Bayleys' Gisborne rural team shines at 2023 REINZ excellence awards

Bayleys national rural director Nick Hawken accepted the award for best small rural team on behalf of the Gisborne Bayleys rural team. It was presented by Stephanie Ryan (left) from Ignite Colleges. REINZ chief executive Jen Baird (right) said the awards night was testament to a resilient and forward-thinking profession. Picture by Zahn Trotter

It is said size does not matter, and that was certainly the case for Bayleys’ Gisborne rural office team this week, walking away with a top industry award.

The team was awarded the top small rural office of the year at the 2023 REINZ Awards for Excellence — New Zealand’s annual national awards evening for the real estate profession.

“We were honoured to receive the award across all real estate agencies nationwide,” Bayley’s Gisborne director Simon Bousfield said.

“For a team of only four agents, to top the country was huge for us. We are very stoked with the result.

“The award was based on the 2022/23 financial year. Relative to last year, the rural transactions have been a lot fewer this year as most would expect given the challenges our rural landowners have faced.

“We are seeing interest build for all types of rural property as we move towards spring, and as land access opens up further, and spring growth comes through, activity will continue to build.”

Mr Bousfield is one of the four in the winning Gisborne rural team. The others are Stephen Thomson, Jacob Geuze and Nikky McHugh.

The REINZ Awards for Excellence is one of the most prestigious events on the real estate industry’s calendar. It celebrates New Zealand’s top real estate agents across all sectors, business brokers, and property managers.

“Congratulations to all our finalists and winners of the 2023 REINZ Awards for Excellence,” REINZ chief executive Jen Baird said.

“The quality, commitment and innovation shown by this year’s finalists and winners is a testament to a resilient and forward-thinking profession.”