Australia and New Zealand are battling it out again, but this time the two countries are going head to head at the 2018 Australasian Real Estate Institute’s Auctioneering Championships, with the winner to be crowned Australasia’s best auctioneer at a gala dinner tonight.
The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) is playing host this year and the five finalists who will compete in Auckland are: Bronte Manuel representing South Australia, Mitch Peereboom of Queensland, Andrew North of New Zealand, Alec Brown of the Australian Capital Territory and John Bowring also representing New Zealand.
Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) President Malcolm Gunning said the competition is an extreme test of the auctioneers’ skill and ability, and highlights the best the industry has to offer.
“With two finalists, New Zealand look very strong,” he said.
“Justin Nickerson of Queensland took out the championships last year for the second year in a row and the Kiwis want revenge this year.
“They could just make it happen, with NZ’s Andrew North a winner of the 2014 Auctioneering Championships. He does, however, face strong competition from Bronte Manuel, who was a finalist in 2017, while Alec Brown is the first representative of the ACT to make the final in its 20-year history,” Mr Gunning said.
“The quality is truly exceptional and a great spectacle, with participants creating momentum in the bidding while building rapport with the crowd.
“Devised bidding processes test the Auctioneers’ aptitude, attention and ability to think on their feet, and to be successful competitors have to deal with a wide range of testing questions and unpredictable bids. Combining skill, professionalism and technical knowledge, the candidates are highly accomplished, high-energy performers,” he said.
Open to the public, the Australasian Auctioneering Championships host 22 auctions over two days.
Earlier today the five finalists were given details and a tour of the property to be ‘mock-sold’ in the auctions to decide the winner of the highly prestigious title of the Australasian Real Estate Institutes’ Auctioneering Champion for 2018.
The third Schools Auctioneering Championship will also be conducted, with Rose Elliott and Max Hart of Kerikeri High School, Russell representing New Zealand – the first time New Zealand has been involved in the Schools Auctioneering Championships. Enrique Bisbal of Endeavour College and Vincent Doran of Underdale High School will represent South Australia and Conall Cassidy of Launceston Church Grammar School will represent Tasmania. The aim of the Schools Auctioneering Championship is to introduce students to the world of real estate, making it a first-choice career.
Winners of the Australasian Real Estate Institute’s Auctioneering Championship and the Schools Auctioneering Championship for 2018 will be announced during a gala dinner to be held in the Maritime Room, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland.
Update: Congratulations to Andrew North from Harcourts Cooper & Co in NZ who was named the winner last night.
