Award-Winning Realtor Drives Major Industrial Sales in Canterbury

Mr. Staite, director of industrial sales and leasing at Colliers, has been recognized as the individual commercial and industrial salesperson of the year for the third consecutive year at the REINZ Awards for Excellence. This accolade highlights his significant contributions to the Canterbury industrial property market, where he has been involved in most of the major transactions on the South Island.

His impressive track record includes pivotal deals such as the $75 million sale of the Countdown Fresh Distribution Centre, the $54 million acquisition of the Castle Rock Industrial Park, and the $40 million sale of Hellers HQ. Additionally, he facilitated the $39 million sale of the Goodman Glassworks Industrial Park. Mr. Staite expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, “Time in the seat and experience has probably helped as I’ve been doing this for more than 17 years in the commercial market.”

He attributes his success to a robust network of clients and the overall strength of the Canterbury market. “Out-of-town capital interest in Canterbury is increasing year on year, which is really positive and means more liquidity and some better results coming in,” he noted. Mr. Staite emphasized that client loyalty is crucial, with many returning to Colliers for their real estate needs.

Market Dynamics and Personal Approach

Mr. Staite leads a team of nine brokers at Colliers, collaborating on significant listings. This year, they successfully sold the historic 32-hectare Smithfield meat processing plant site in Timaru, previously owned by Alliance Group. He elaborated on the nature of deals, explaining, “Some arrive with the snap of a finger and others are years in the making.”

While he takes pride in the sales he facilitates, he has not set specific career targets or tracked the total value of his transactions after surpassing the $1 billion mark. He highlighted the satisfaction of seeing properties sold multiple times, referencing a recent sale of over $40 million that marked the second transaction of that property.

In addition to sales, Mr. Staite is involved in large leasing agreements, including a design-build warehouse of approximately 25,000 square meters currently under construction in Hornby. More than just financial incentives motivate him; he finds fulfillment in contributing to the growth of businesses and the local economy. “One of the most enjoyable parts of the job is assisting businesses with finding the right premises to help them expand and the resulting new employment it provides,” he remarked.

Canterbury’s Resilience and Future Prospects

The industrial real estate market often experiences fluctuations, with varying levels of activity in sales and leasing. In Canterbury, investment stock has performed exceptionally well due to low capital rates and a surge in out-of-town interest, especially in recent years when the national market faced challenges.

Despite a subdued leasing market, Mr. Staite noted that several large-scale transactions have been completed recently, and land sales have seen a rise in activity, with more properties sold in the past few months than in the 18 months prior. He attributed Canterbury’s robust performance partly to its agricultural sector, which drives production, export, and distribution, distinguishing it from more consumer-focused markets.

The REINZ Awards recognized 46 winners across the real estate industry this year. Lizzy Ryley, the chief executive of REINZ, acknowledged the adaptability of real estate professionals in navigating a constantly changing market, emphasizing their commitment to supporting clients.

With his extensive experience and deep understanding of the local market dynamics, Mr. Staite continues to be a significant figure in Canterbury’s industrial real estate landscape, driving growth and facilitating important transactions that shape the region’s economic future.