshold. Other family-linked payments were also reported, and Hart was questioned by the SFO.

State of the evidence

payments and ownership structures documented by RNZ; Hart questioned by SFO

Legal status — source text

no personal charges or conviction against Hart; Foundation proceedings concerned other individuals

Attribution

personal/economic responsibility as owner of donating entities; intention to avoid disclosure threshold not judicially established

The Offshore Leaks database derived from the Paradise Papers identifies Graeme Hart as linked to Felham Enterprises (Cayman) Ltd, a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, notably as a signatory/shareholder.

State of the evidence

ICIJ database entry documented

Legal status — source text

no fraud, tax evasion or personal illegality established by this information alone

Attribution

direct personal link to offshore entity; unlawful use not demonstrated

Carter Holt Harvey, controlled by Hart's Rank Group, locked out nearly 200 employees at its Myrtleford plywood plant for approximately two months during a dispute over wages, leave and income protection insurance. Unions denounced "economic warfare" against the community.

State of the evidence

lockout, negotiations and local impact documented

Legal status — source text

industrial dispute before Australian labour relations mechanisms; no personal liability of Hart established

Attribution

responsibility as ultimate owner of Carter Holt Harvey; operational decision attributed to CHH management

The Ministry of Education sued Carter Holt Harvey, alleging that Shadowclad products had contributed to serious weathertightness problems in numerous schools. CHH unsuccessfully sought to strike out several causes of action, including before the Supreme Court.

State of the evidence

product claim and Supreme Court decisions documented

Legal status — source text

Supreme Court refused to strike out the principal causes of action and allowed them to proceed; no final personal liability of Hart established

Attribution

Hart is the ultimate owner of CHH; product defect allegations target the company, not Hart personally