New Zealand/ wins Trans-Tasman Auctioneering ‘Test’

News release 23 October 2014

New Zealand/ wins Trans-Tasman Auctioneering ‘Test’

In a five way contest Andrew North of Harcourts New Zealand won the final of 16th Australasian Real Estate Institutes’ Auctioneering Championship held in Auckland today.

Two New Zealanders and three Australians vied for the title at the ‘Bledisloe Cup of Real Estate’ held at the Auckland Events Centre. Daniel Coulson and Andrew North represented New Zealand up against Harry Li from Victoria and Justin Nickerson and Jason Andrew from Queensland. The five finalists had been chosen the previous day from a field of 16 contestants representing the real estate institutes of the Australian states and territories, and of course New Zealand.

All five were set the same task – to auction an executive five bedroom, three garage house with lap-pool in Auckland’s suburb of St Helier’s. The contest involved responding to the challenges of a pre-scripted bidding sequence designed to test their skills.

Commending Andrew North on his victory, the judges said: “This has been a glittering array of Australasia’s very best callers. All five have their supporters in the audience, all five felt they could and would win. Their attention to detail, their training regimes and an insatiable desire to reach their Everest sees them gather for a unique moment in time. There was no cheap winner in 2014.”

Real Estate Institute of New Zealand Chief Executive Helen O’Sullivan says while the competition was an entertaining two days with plenty of humour and good natured Trans-Tasman rivalry, there was much more serious intent to the competition.

“The annual competition brings together the best auctioneers from both countries to pit their skills and wits against each other. While we love a contest with the Aussies, it is the pursuit of excellence on the part of experienced auctioneers and the inspiration to others commencing their careers that is the heart of this contest.”

The competition is held annually, with New Zealand playing host once every four years. The event will be hosted in Victoria next year and in Alice Springs the following year.

Ends

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