MIL Email Publisher (NZ)

A new real estate brand has launched to meet the modern needs of property vendors and buyers in the Southern Lakes.

The new agency – Aspire Realty – is a future-focused brand that combines deep market knowledge with modern marketing strategies and a personalised, relationship-driven approach. Founded by respected real estate professional, Craig Myles, the agency is based in Wānaka but will represent select properties in the wider Lakes region.
 
“Aspire Realty is about freedom: the freedom to adapt our marketing to our values and our clients’ needs,” Myles says. “We’re creating a bespoke experience without the limits of corporate brands. Even in a high-tech world, people still want genuine relationships and trusted expertise. At the end of the day, it’s the agent who sells the property, not the brand.”
 
With a career sales record exceeding $500 million since 2014, Myles brings extensive local experience and a commitment to transparency. He has spent more than a decade working in the region’s property sector, earning multiple industry awards and building strong relationships across the Southern Lakes.
 
Joining Myles as partner in Aspire Realty is skilled salesman, leader and negotiator George Wallis, who brings high-level expertise from the corporate and automotive sectors.
 
“We’re looking forward to providing an elevated real estate experience that has not been presented in the Southern Lakes before,” Wallis says. “Aspire Realty is about aspiration – not just owning a home but embracing the lifestyle this region offers. We’re proud to bring a modern brand to life that reflects our experience and gives us creative freedom.”
 
The Aspire Realty team also encompasses Emma Pledger, Robyn Myles and Mandy Myles, who have extensive cross-industry experience. While the agency specialises in premium property, Aspire Realty represents a broader range of properties across the region and is launching with a range of high quality listings both on and off market.

Myles says the Southern Lakes remains one of the country's most desirable places to live and invest.

“Buyer behaviour and marketing methods are shifting, but demand here remains strong,” he says. “The investment opportunities and lifestyle here attract buyers from offshore – particularly Australians and ex-pat Kiwis – as well as purchasers from throughout NZ.”

Covering period of Monday 29th September – Thursday 2nd October:

Source: Property Council New Zealand

Property Council New Zealand has welcomed the Government’s announcement to overhaul the assessment of earthquake-prone buildings, calling it a long-awaited reset that addresses the flaws of a regime which has left thousands of buildings empty and communities burdened with unfair costs.

Chief Executive Leonie Freeman says the previous approach, centred on rigid percentage ratings under the New Building Standard (NBS), was confusing, disproportionate, and damaging to towns and cities across the country.

“For too long, shifting rules have created uncertainty, paralysing investment and leaving buildings empty across our cities,” Freeman says. “We’ve long called for seismic standards that are workable, proportionate, and focused on real risk. Today’s announcement is a step in the right direction.”

She describes the old NBS percentage system as arbitrary, with small variations creating major consequences for owners and tenants. “The difference between 66% and 67% NBS could mean whether a building was occupied or left vacant, even though it sits within the margin of error. The system became fixated on numbers that didn’t reflect real safety, while ratings swung every time the rules shifted. It’s no wonder tenants started demanding 80–100% NBS, despite the law only defining ‘earthquake-prone’ as below 34%.”

The result, Freeman says, was particularly tough on smaller towns. “The previous cost burden caused huge disruption in regional towns where remediation simply didn’t stack up. Many owners faced bills in the millions, with no clear pathway forward. Instead of strengthening, buildings were abandoned, becoming derelict and putting communities at greater risk.”

Freeman says the new system finally recognises the need for a more targeted, risk-based approach. “The old regime was like forcing every car to replace its engine every 10 years, regardless of condition. The new approach inspects each car on its age and state of repair, fixing only what needs attention. It’s smarter, it’s fairer, and it focuses on genuine life-safety risks.”

She says the changes will deliver more targeted, practical outcomes. “Recognising that not all regions face the same level of risk is common sense. It allows us to focus resources where they’re needed most – in high-risk areas like Wellington and Napier – while avoiding unnecessary costs in lower-risk regions.”

Property Council has long advocated for a two-tier system that enables greater clarity in seismic decision-making and more stable rules, including a longer review cycle for regulation. While a 20-year review cycle was not adopted, Freeman says it remains an important goal. 

“Shifting seismic standards every few years doesn’t just hurt property owners, it undermines communities. We’ve seen schools relocated into temporary classrooms, small businesses forced to close, and billions of dollars in stalled investment because the rules kept changing. Japan has shown us that stable rules give owners, engineers, and investors the confidence to plan long-term. New Zealand should be no different.”

Looking ahead, Freeman says the reset is a positive step for the property industry and the communities it serves.“Ultimately, the number one priority is safety for our communities. With safe buildings backed by scientific evidence, clear rules, and long-term confidence, we can get our towns and cities thriving again.”