In today’s fast-changing business landscape, building sustainable growth requires more than hard work; it demands a clear formula that blends technology, strategy, and investment discipline. For Mike Marr, one of New Zealand’s most accomplished entrepreneurs, this formula has guided the rise of TPT Group, a family office with more than $100 million in direct investments and a diversified portfolio spanning security, IT, communications, property, and emerging technologies.
From Electrical Apprentice to Investor
Mike Marr’s story began in South Auckland, where he grew up in Pukekohe and overcame childhood health challenges and learning difficulties. School was not easy, yet he developed creativity, resilience, and problem-solving instincts that would later become entrepreneurial strengths.
After an electrical apprenticeship with Franklin Electric Power Board (now Counties Energy), Mike Marr quickly moved into leadership roles in the infrastructure and energy sectors. By 1999, he had the vision and drive to launch TPT Group, marking the start of a journey that would see him become a respected investor, director, and leader across multiple industries.
Technology as a Growth Driver
At the heart of Mike Marr’s business philosophy is the conviction that technology is central to growth and transformation. TPT Group has made consistent investments in technology-driven businesses, ensuring its portfolio remains resilient and future-focused.
Among its subsidiaries are:
- Advanced Security Group
New Zealand’s largest corporate and government electronic security integrator, with 19 offices nationwide.
- IT Engine
A Microsoft Gold Partner specializing in modern workplace solutions, cloud, and cybersecurity.
- ASG Technologies
A technology incubator that helps organizations embrace disruptive innovations and prepare for exponential change.
- Cablenet
A trusted provider of infrastructure and communications technology, serving major national organizations since 1992.
These investments highlight Marr’s commitment to positioning businesses not just for today, but for the future.
Strategic Acquisitions and Business Turnarounds
Mike Marr’s formula also places a strong emphasis on strategic acquisitions. Over the years, he has led 17 business acquisitions, often transforming companies in financial crisis into sustainable, profitable enterprises through the introduction of better systems, sound strategy, and cultural reinvention.
Recent acquisitions such as Everlert (2023), a nationwide security monitoring and call center business, and Cablenet (2021) illustrate how Mike Marr identifies opportunities in industries with long-term potential. These moves not only expand TPT Group’s footprint but also bring synergies that accelerate growth across the wider portfolio.
The Power of Smart Investment
While technology and strategy provide direction, Mike Marr believes that investment discipline is the engine that sustains growth. Through TPT Group, he has developed a family office model that balances risk with opportunity, ensuring capital is deployed to sectors with strong growth potential and sustainable impact.
TPT Group’s investments extend beyond technology and security into commercial property through Promessa Property Group, which manages more than 27 properties across New Zealand, and Trade Rentals, a commercial vehicle rental company based in Auckland.
This multi-sector approach demonstrates Marr’s ability to diversify while maintaining focus on industries where TPT Group can bring expertise, governance, and capital to unlock value.
Leadership and People-First Philosophy
Mike Marr often states that “great teams create great companies.” He compares businesses to jigsaw puzzles, where each team member is a vital piece of the picture. This philosophy has shaped TPT Group’s culture, ensuring that leadership development, employee empowerment, and collaboration remain central to the company’s success.
His leadership extends well beyond his own businesses. Marr serves as a trustee and director across multiple organizations, including Waipa Networks, Counties Energy Trust, Franklin STARS Trust, Innovation Franklin, and The Runway Foundation, the latter founded with his wife, Terese Marr, to support families of children with ADHD.
Honors and Global Recognition
Mike Marr’s formula for growth has not gone unnoticed. In 2020, he received the Sir Peter Blake Leadership Award, New Zealand’s highest recognition of leadership. He was also awarded the Beta Gamma Sigma Medallion for Entrepreneurship in 2017, the first time it was awarded outside of the United States, and was named a finalist in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in 2014.
These accolades affirm his standing as not only a successful entrepreneur but also a respected leader whose influence reaches far beyond his own ventures.
A Future-Focused Vision
Looking ahead, Mike Marr remains committed to expanding TPT Group’s impact by focusing on technology, sustainability, and community investment. His belief that every business must continually reinvent itself ensures that TPT Group is well-positioned to thrive in an era defined by disruption and change.
From his beginnings as an electrical apprentice to building a $100M family office, Mike Marr’s journey underscores a simple yet powerful formula: leverage technology, apply smart strategy, and make disciplined investments. It is a formula that has transformed companies, empowered communities, and positioned Mike Marr as one of New Zealand’s most influential business leaders.
