Colliers marks 35 years in business in NZ
After starting as a small brokerage firm focusing on Auckland’s CBD office market, Colliers New Zealand has rapidly grown to become one of the leading property industry organisations with more than 750 employees in 30-plus offices across the country.
This week marks 35 years in business for Colliers and Gareth Fraser, Colliers New Zealand CEO, says the anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect.
“It’s impressive to think of how far we have come in our 35 years of operations. We first opened less than two years after the Black Monday share market crash that wreaked havoc in the property market,” Fraser says.
“We are incredibly grateful to the team members who helped put the foundations in place that have shaped the direction we have taken.
“The depth and breadth of the services we provide across more than 20 service lines from project management through to brokerage means we are unrivalled in the market with our offering to clients and striving to give them the best possible service remains our key focus.
“On top of our award-winning brokerage teams, our rural and agribusiness division has enjoyed a prosperous decade of high performance and our partner offices throughout New Zealand continually achieve exemplary results.
“Our market-leading professional services teams continue to work closely with some of New Zealand’s most highprofile corporate and government clients, while the expansion of our Project Leaders service is a major step forward for the growth of our business.”
Some of the team members who have helped establish Colliers in New Zealand include director of office leasing Paul Dyson, who marks 35 years with the business this week, as well as Mark Synnott, who is now the company’s executive chairman after more than 28 years as CEO.
Auckland managing director Charles Cooper has been with the company 33 years, while Rob Bird, national director of office leasing, ticked past 30 years with Colliers in March, and national director of industrial Greg Goldfinch will bring up 20 years in April.
Peter Herdson, national director of capital markets, logged 30 years at Colliers late last year.
Valuation consultant Nigel Dean will also celebrate his 35th anniversary later this year.
Chief financial officer Peter Herbert retired from Colliers at Easter after 31 years with the organisation.
“We are proud of the work environment we have created that allows people to achieve their potential while doing their utmost to accelerate the success of their clients and those around them.”
Fraser says the business will continue to look forward amid testing market conditions that have been impacted by high interest rates and an inflationary environment following the spikes of the Covid era.
“I have a positive outlook for how 2024 will shape up and I know we have a highly talented and engaged team that will ensure we are endeavouring to deliver exemplary results for our clients,” he says.
“Our business has navigated multiple stages of the property cycle during the past 35 years, and we have team members with extensive levels of expertise to help guide us and our clients during the current market conditions.”