"I've been a finalist in this category for several years so I'm also personally proud to be recognised for the dedication and skill I bring to the profession."
Harley has been brokering for 15 years, since 2007, and said women brought a different level of empathy and understanding to the sector.
"More women in the industry as brokers is good for the whole sector."
Starting her career in the kiwifruit industry working with Zespri, Harley then bought her own arboriculture business in 2002, which she later sold.
Landing a role with ABC Business Sales, Harley initially planned to sell horticulture-based businesses but ended up finding a passion for childcare companies instead.
Harley said the principles of being a good business broker were being able to work with a range of people.
"It's not an emotional purchase. It's being able to understand the complexities of the deal.
"Understand what you're selling and match the buyer to the deal.
"I'm not scared to tell anybody this business is not right for you, don't buy it."
The ABC Business Sales Tauranga office was the runner up for Small Business Brokerage of the Year.
ABC Business Sales managing director Chris Small said he was especially proud of the mark being made on the industry by the company's two individual winners.
"The last 12 months with Covid and lockdowns challenges have been some of the toughest on record for the entire industry, so I'm particularly proud of the resilience and effort displayed by all our brokers to win an award that shows we really dug in and completed more deals than our competitors."
REINZ confirmed Harley was the first female winner in the Business Broker Salesperson of the Year category.
Chief executive Jen Baird said the REINZ Awards for Excellence were an annual opportunity to recognise the achievements and successes of people in the profession.
"This year we were impressed, not just by the calibre of entrants, but the growing diversity represented.
"Succeeding in real estate requires a great network of contacts, an inexhaustible work ethic and sheer tenacity, and we were delighted to celebrate this through our awards."
Quickfire questions with Linda Harley:
What are five things people don't know about you?
1. I played underwater hockey for New Zealand for 10 years. We won gold in Montreal in 1988.
2. I am born and bred in Tauranga.
3. I have ridden motorbikes since age 15. My husband and I used to own a motorbike shop. Now, I own an e-bike despite saying I never would.
4. I love gardening.
5. We have a motorhome and are avid travellers.
First paid job?
Working in the Ōmōkoroa Beach Dairy.
Favourite colour?
Blue
When the borders open up, where would you travel to first and why?
Italy. I love that part of the world.
We had to cancel a trip fully booked to go into Alaska just before the first Covid lockdown.
How many countries have you been to?
Probably 30.
Favourite food?
Fresh veges.
How do you drink your coffee?
Black.
How would your family and close friends describe you?
Focussed, driven and passionate about what I do, workaholic.
How would your work colleagues describe you?
The same. High achiever, like to win.
