Wellington Branch - Interest Group

Seventeen years ago, during my thirty nine years as a chartered accountant, and partner / director / shareholder of Munro Benge Chartered Accountants Limited, Wellington, through the firm we became the manager of the Wellington Branch of the Property Council of NZ.   After the National Council restructured and took over managing the Council’s various branches, I joined the Wellington Executive in 2010.

I am now an Independent Consultant at Munro Benge.  My client base has included some large businesses, sole traders, partnerships, family trusts (many as an independent trustee), unions, top of mind charities, SME’s, annual compliance, tax advice, consultancy, valuations, some litigation support and previously, audits.  Some of those owned various properties, including some with significant commercial property interests.  My association with Property Council of NZ has been most worthwhile and helpful to me.

My current charitable involvement is seventeen years a trustee of the Ronald McDonald House Wellington Trust and for the last four years a trustee of Ronald McDonald House Charities New Zealand. Our firm is a member of BKR International, an independent association of worldwide accounting firms.  I was a Board member for seven years of the Asia Pacific Region (2004 to 2011) and Asia Pacific Chairperson for the last two of those years.  I was a Worldwide Board member from 2009 to 2011.

Turning to Wellington, recently compiled statistics entitled Economic Significance of the Property Industry to the Wellington Economy, show that in the year to March 2016, the Property Industry contributed $8.6 billion to the Wellington Economy.  This includes a direct impact of $3.3 billion and flow-on (indirect and induced) impacts of $5.3 billion.  It is important to note that this does not include capital gains from the appreciation of land and property values. In addition, 17,260 employees were directly employed in the Property Industry in March 2016, accounting for 8% of total employment in Wellington.   That is a significant involvement by our members and others.

Earthquakes have highlighted issues that have to be dealt with.

As a Branch, we are continuing effecting change through our advocacy, events program, and collaboration with like-minded organisations including of course Wellington City Council. 

To do that we need your support please.  Our members are at the very core of what we do every day.  Get involved!   Also, please tell us what you seek from your membership, what events, topics and speakers you would like to hear. 

Priorities for Wellington Branch 2017: