OUT & ABOUT

Ray White New Zealand partners with Three's The Block NZ

For the fifth season in a row, Ray White will be the exclusive agency partner for Three's The Block NZ.

Back on screens for its 10th season, The Block NZ: Redemption is sure to present some exciting twists and turns.

Located in the beachside suburb of Orewa, just 45 minutes north of Auckland's CBD, there's something for the whole family. Orewa brings together location and lifestyle for the ultimate living experience, with markets, eateries, parks, and fantastic schools.

NZ real estate agency wins big at 2022 Asia Pacific International Property Awards

New Zealand Sotheby's International Realty (NZSIR) took home the official title of 'Best Real Estate Agency 5-20 Offices New Zealand', having been awarded the only five-star accolade in its category.

The Asia Pacific International Property Awards are judged by an independent panel and identify the highest achievers in the property industry, from architecture and development through to interior design and real estate.

Mark Harris, NZSIR Managing Director, says winning the award is an honour for the company and symbolic of the talent and dedication of NZSIR agents and team members across the country and its head office in Queenstown.

"We are thrilled to win this award and be recognised as leaders in our industry in the Asia-Pacific region. NZSIR has enjoyed an extraordinary year in terms of sales and achieving record results for our vendors, and this award is an extension of that," says Harris.

NZSIR also won the Best Real Estate Agency Marketing New Zealand award. The accolade automatically makes NZSIR a contender to win the Asia Pacific regional award and, if successful, a finalist in the upcoming International Property Awards, to be held in London later this year. The International Property Awards determine the world's finest property companies.

Forbes Global Properties expands to New Zealand

Forbes Global Properties — a curated consumer marketplace of luxury homes and an invitation-only membership network of top real estate firms, has proudly welcomed boutique brokerage PQ Property Intelligence to its prestigious ranks.

PQ Property Intelligence provides purchasers and vendors with local knowledge and international capabilities, offering a full-service package from acquisition through to settlement. It is the first firm to be awarded membership in New Zealand, where it will exclusively represent the brand.

Headquartered in Wellington, PQ Property Intelligence is headed by prime property expert Anthony Morsinkhof. Along with his deep experience in the residential home market, Anthony has also developed a strong reputation in sourcing and selling significant property developments both overseas and in New Zealand.

"Our team of top-tier property specialists is dedicated to providing clients with the very best market knowledge and the finest international exposure for their homes," says Anthony Morsinkhof, Managing Director of PQ Property Intelligence.

"The Forbes Global Properties network and its exclusive marketing services offer an unrivalled global platform for presenting luxury properties in New Zealand to both a local and international buying audience," he concludes.

NZR Feilding moves into premises

NZ Real Estate (NZR) is currently located in six locations across the Lower North Island and has recently celebrated the opening of new premises for their Feilding franchise.

What was a semi-industrial building in the main street of town (Kimbolton Road) has had a major refit done, creating an office environment on par with any high-end professional office.

NZR was started just over eight years ago in Feilding by owners Peter and Nicola Barnett, and until recently, operated from the former doctor's surgery rooms located at the front of their home at 20 Kimbolton Road. Other founders, Jamie Proude and Blair Stevens, own other offices as well as other franchises in Gisborne and Napier.

"We are lucky that the industry offers the potential for people to progress to ownership; it's definitely been the best financial decision we have ever made," says Peter Barnett.

Ray White trademarks 'Competition Creators'

In a world first, the Ray White Group has successfully trademarked the phrase 'Competition Creators'.

The phrase was coined by the group's chairman Brian White AO and is now interwoven into the everyday language at Ray White when referring to auctioneering and the auction process.

A trademark is a type of intellectual property consisting of a recognisable sign, design, or expression that identifies products or services from a particular source and distinguishes them from others.

Ray White now has the term registered in Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. This trademark distinguishes Ray White's group from all other real estate businesses.

Ray White's high-performance national training focuses on creating competition in all markets.

OUT & ABOUT

Property Brokers expands C&I presence in Tauranga

Property Brokers has expanded its commercial and industrial property market presence in Tauranga — marking the third branch for Property Brokers in the wider Tauranga location.

"Philip Hunt and his team are proven performers and have built an enviable business and reputation across Tauranga. We are excited to expand our commercial holdings across New Zealand and, in particular, Tauranga City. It's a significant growth corridor for the industrial and commercial sector in the North Island," says Simon Short, Property Brokers' Bay of Plenty and South Waikato Regional Manager.

Under Hunt's ownership, Ray White Commercial Tauranga enjoyed a significant market share of Tauranga's real estate for many years and was recognised as the Top International Branch for Customer Service for five years in a row.

"We've long respected and admired Property Brokers, their infrastructure and associated networks are massive, and their marketing and network reach is something which I know our clientele will truly benefit from here in Tauranga," says Hunt.

Lou Newman celebrates 45 years with Harcourts

For 45 years, Lou Newman has been a part of the rich blue fabric that makes up Harcourts. Having achieved this milestone in July, he was presented with his special Long Service Award at the Harcourts Wellington Region Quarterly Awards in August.

Lou has been a business owner, manager, and auctioneer over the years, and Harcourts greatly appreciate everything he has done for the business over his long tenure.

High achievers at Wallace & Stratton

Old Hollywood Glamour was the theme at the 2022 Wallace & Stratton Annual Awards evening held at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

Entertainer extraordinaire of stage and screen Jackie Clarke, hosted the evening. She had the audience in the palm of her hand as the team celebrated the best of the best for the previous year.

