Award-Winning Realtor Dominates South Island Property Market

Mr. Staite, the director of industrial sales and leasing at Colliers, has been named the individual commercial and industrial salesperson of the year at the REINZ Awards for Excellence for the third consecutive year. His exceptional contributions have significantly influenced the South Island’s industrial property market, with involvement in numerous high-profile transactions.

Among his notable achievements are the sales of the $75 million Countdown Fresh Distribution Centre, a $54 million cluster of 13 buildings known as Castle Rock Industrial Park, the $40 million Hellers headquarters, and the $39 million Goodman Glassworks Industrial Park. Mr. Staite expressed his gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the importance of being acknowledged within the competitive landscape of national agencies.

His extensive experience, spanning over 17 years in the commercial market, has contributed to his success. “Time in the seat and experience has probably helped,” he said, attributing part of his achievement to a robust network of clients and the overall strength of the Canterbury market. He noted that the Christchurch area has increasingly attracted national investment, a trend he finds encouraging.

“Out-of-town capital interest in Canterbury is increasing year on year, which is really positive,” Mr. Staite explained. This influx has enhanced liquidity and contributed to better results for the region’s real estate sector. The loyalty of clients has played a pivotal role in Colliers’ business, with many returning for repeat transactions.

Maintaining a disciplined work ethic is crucial for a successful salesperson, according to Mr. Staite. He described the need to adapt to market fluctuations and emphasized the importance of achieving a work-life balance, especially during weekends. He manages a dedicated team of nine brokers who collaborate on major listings, ensuring a comprehensive approach to client needs.

This year, significant transactions included the sale of the historic 32-hectare Smithfield meat processing plant site in Timaru, sold by Alliance Group. Mr. Staite noted that while some deals materialize quickly, others can take years to finalize. He takes pride in seeing these transactions come to fruition, although he has not set specific career targets or tracked the total value of his sales after surpassing the $1 billion mark.

While the Countdown sale occurred a few years ago, Mr. Staite highlights multiple career milestones, including substantial design-build leasing transactions. Recently, he facilitated the sale of a property for just over $40 million, marking the second time the asset had been sold, a reflection of the enduring relationships he has built.

In addition to sales, Mr. Staite has been involved in large leasing deals, including a design-build warehouse spanning approximately 25,000 square meters currently under construction in Hornby. He finds motivation beyond financial rewards, stating, “Seeing our city and region grow is rewarding.” Assisting businesses in finding suitable premises, ultimately leading to new employment opportunities, adds to the satisfaction of his role.

The industrial real estate sector varies significantly, with certain markets outperforming others. Mr. Staite pointed out that Canterbury has excelled in investment properties due to low capital rates and increasing external interest, even as the national market faced challenges over the past three years. Recent months have seen a resurgence in large-scale transactions and a gradual uptick in land sales, which had been sluggish prior.

He mentioned the correlation between agricultural performance and real estate success in Canterbury, a region that leans towards production, export, and distribution rather than consumer-focused markets typical of other areas.

The REINZ Awards recognized a total of 46 winners across various sectors within the real estate industry. Chief Executive Lizzy Ryley remarked that professionals in the field are navigating a changing landscape and finding innovative ways to support their clients. In the residential category, Bayleys Wānaka received the award for medium residential office of the year, demonstrating the competitive spirit and adaptability of real estate firms across the country.