The 2023 Auckland Property People Awards hosted over 330 guests at The Hilton this evening for a spectacular gala dinner.
The awards, which celebrate and recognise the people behind some of the city’s most inspiring and impressive projects, were well supported this year with a record 38 nominations across nine categories.
The winners for 2023 were:
Barker & Associates Supreme Excellence Award and Rider Levett Bucknall Outstanding Leadership Award
Mark Synnott, Colliers
Highly respected for his integrity, professionalism, innovative mindset and passion for the industry, Mark Synnott’s name is synonymous with the Colliers brand in New Zealand.
As one of the firm’s first three employees when it officially expanded into New Zealand in April 1989, Mark has built a 34-year career that saw him grow from Leasing Agent to CEO.
Mark has inspired hundreds of young professionals across the industry to progress a careers in commercial property, providing guidance and mentoring that have left a lasting legacy.
Congratulations, Mark!
Hawkins Sheree Cooney Memorial Young Achiever of the Year Award
Milly McArthur, The Building Intelligence Group
The judges were hugely impressed with Milly’s energy and motivation, traits which have seen her quickly rise the ranks from new grad to Senior Project Manager at The Building Intelligence Group in six short years.
Over this time, Milly has grown to take ownership of projects, become a gifted mentor and valued team member, focused on encouraging the next generation of project management professionals. A natural leader and strong supporter of diversity and inclusion, Milly’s ability to tackle any project, willingness to pay it forward and drive to ensure best practice is maintained made her a standout nominee in a competitive awards category.
Impressive, innovative and with maturity beyond her years, Milly is potential personified.
Auckland Airport Best Team Award
Auckland Zoo South East Asia Precinct Team
Beca, Auckland Zoo / Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, NZ Strong, Jacobs, Ignite Architects, Studio Hanson Roberts, Stevens Lawson and Harrison Grierson
Auckland Zoo’s South East Asia Precinct ‘Jungle Track’ is the biggest and most ambitious project embarked on in the Zoo’s 100-year history. Over a six-year period, the precinct was transformed to emulate the natural environment of the animals, while preserving the integrity of the facility.
The project team’s objective was to provide a world class enclosure for five species, improve animal welfare, enhance visitor experience, and upgrade existing infrastructure to preserve the integrity of the zoo precinct – an ambitious feat that has been spectacularly achieved.
The judges commented on the shared passion demonstrated by each project stakeholder, the unique and complex nature of the project and the team’s decision to co-locate with the client, all of which resulted in an outcome that exceeds expectations.
Beyond the project delivery, the management style of the team is to be aspired to; they fostered an inclusive workplace, respecting individual skills, background and values. Milestones were celebrated, personal fatigue levels were monitored and open discussions around resource commitments were encouraged. They walked the talk, with exceptional results.
Congratulations to the Auckland Zoo South East Asia Precinct Team, including Beca, Auckland Zoo / Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, NZ Strong, Jacobs, Ignite Architects, Studio Hanson Roberts, Stevens Lawson and Harrison Grierson.
Ignite Architects Urban Design Award
Alistair Ray, Jasmax
One of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading Urban Designers, Alistair Ray has worked tirelessly over his thirty-year career as a respected leader, champion, advocate, and educator in Urban Design.
Currently helping to lead the establishment of a professional accreditation in Urban Design through the newly announced Urban Design Institute Aotearoa (UDIA), Alistair has made a sustained and significant contribution to advancing the discipline and quality of Urban Design, not just in Auckland but across New Zealand.
The judges commended Alistair on his enormously positive legacy involvement in iconic projects that are transforming Tāmaki Makaurau.
Alistair’s lifetime of dedication has made our industry and our region a better place.
Resene Women in Property Award
Edith Chan, Warren and Mahoney
Edith has a long and distinguished property career and is a true role model both within Warren and Mahoney and across the sector. As Chair of the Auckland Chapter of NAWIC, Edith is dedicated to building capability, sharing experiences and encouraging participation across gender and cultural diversity.
The judges recognised Edith’s experiences at the highest level of project design and delivery, noting her clear and concise communication and documentation as central to her success in the field. A strong advocate for sustainability and mentorship, Edith’s progressive and passionate approach have created a legacy for those women who follow in her footsteps.
