Liquor boss leaves millions to staff

Michael Erceg

Michael Erceg, the liquor magnate killed when his helicopter plunged into bush near Raglan last November, left some of his employees large sums in his will - making five of them instant millionaires.

Erceg signed the will less than five months before his Eurocopter crashed into Mt Karioi in November, the Sunday Star-Times newspaper reported today. Dutch brewery executive Guus Klatte was also killed.

The newspaper reported Erceg, 49, left $30 million to 15 employees, former employees and relatives, from his personal fortune of more than $600m.

Among the beneficiaries were five of his top executives, who each received $1m. Another 10 staff received $500,000 each.

Independent Liquor is being prepared for sale, with Trans-Tasman brewer Lion Nathan among those believed to be interested.

Erceg also left $5m to his sister, Vinka, $5m to his stepson, Matthew Pringle, $2m to his mother, Millie, $2.5m each to his niece and nephew, and $1m each to his father-in-law and mother-in-law.

To his brother Ivan, who spearheaded the search effort and was present when the bodies and wreckage were found, he gifted all money, understood to be in the millions, he had loaned to Ivan and his company Sensation Yachts.

The newspaper said it was understood his wife Lynne is provided for through the family and business trusts.

- NZPA