Award-Winning Realtor Dominates South Island Industrial Market

Mr. Staite, the director of industrial sales and leasing at Colliers, has received the prestigious title of individual commercial and industrial salesperson of the year at the REINZ Awards for Excellence for the third consecutive year. This recognition highlights his significant contributions to major industrial property transactions in the South Island of New Zealand, where he has played a role in numerous high-profile deals.

Significant Transactions and Market Impact

Over the past year, Mr. Staite has facilitated several landmark sales, including the $75 million Countdown Fresh Distribution Centre, a nearly $54 million portfolio of 13 buildings known as Castle Rock Industrial Park, the $40 million sale of Hellers HQ, and the $39 million transaction of Goodman Glassworks Industrial Park. His track record reflects a deep understanding of the Canterbury industrial market, which has attracted increasing national investment.

Mr. Staite expressed his gratitude for the award, emphasizing the importance of recognition within a competitive national landscape. “Time in the seat and experience has probably helped as I’ve been doing this for more than 17 years in the commercial market,” he stated. He attributes his success to a robust network of clients and the strong performance of the Canterbury market, which continues to draw out-of-town capital interest.

Leadership and Team Dynamics

Leading a team of nine brokers, Mr. Staite plays a pivotal role in major listings and sales transactions. This year, notable achievements include the sale of the 32-hectare historic Smithfield meat processing plant site in Timaru, sold by Alliance Group. Mr. Staite noted that while some deals come together quickly, others can take years to finalize. “Some deals arrive with the snap of a finger and others are years in the making,” he remarked.

Despite not keeping a tally of the total value of his sales, which has surpassed the $1 billion mark, he finds satisfaction in the impact of his work. “Seeing our city and region grow is rewarding,” he said. “One of the most enjoyable parts of the job is assisting businesses with finding the right premises to help them expand and the resulting new employment it provides.” His perspective highlights the human aspect of real estate, where facilitating growth contributes to local economies.

The industrial real estate sector is known for its variability, with some markets performing better than others. Mr. Staite noted that Canterbury has excelled in investment stock due to low capital rates and increased interest from outside investors, particularly during a challenging national market over the past three years. Recent months have seen a rise in large-scale transactions and an uptick in land sales, reversing a trend of sluggish activity.

Mr. Staite explained that the region often thrives when agriculture is performing well, as Canterbury has a greater focus on production, export, and distribution compared to other areas that are more consumer-driven. He believes that the current positive momentum will continue as the market adjusts.

The REINZ Awards recognized a total of 46 winners across the real estate industry, with Chief Executive Lizzy Ryley noting that professionals are navigating a changing market and finding innovative ways to grow and support clients. In the residential sector, Bayleys Wānaka was named medium residential office of the year, illustrating the diverse accomplishments within the industry.

As Mr. Staite continues to lead his team and engage with clients, the success of Colliers in the Canterbury industrial market remains a testament to his experience and dedication to the field.