Congratulations, Edith!
Stride Property Group Property Professional of the Year Award
Richard Goldie, Peddlethorp
A well-known and respected face in the Auckland property community, Richard has worked on projects across Auckland and throughout New Zealand, ranging from city-scale master planning and large buildings, through to bespoke housing and retail – many of them award winners.
Richard exemplifies the benefit of living through curiosity, research, engagement, and abundant enthusiasm, reminding us all that we – as an industry – are providers and curators of the spaces where people live and thrive, and we have a profound privilege and responsibility to this.
The judges are delighted to award Richard with the Property Professional of the Year Award, noting the enduring benefits his work has gifted to Auckland and the property community.
Congratulations, Richard!
C3 Construction Excellence in Sustainability Award
The Bader Ventura Passivhaus Team
Kāinga Ora Homes and Communities, Peddlethorp Architects, Precision Construction, Oculus Engineering, Kirk Roberts Consulting and 2PIR Consulting
A benchmark in residential development, the 18-unit Bader Ventura project is the first Kāinga Ora home to achieve the new Homestar v4 Standard 7-star rating and the first to achieve the Passive House Standard.
The Bader Ventura Passivhaus Team, which included Kāinga Ora Homes and Communities, Peddlethorp Architects, Precision Construction, Oculus Engineering, Kirk Roberts Consulting and 2PIR Consulting, showed a high-level of commitment, skill and training to bring such a design to life.
New Zealand should be proud to have a social housing provider that has stepped up to address the pillars of sustainability, climate, social and financial challenges. Beyond the project, the Bader Ventura Team has created something that can be benchmarked, learned from and further enhanced in future.
Congratulations to the Bader Ventura Passivhaus Team – Kāinga Ora Homes and Communities, Peddlethorp Architects, Precision Construction, Oculus Engineering, Kirk Roberts Consulting and 2PIR Consulting!
Property Council Judges’ Choice Award
Richard Hilder, Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited
A nominee in the C3 Construction Excellence in Sustainability category, the judges commended Richard as a leader making a real impact on Auckland.
In addition to the scale and responsibility of his role as Chief Financial Officer for Precinct Properties, Richard has also championed and led Precinct’s sustainability strategies.
His leadership and vision, both internally, and externally across the property industry has taken Precinct Properties to its market-leading sustainability position, with the organisation expecting to achieve net-zero carbon emissions for all buildings under its direct operational control for 2030.
Richard continually uses an innovative lens when developing strategies across sustainability initiatives, in particular adapting to climate change. He is always challenging the norm and thinking about new technology which can provide an opportunity to reduce both embodied and operational emissions.
The judges commended Richard’s leadership and genuine drive to take a long-term view of sustainability best practices. Congratulations, Richard!
Martelli McKegg Long Service Award
John Bayley, Bayleys Real Estate
John established Bayleys Real Estate in 1973 in South Auckland with his parents, Graham and Pam, later expanding in the Auckland region then across New Zealand and into Fiji to consolidate a national and Pacific network of Bayleys offices.
John is known for his almost instinctive ability to sniff out new opportunities and be the first to make the most of them.
John and his brother David pioneered new offshore markets for clients’ properties in the wake of the late 1987 share market crash and introduced portfolio marketing to New Zealand. These initiatives proved invaluable again after the Global Financial Crisis in 2008.
In 2014, The Bayleys Foundation was established to give back to New Zealand communities with a strong focus on causes promoting the environment, people, sport, arts and culture.
The following year, John was recognised for his lifelong dedication to the real estate profession, becoming a Life Member of Real Estate Institute of New Zealand, a rare honour given to less than 100 people in 100 years.
In 2019, Bayleys expanded its global footprint through a strategic partnership with independent real estate consultancy, Knight Frank and John and David were inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame for their decades of service to the real estate industry.
As a principal shareholder and chairman of Bayley Corporation, John remains active in the day-to-day transactional and governance side of Bayleys working with private and corporate clients nationally and internationally.
Today, Bayleys is the country’s largest full-service real estate company with 100 offices and 2200 people.
In September, Bayleys celebrated 50 years in business and John reflected on how proud he felt of the people who’ve been part of the journey so far and how fortunate he felt to share the experience with his partner, brother, and best friend David.
Congratulations John!