Sir Ron Brierley was born in New Zealand and became an investor in Australia

Millionaire businessman Sir Ron Brierley has been charged for the alleged possession of child pornography.

The 82-year-old was arrested at Sydney International Airport while on route to Fiji on Tuesday at 6.30am.

Brierley was born in Wellington, New Zealand, and became a feared investor and corporate raider in Australia, retiring this year after a career spanning 60 years.

He was knighted in 1988 and is a former trustee of the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The arrest followed an investigation by Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command, launched in August, into child abuse material in the area.

Brierley allegedly had 207,000 child abuse images and 500 videos at the time of the search, The Australian reported.

Police described the material as 'very sexualised, not violent' and 'involving young children'.

Brierley allegedly said he found the material interesting'.

More electronic devices were seized when his home was searched.

Brierley was knighted in 1988 (left) and is a former trustee of the Sydney Cricket Ground. He retired this year after a career spanning 60 years

In a statement, NSW Police said he was arrested at Sydney International Airport on Tuesday about 6.30am.

Brierley, who lives in the eastern Sydney suburb of Point Piper, was stopped at the airport by Australian Border Force officers.

Detectives searched his carry-on luggage before the contents of his laptop and electronic storage devices were reviewed.

He was taken to Mascot Police Station and charged with six counts of possess child abuse material.

He has been granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Monday 10 February.