Strategic thinking notches up win for Christchurch realtor

By JULIA OAKLEY

Commercial specialist Peter Cook, principal and partner at leading Christchurch agency Simes Ltd, was recently named Realtor of the Century by REINZ's Real Estate Journal.

Cook, who is also a registered valuer and auctioneer, won the honour in a close contest between some of the industry's biggest guns, including current REINZ national president Max Oliver and flashy Aucklander Michael Bulgaris. He attributes his win - and his career success - to "a commitment to professionalism and a capacity for strategic thinking."

Like the other finalists - Wellington's Ted Harcourt and the late Hamilton realtor Bruce Lugton - Cook impressed the judges on three counts: his ability to operate a successful real estate business; his willingness to act as a mentor to up-and-coming agents; and his impact on the wider community, both professionally and through public service such as his long-term voluntary service for the Crippled Children's Society in Canterbury.

Cook is married to Margaret and has four daughters. He began his real estate career straight from school in the stock and station division of Pyne Gould Guinness before joining W.E Simes and Co in 1970, which he now operates with business partner David Sutton, Simes' current clients include Christchurch City Council, and many of the city's major banks and churches.

Cook's "multi-million dollar" personal sales record - he doesn't keep a tally - includes the sale of the 6 ha former Addington saleyards for redevelopment, the relocation of the 100-year-old Canterbury AMP Association showgrounds and the sale of the Pyne Gould Guinness woolstore on Moorhouse St.

A fellow of both the Real Estate Institute and the New Zealand Institute of Valuers, Cook has been closely involved in REINZ's restructuring, especially in changes to the constitution and rewriting of the rules.

Elected to the Canterbury/Westland district committee in 1973, he was a national delegate from 1979 until 1987, and served as national president from 1986-88.

He has been active on several boards, including the Housing Corporation, and is vice-president of the Asia-Pacific Real Estate Federation.

A technology enthusiast, Cook also chairs RealENZ Ltd which runs a web site, reputedly the country's third-busiest, showcasing New Zealand real estate listings.

He is very optimistic about the possibilities the web offers for real estate. "We see the internet as providing both a public service and the marketing tool of the future," he says.

"The consumer is in control of information now and we've got to supply it."