Following approval at the 2022 REINZ Annual General Meeting, we are delighted to announce the election of three new Life Members. John Abbott, Peter Neylon, and Carey Smith were each recognised for their dedication and contribution to REINZ and the wider real estate profession.
John Abbott
John has been involved in the real estate profession for over 40 years and has contributed much of his expertise to REINZ. At just 19, John was an award-winning Sales Consultant, in his early 20s he graduated to Branch Manager, and in his late 20s owned a boutique real estate agency with several colleagues — Argyle Real Estate.
John has led training programmes, been Chief Judge of the REINZ National Real Estate Auctioneering Championships and was Chair of the REINZ Auction Special Interest Group. He has a reputation for both sales prowess and auctioneering ability.
Peter Neylon
Peter worked in several Cantabrian real estate businesses before opening an agency with his wife in 1994. In the same year, Peter was elected to his local REINZ District Committee and later served as District President for Canterbury, Westland. Peter was also elected to REINZ’s National Council, where he was a strong advocate for raising professional standards. He was also actively involved in lobbying Government in the transition of the Real Estate Agents Act.
Peter’s adult working life has been committed to the real estate industry in all its iterations and he continues to believe that serving REINZ and its members over two decades was a highlight and a privilege.
Carey Smith
Since 1998, Carey has been the Chief Executive of Ray White. He has supported the growth of many individuals and real estate businesses through his position. Those he has worked with all share a collective commitment to professionalism and the industry.
While Carey’s achievements and initiatives are related to his loyal and long tenure at Ray White, his unwavering commitment to the betterment of the industry has benefited the wider real estate community. Carey has a genuine passion for the industry and its people and is always looking to give back to the community. Auctioneering at many charity events and a proud sponsor of Ronald McDonald House Charities, personally sponsoring a room at the House, doing so for many years.
Speaking at the REINZ AGM, Bridget Coates, Chair of the Board, said: “REINZ Life Membership is a huge honour. It is recognition by the profession and peers of the significant contribution and service to the profession made by an individual.”
The first Life Member of REINZ was appointed in 1926. With the addition of John, Peter and Carey there is now a total of 69 REINZ Life Members.