NEWS RELEASE
18 December 2006
New Harcourts Office in Buoyant Taumarunui
The positive local economy of Taumarunui which is finding itself increasingly attractive to skilled workers and families
seeking a rural community lifestyle is now home to a new Harcourts office. Harcourts Business Owners Ken McGrath and
Melanie Barker recently opened the doors to Harcourts Taumarunui to complement their three other very successful offices
in Otorohanga, Te Kuiti and Te Awamutu which are steadily building marketshare.
Their latest office which was opened to meet local demand, has been well received with a “superb response” and over 30
exclusive property listings currently being marketed. “People just pour through the door and tell us they really
appreciate the extra service Harcourts is providing, thanks to our Manager John Rothery and his team,” Mr McGrath said.
He added, “The town really is ‘on the up’ and over recent years has become a very attractive rural community with lovely
scenery where it’s really nice to live.” The combination of an average three bedroom home now selling for around
$130,000 (a considerable increase over recent years), the town within an hour and a half of Auckland, and good
employment opportunities in industries from rural to building, means skilled workers and families looking to enjoy a
slice of genuine rural New Zealand are being welcomed.
Mr McGrath noted that as well as city families enquiring about moving to the country, all four of his offices were
experiencing an increasing number of UK and overseas buyer enquiries.
Having opened the new office just on a month ago, Mr McGrath said all Harcourts Taumarunui team members live locally and
between them have considerable experience and expertise. They include a dedicated rural specialist, and four
residential/commercial specialists. One member was a top local sales consultant who joined from another brand, while
another recently moved back from Auckland where she was working with a major real estate brand.
Harcourts New Zealand CEO, Bryan Thomson, said, “This new office is another critical link in our business plan to ensure
every viable marketplace in New Zealand has access to our internationally recognised services through committed local
real estate professional. Local buyers and sellers of rural, residential and commercial properties in this vibrant
community can be assured of exceptional service and results.
ENDS