A nickel composite hydroxide represented by Ni1-x-y-zCoxMnyMz(OH)2+A (where 0≦x≦0.35, 0≦y≦0.35, 0≦z≦0.1, 0<x+y, 0<x+y+z≦0.7, 0≦A≦0.5, with M being at least one of V, Mg, Al, Ti, Mo, Nb, Zr and W), a plate-shaped crystal core is generated by allowing a crystal core generating aqueous solution containing cobalt and/or manganese to have a pH value of 7.5 to 11.1 at a standard liquid temperature of 25° C., and slurry for the particle growth containing the plate-shaped crystal core is adjusted to a pH value of 10.5 to 12.5 at a standard liquid temperature of 25° C., while a mixed aqueous solution containing a metal compound containing at least nickel is being supplied thereto, so that the crystal core is grown as particles.