Profile: David Henderson

Auckland property developer David Henderson is one of the city's most influential businessmen and is said to have development work worth up to $1 billion under his belt.

The 55-year-old joined the National Business Review Rich List this year.

His wealth was estimated at $30 million but he claimed to have far less than that.

The former electrician, nicknamed Hendo, is no stranger to conflict, having crossed swords with many builders and others in business.

The son of a fitter and turner grew up in Milford, and started his empire by renovating old Ponsonby houses.

Mr Henderson has mainly bitter memories of his years at school and talks of having the qualification of FSC - "failed School Certificate".

After working as a sparkie with the Waitemata Electric Power Board, he sold his prized Chrysler Valiant to get a house deposit together and began buying residential property in Herne Bay, Kingsland, Ponsonby and Grey Lynn.

In the 1970s, he opened the Stove Shop, a second-hand dealership in Ponsonby Rd.

By his early 20s, he was on his way to his first million and was buying industrial and office buildings.

By the 1980s, Mr Henderson had built up Richmond Development Corporation. However, he lost his fortune.

He joked last year that instead of all the deals turning to gold, "everything you touched back then turned to shit".

He rebuilt his empire slowly and in 1997 he bought the 98-year lease on Princes Wharf and hit on a plan to revive the waterfront.

Under the banner of his Kitchener Group of companies, he pioneered inner-city apartment living, putting up many blocks, and brought the first Hilton Hotel to New Zealand.

Members of the public who helped to finance Princes Wharf through bonds were richly rewarded and have all been repaid with substantial interest.

Mr Henderson, divorced three times, has lived in the "eagle's nest" penthouse apartment atop the Hilton since it was completed about three years ago.

By last winter, a no-carbohydrate diet and regular exercise helped Mr Henderson to shed more than 24kg and he said he was feeling better than ever.

The "mayor of the waterfront" cut a striking figure, whether striding among his Princes Wharf buildings or dining at the waterfront's best eateries.

Henderson's buildings

* The $200 million redevelopment of Princes Wharf.

* Victoria Park Market.

* The $100 million Interplex industrial park at Albany.

* Apartment blocks, including Q City and Q Central in Queen St.