Inspirational real estate agent retires due to ill health

Dean Pettit (left), principal agent for PGG Wrightson Real Estate, with Dannevirke's Paul Clayton and his wife Diane, at a farewell to Mr Clayton last week. Photo/Christine McKay

After 12 years in real estate in Dannevirke, 11 of them with PGG Wrightson, Paul Clayton says he now plans to do something for God.

Mr Clayton, who has multiple sclerosis, has been a in a wheelchair since 2010, but has continued the real estate career he began in Dannevirke in 2006 with Hawke's Bay Realities.

PGG Wrightson bought the company in 2007 and Mr Clayton has continued with them.

"In the time I've got left, it may be a long time or a little time," he said. "But I want to do something for the Lord.

"It's been fun and I've been fortunate to have had a lot of help from a lot of people. But things have gotten to a point where I can't continue with what I'm doing here.

"People have been very good and I couldn't have done this job without my colleagues and the vendors and purchasers of the properties."

Mr Clayton said he was extremely proud of the high value sale he made just at the time of the changeover to PGG Wrightson.

"It was the most expensive sale recorded in Dannevirke at the time," he said.

Dean Pettit, principal agent for PGG Wrightson Real Estate, said in his 10 years with the company he'd heard plenty of grizzles and moans, but never from Mr Clayton.

"He's inspirational and positive," he said. "If you've ever had a bad day, just give Paul a call, I'd tell people."

Jim Ecclestone, from PGG Wrightson in Matamata, was unable to attend Mr Clayton's farewell, but sent a letter.

"There's some degree of sadness that you are leaving," he wrote.

"You have given great service and I've admired your tenacity and commitment in business and in your personal life. You have prevailed and battled on."

Mr Clayton was known for his perseverance, loyalty and passion.

"You have inspired, but I know it's not been an easy road," Mr Ecclestone wrote.

For nine years, Mr Clayton has written a monthly real estate column for the Dannevirke News on Saturdays, which was very well received.

"People liked the specialised facts on our local area," he acknowledged.

Gavin Henricksen retired from his job at Dannevirke PGG Wrightson five years ago, but was one of the many people who returned to say farewell to Mr Clayton.

"I really admired Paul, especially when he told me he was stumbling because of his MS," he said.

"You have carried on despite your limitations. PGG Wrightson is a family business and you are part of that family. You really deserve your retirement."

Mr Clayton said the administration at PGG Wrightson, Dannevirke, Waipukurau and Whanganui, had been fantastic.

"Gavin Henricksen was wonderful and as my condition worsened he was a great help," he said.

"Carole Isaacson also worked here, before she retired, and she was a real blessing.

"Everyone has supported me and encouraged me to carry on and when the occasional sale came through, everyone always encouraged me to carry on."

Staff ensured Mr Clayton would arrive to a cup of coffee and they would cut him a slice of cheese to have with a biscuit.

"I couldn't have carried on without the help of everyone, including my lovely wife," he said.

"This is a great company because of the people."

Mr Clayton said because of his MS he couldn't be certain what would be happening from one day to the next, so didn't have a bucket list. But he would look to do God's work in some way in retirement.

Dean Lindsay has stepped in to take over the rural real estate at PGG Wrightson Dannevirke, as well as carrying on in the livestock division.