Returned expat and licensee of the new Harcourts agency at Coopers Beach Murray Bright went to work in Western Australia in 1974 and became one of the success stories of the Australian real estate industry.
He was number one salesperson for several Western Australian real estate companies including Harcourts; hasbeen runner-up for top salesperson for Harcourts Australia; in the top five for Harcourts International; in the top four salespeople out of 17,000 agents working in the Western Australia real estate industry.
He and his wife Wendy have now settled in the Far North after carefully working their way through a check list of requirements for their new home over a two or three year period. These included no below-zero temperatures, being able to catch fish within walking distance of the house, and convenient access to facilities like food stores, medical centres and airports.
A section was bought at Taipa in 2007; a house completed in 2010; and then his mind turned to introducing Harcourts to the Far North. Finding the right premises took time but a series of moves which followed the completion of a new Four Square shop at Coopers Beach freed up some space at the shopping centre. The business officially opens today.
"I suppose I am bucking the trend by coming back from Australia," he says.
"Many people in the Far North are moving to centres where there is more work or going to Australia.
"The region is facing the toughest conditions of anywhere in New Zealand. Levels of sales do not compare with what is going on in Western Australia where mineral wealth is keeping the state affluent and economically active.
"But the lifestyle here, the ambience, the climate are quite unique and it's time will come again.
