From lifetime leaders to emerging changemakers, the 2025 South Island Property People Awards celebrated the individuals and teams shaping the future of our cities and communities.
Hosted by Property Council New Zealand, the annual event recognises those whose leadership, innovation and collaboration drive progress across the South Island’s property industry.
A lifetime of leadership
The night’s top honours went to Gary Sellars of Colliers, who was named both Bayleys Real Estate Property Professional of the Year and recipient of the Hawkins Supreme Excellence Award.
With a career spanning more than five decades, Sellars has guided the region through economic cycles, market shifts and the long recovery following the Canterbury earthquakes. His long-running Christchurch Market Summit presentations became essential reading for investors, banks and developers. Judges described him as “an outstanding candidate with a long, storied career, consistently contributing to the industry and helping shape Christchurch into what it is today.”
Property Council Chief Executive Leonie Freeman said Sellars’ recognition reflected the human impact of the industry:
“Gary embodies the professionalism, resilience and generosity of spirit that make this industry so special. His knowledge and leadership have helped shape Christchurch into the thriving city we see today.”
Celebrating rising talent and collaboration
The Greenwood Roche Young Achiever Award went to Honor Mills of Tavendale + Partners, recognised for her rapid rise through the legal profession. Now leading a team of eight, she specialises in complex rural property matters and was praised for her “strong values, leadership and ambition to become a managing partner.”
The City Shaper Award was presented to the Māwhera Regeneration Team, a cross-sector collaboration between mana whenua, local government and private partners delivering transformational projects across Greymouth — including the Pounamu Pathway, Greymouth Library, Whare Rua and Shakespeare Clinic. Judges commended the team for “bringing fresh energy to the region and embedding cultural leadership at the heart of regeneration.”
Christchurch’s Youth Hub Team – Naylor Love Canterbury received the RDT Pacific Best Team Award for Te Hurihanga ō Rangatahi, a first-of-its-kind youth facility co-designed with young people to bring health, housing and social services together. Judges praised the inclusive design and collaborative process that made the project a model for community partnership.
Recognising influence and long-term commitment
The Women in Property Award was presented to Hayley Fisher of Warren and Mahoney, a Principal and Group Board Member whose leadership on major civic and tertiary projects has inspired a generation of young professionals.
Graeme McDonald of Bayleys Real Estate received the Long Service Award for more than 25 years of contribution to the industry and two decades of service on Property Council’s South Island Regional Committee.
The Judges’ Choice Award went to Chloe Gordon of WT, recognised as one of New Zealand’s most dynamic emerging leaders. Since relocating to Queenstown in 2023, she has built a thriving WT presence, mentored rising professionals and delivered major projects with calm confidence and technical excellence.
A celebration of people and purpose
Closing the evening, Freeman said the awards are a reminder that the industry’s true legacy lies in people:
“From Gary Sellars’ half-century of contribution to the energy of emerging leaders like Honor Mills and Chloe Gordon, these awards show how property professionals shape not just buildings, but the future of our communities.”
2025 South Island Property People Award Winners
- Greenwood Roche Young Achiever Award — Honor Mills, Tavendale + Partners
- City Shaper Award — Māwhera Regeneration Team
- RDT Pacific Best Team Award — Christchurch Youth Hub Team – Naylor Love Canterbury
- Women in Property Award — Hayley Fisher, Warren and Mahoney
- Bayleys Real Estate Property Professional of the Year — Gary Sellars, Colliers
- Property Council Long Service Award — Graeme McDonald, Bayleys Real Estate
- Judges’ Choice Award — Chloe Gordon, WT
- Hawkins Supreme Excellence Award — Gary Sellars, Colliers