Two of the property industry’s most respected leaders have been honoured as this year’s Property Council New Zealand
Members’ Laureate, a lifetime membership awarded once a year at the Property Council New Zealand Rider Levett Bucknall
Property Industry Awards. Having both devoted several decades of service to the property sector, Peter Mence and John
Dakin have been hailed as “leaders for good”, consistently devoting as much time into developing their teams as they
have developing property.
An engineer by trade, Peter Mence has spent the past 40 years working in and contributing to the property industry
working with Progressive Enterprises, Challenge Properties, Richard Ellis and Green and McCahill.Peter Mence
Peter joined Armstrong Jones (NZ) in 1994 and was appointed General Manager of Argosy (then known as ING Property Trust)
in 2007. Instrumental in the rebranding and internalisation of the company’s management, Peter was appointed Chief
Executive of the business in 2009, a role he still holds to this day.
Peter is a Fellow of the Property Institute and is a past lecturer in Advanced Property Management at The University of
Auckland and a current Trustee of Saint Andrews Village, and the New Zealand Sailing Trust. In 2013 he was honoured with
the Stuart McIntosh award in recognition of his contribution to the University of Auckland.
Peter was previously National President of Property Council New Zealand, having served three years between 2015 and
2018. During this time Peter demonstrated exceptional commitment to the organisation and to ensuring its future was
secure, whilst also taking a keen interest in the development of Property Council’s staff and its services.
Meanwhile, the second recipient of this year’s Members’ Laureate is John Dakin, chief executive of Goodman. John has
spent over three decades in the property industry, including property and corporate transactions, valuations, research,
asset management and investment management.John Dakin
During his career John has held senior roles in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. John’s first involvement
with the Property Council was his appointment as research manager in 1993. Four years later became the National
Director, a role he held for four years before heading to Australia to progress his career in the property funds
management sector.
John relocated back to New Zealand in 2003 and in 2004 was appointed CEO of Goodman (NZ) Limited following Goodman
Group’s acquisition of the management contract of Colonial First State Property Trust, subsequently rebranded Goodman
Property Trust.
In the 17 years since, under John’s leadership the portfolio has grown from assets of approximately $225 million to $3.6
billion (as of March 2021), making it New Zealand’s largest listed property entity.
John has actively been involved with the Property Council since his time as staff and has moved on to become a strong
member supporter, Industry Leader, National Councillor and recently, National Chair from 2018 to 2020.
His time as National Chair was dominated by the accomplishment of joining forces with incoming chief executive, Leonie
Freeman, to drive inspirational change at Property Council. John’s service in his term as National Chair saw the
organisation reposition to create a more modern, contemporary and future-focused organisation representing the property
sector. John was instrumental in launching Property Council’s commitment to Diversity and Inclusion in 2018 and is an
active champion for change in our industry. His contribution was further enhanced as he Chaired Property Council through
the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19 in 2020.
Property Council chief executive Leonie Freeman says: “It gives us great pleasure to present this year’s Member Laureate
to not one but two deserving recipients. I’d like to personally congratulate both Peter and John for this well-earned
award and thank them for their enormous contribution to both the property industry and the wider community.”
For more information on the Property Council New Zealand’s Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry Awards, and a full
list of winners and nominees, visit the Awards website.About the Property Industry Awards
The prestigious Property Council New Zealand Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry Awards are presented to outstanding
property projects, developments or substantive refurbishments across New Zealand. The Awards recognise properties that
provide an outstanding return and/or delivery of service potential on investment of funds. For some this means a return
on speculative investment; for others it means creating a development that supports productive activities, which creates
value for both owners and users.
The Property Council New Zealand Members' Laureate honours those individuals who have made an outstanding contribution
to both the organisation and wider property industry. This lifetime membership is awarded once a year at the Property
Council New Zealand Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry Awards.