Historic wins – the icing on Tommy’s birthday cake | REINZ Awards 2024

Historic wins the icing on Tommy’s Birthday cake

Tommy’s Real Estate has three more reasons to celebrate its 25th anniversary: historic wins at the REINZ Awards 2024.

For the first time, it won the Real Estate Institute’s Community Service Award (Small) and Sustainability Award as well as the Individual Residential Salesperson of the Year (Sam Newble).

“To win an award at any time is very humbling and to be recognised for the support in the community is very, very special,” Tommy’s chief executive Ben Castle says. “We have been New Zealand finalists for a number of years and to finally crack the ‘winner’ tag is very pleasing.

“At Tommy’s we are big on building long-term relationships and many of our community partners have been a part of Tommy’s for a long period of time. “The award hopefully gives them a sense of pride in helping.  And it will now highlight that we do care, and that care and attention has been recognised as the best in the country.”

Tommy’s remains Wellington’s most industry-awarded real estate agency but Ben says it doesn’t take the accolades for granted.

“We are constantly looking to be better – whether that be our service to our clients and customers or whether it is internal processes and asking the question, ‘How can we be better each day?’ “This is the way Tommy’s was established 25 years ago and having the culture of giving everyone the best experience and ultimately, the best result possible, has not changed.

“The awards are an indication we are doing just that.  It is the people of Wellington and Greater Wellington that make us who we are.”

Ben is especially proud of Sam’s win. “For his hard work to be recognised as the Residential Individual Salesperson in New Zealand is simply outstanding.

“Sam is incredibly diligent and works exceptionally hard to deliver results. He cares a lot about Tommy’s, the future of Tommy’s and Wellington – this award is very well deserved.”

Ironically, Sam nearly missed out on working for Tommy’s. “I started at Tommy’s in 2011,” he says. “I remember it well as I phoned asking for a job and was told, ‘We’re not looking for anyone at the moment.’ But for some reason they changed their mind and hired me.

“I was also very fortunate to work for Nicki Cruickshank for many years. This gave me a huge number of learning opportunities early on.

“We are a local real estate business, largely owned by our staff.  I’m stoked that we somehow manage to punch above our weight, and I’m proud to play a very small part in this.”

What else has stood him in good stead? “I heard at a conference recently that another agency looks for three things in their new staff: they need to be smart, humble and hungry. “I’d like to think I bring these elements to work. I’d also add a fourth: resilience. “There are plenty of days where things don’t go to plan. Being able to work through this has been a useful quality. “

Especially when the Wellington market is so uneven, although Sam is cautiously optimistic. “We are seeing fewer investors actively buying but first-home buyers seem to be out in stronger numbers than last year.

“Numbers through our open homes have been steadily improving. Our sales volume is up on last year and a third of our sales are to unconditional offers, which is promising.

“With recent changes in the Official Cash Rate we are expecting more optimism in the market. “We are also expecting more properties to come to market in the coming months with our office appraisal numbers up on last year.”

Also on the rise: the range, value and awareness of Tommy’s community partnerships. “Since our founding, Tommy’s has always believed that true success is about more than just property transactions, “Head of Marketing, Henry Bong says.

“It’s about the relationships and positive impact we have on the Wellington community. “Our journey of giving back has grown over the years, becoming a cornerstone of who we are and how we operate.”

Tommy’s commitment to supporting essential services began in 2018 as a dedicated Business Partner of Wellington Free Ambulance, the only emergency ambulance service in Greater Wellington and Wairarapa.

Tommy’s pledged an annual donation of $75,000 and since then has donated more than $400,000 to maintain free ambulance services.

“The impact of our support is tangible,” Henry says. “Since 2018, Ambulance 425, which we helped fund, has completed 9,675 emergency responses, 6,580 patient transfers, and travelled over 90,000 kilometres.

“Similarly, Ambulance 488 has undertaken 8,693 patient responses, 5,740 transfers, and covered over 492,000 kilometres.“

He adds the Tommy’s team also eagerly participates in Onesie Day, Wellington Free’s flagship fundraising event. “One of our biggest milestone was in 2021, where we committed $25,000 to help fund Wellington Free’s first Onesie Day ambulance!”

In 2019 Tommy’s pledged $10,000 annually to the Life Education Trust, to help improve the wellbeing of more than 5,000 tamariki and rangatahi across Wellington; last year, as part of Mental Health Week, it raised more than $40,000 to help the Trust reach even more young people in need.

In 2022 Tommy’s joined forces with Everybody Eats, a charity dedicated to tackling food insecurity through the power of community dining.

“Our involvement goes beyond donations,” Henry says. “We roll up our sleeves and get stuck in, volunteering in the kitchen and serving meals. This hands-on approach allows us to witness the immediate impact of our work.”

Tommy’s first annual fund-raising dinner raised more than $8,000 and the second, another $4,000.

“This continued support reflects our belief in fostering a spirit of togetherness in Wellington, ensuring that no one goes hungry,” Henry says.

Sustainability became a focal point for Tommy’s in 2021 when it partnered with Trees That Count, a charity dedicated to planting native trees across New Zealand to combat climate change and restore natural habitats.

“Over the past three years, Tommy’s has committed more than $21,000 to plant over 2,300 native trees in the Wellington region, potentially sequestering more than 545 tonnes of CO2 over 50 years,” Henry says.

“In 2023 alone, 750 native trees were planted as part of the Mākara Estuary restoration project, helping to boost local biodiversity and improve the health of the waterways.

“This project is particularly close to our hearts, as it directly impacts the environment that sustains Wellington. “As our sustainability efforts grew, we looked inward to make more meaningful changes within our own industry.

“In 2019, we partnered with Wise Studios to tackle and try minimise the wasteful nature of real estate signage, traditionally made from Corflute, which is discarded after each use. “Together, we transitioned a switch to Aluminium Composite Material (ACM), a durable and reusable alternative with a lifespan of 7-10 years.

“In addition to this, we opted for eco-friendly Zero vinyls; the Zero stewardship programme which recycled vinyls into fence posts after use, ensuring that even our ‘For Sale’ signs leave a minimal environmental footprint.

“This initiative has significantly reduced our waste output. We’re still a while to go from hitting our internal sustainability goals but we have to start somewhere.”

Tommy’s has strengthened its collaboration with Bluestar, Touchpoints and FUJIFILM to ensure all printed materials meet the highest environmental standards.

“It’s just the beginning for us and we’re committed to do more,” Henry says of Tommy’s community and sustainability initiatives.

“Whether it’s through financial donations, volunteer work, or pioneering sustainable business practices, Tommy’s is committed to making a lasting difference in the place we all call home.

“Wellingtonians value businesses that are purpose-driven, not just profit-driven. Our focus on making a real, tangible difference in the community resonates with them. “People see that our efforts directly benefit the city and its people.

“While we’re proud of the industry awards we’ve won, the recognition we’ve received for our community contributions means the most. It’s a testament to the heart of what we do— helping making Wellington, our home, a better place.”