He said the achievements of Zuru and Rocket Lab showed New Zealand was capable of producing globally competitive companies that could “deliver prosperity” while “increasing living standards for people”.
Mowbray described the family’s estimated fortune as a “scorecard” for Zuru’s success rather than a goal in itself.
“What really matters to us is the execution that delivers on that number,” he said.
“From our side, that means competing on a global scale, in our case with companies like Procter and Gamble, Kimberly Clark, Mattel, Lego – competing with them on their home turf and winning.”
Zuru co-founder and CEO Nick Mowbray.
Mowbray also criticised Green Party policies which he felt created a “reliance on the state” and a “fixation that the pie is set”.
“All that does is [it] drives out ambitious people, drives out capital, and effectively just shrinks the overall pie,” he said.
“I think it’s just creating a culture of ambition and knowing that we can go out on a world stage and and win.
“Zuru proves that we continue to do it in multiple different verticals.”
The number of billionaires on this year’s NBR Rich List rose from 18 to 26.
The combined wealth of the country’s 150 richest individuals, families and duos increased to $129b, up from $102b last year.
Mowbray and his brother Mat retained the top spot, while packaging magnate Graeme Hart remained second on $14.1b.
Rocket Lab founder Sir Peter Beck was the biggest mover, jumping 30 places to third after his estimated wealth surged from $650 million to $11 billion.
The list welcomed 19 newcomers worth a combined $10.22b, including NBA player Steven Adams, while film-maker James Cameron was the wealthiest new entrant with an estimated fortune of $1.6b.