Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

The recession has sliced $6 billion off the fortunes of those on the annual New Zealand Rich List.

Graeme Hart retains the top spot, with an estimated wealth of $5.5 billion - down $0.5 billion from last year due to the tougher market.

Second on the list, published by The National Business Review is agri-businessman Eamon Cleary who has an estimated wealth of $2 billion - down $100 million from last year.

He's followed by Christopher Chandler in third place, at $1.8 billion - down $2 million from last year.

At the other end of the scale, 17 businessmen including four property developers, have fallen off this year's list.

Prime minister John Key is in 146th place with an estimated worth of $50 million.

The richest woman on the list is Lynette Erceg, a liquor and property investor worth an estimated $1.2 billion.

The most affluent family are the Todd's, with an estimated wealth of $2.6 billion.