Highlights of the night included the announcement of the Wallace & Stratton Award that went to Taylor Serage and the Rising Star award that Tamara Markovic won. Top Seller Award (Properties) in residential went to Keri Gerrard, while (Volume) was won by Sarah O'Gorman. In developments, Mitchell Eades won both top awards achieving the highest number of properties and volume throughout 2022.

LJ Hooker jumps for cancer

LJ Hooker agents asked the public if they ever wanted to push a real estate agent out of a plane. Why, may you ask? To raise funds for the Cancer Society with a skydive — a jump for cancer initiative.

Collectively, members of the LJ Hooker Family from Auckland, Matamata, Palmerston North, Oamaru, Lake Tekapo, Twizel, and Dunedin raised nearly $30,000 as part of its fundraising effort.

Vicky Ward from LJ Hooker Pukekohe was the driver behind the fundraising initiative. At first, she was surprised members across the LJ Hooker network supported the idea.

"The support from the LJ Hooker Family was just amazing — the fundraiser blew up! We had agents from all over the country joining in — even agents we haven't met were keen to put themselves out there for a great cause," says Ward.

At the end of the fundraiser, 18 members of the LJ Hooker family, including salespeople, property managers and administrators, had to walk the talk, putting on a brave face as they jumped for cancer. Harcourts Cooper & Co are proud to encourage tamariki on the North Shore to participate in the North Harbour Junior Rugby school tournaments. This year, 67 primary schools and 15 intermediates participated in the events, including an incredible 97 non-contact female teams spurred on by a North Harbour Rugby drive — encouraging more female primary school students into the sport.

Cooper & Co's community relationship programme has supported the tournaments for five years. The positive feedback received this year from schools and families stems from the long-awaited opportunity to get large groups of children together safely in an outdoor environment after the challenges of COVID-19.

Martin Cooper, Managing Director at Harcourts Cooper & Co, says the tournaments provide great opportunities for young people to give tackle and rippa rugby a go, be competitive, have fun, and develop skills and a good understanding of the game.

"We take our Coffee & Cone van along to some of the tournament days, and the proceeds go back to the local rugby club where the tournament was held on the day. It's great fun, and our communities really appreciate it."

Cooper & Co's community relationship team supports more than 1,800 community groups, including local school fairs and running events, swimming carnivals and Santa parades.

North Harbour rugby supported by Cooper & Co

Property Brokers raises over $70,000 for charities

The 17th annual Hawke's Bay Charity Auction saw Property Brokers raise more than $70,000 for Hawke's Bay charities and the Community Fund.

Four hundred people attended the auction to support Hawke's Bay Cancer Society, Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter, and the Property Brokers Hawke's Bay Community Fund.

The auction event didn't disappoint, with sensational items and experiences up for grabs. The sell-out evening saw 44 items auctioned and an additional 38 items in the silent auction.

"It was another really successful event; hundreds of people came together at the Toitoi Hawke's Bay Arts and Events Centre in Hastings to have a great time and bid up large," said Joe Snee, Property Brokers Hawke's Bay Regional Manager.

"This amazing result wouldn't have been possible without the hard work of the incredible Property Brokers team, our generous sponsors and supporters, and the wonderful Hawke's Bay community who put their hands in their pockets to support these wonderful causes."

Quickfire Qs with Vanessa Golightly

Principal at Ray White Papanui, and REINZ Regional Ambassador in Christchurch

Did you always want to be a real estate professional?

No not at all, it wasn't even on the radar. Once I completed my business degree, I took an office job and it just so happened to be on the front desk of a real estate company! The rest is history and 17 years later I am now a business owner.

What do you love about what you do?

It's a profession where the harder you work the more you can earn and there aren't too many careers you can say that about. It's also varied and challenging, every day is different!

What is the best advice someone has given you about real estate?

Trust the process. Don't speak on behalf of your vendors, always present interest to them. Robust vendor communication is key, you can't have too much. Don't turn the buyers and sellers against each other in negotiations, it won't help. Instead, express the gratitude from each side for their interest, their offer, and their participation in the negotiations and so on.

What is your top tip for someone starting out in real estate?

Have the ability to float yourself financially for 12 months and start in a successful team — it is hands down going to give you the best springboard in your career versus trying to start out alone.

When you’re not on the job, how do you like to spend your down time?

Planning renovations, working in the garden, moving furniture around at home (drives my husband nuts), watching property renovation programs, reading home magazines, listening to podcasts, writing editorial content for my social media accounts, I am one big property geek!

To hear more from Vanessa, check out REINZ’s property podcast Real Estate of Mind. In Episode 3, Jen Baird, Chief Executive at REINZ and Vanessa explore the Canterbury market, the importance of bringing emotional intelligence to the fore of every transaction, how to find the perfect balance of being professional and personable, and more. Listen to the podcast on Spotify.

SPOTLIGHT

Barfoot & Thompson host annual Starship Quiz Night Fundraiser

Barfoot & Thompson brought together over 600 of their people to show support for the Starship Foundation's life-changing work in an evening filled with laughs, celebrities, good food and friendly competition.

Branches, internal departments, executives, and suppliers teamed up to bring their unique knowledge and competitive flair to the evening, all while uniting to support the company's longstanding and largest community outreach effort — the Starship Foundation.

The event was an opportunity to celebrate the people at Barfoot & Thompson's fundraising contribution over the years — across an individual, branch and brand level. As a five-star partner for over 19 years, the company's efforts have contributed to state-of-the-art medical technology, refreshed and modern procedure rooms and wards, and the Neonatal Transitional Care Unit — an industry-leading and New Zealand first in best practice care. The night raised over $268,000 for the Starship Foundation — their largest fundraiser to date. Barfoot & Thompson would like to extend their greatest thanks to all their generous guests, sponsors, donors and volunteers who made the night an incredible success.