Realtor Jason Rickard has won the Individual Rural Rising Star Salesperson of the Year in the 2024 Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) Awards for Excellence.
The Property Brokers Ashburton agent received his award in front of industry peers last week in Auckland.
Rickard said it was a ‘‘hell of a surprise’’ win.
‘‘I knew I was nominated but didn’t know any more than that,’’ he said.
Rickard said when his named was call out ‘‘it was a surprise and a shock’’.
‘‘It’s one of those industries where you don’t do it for the awards, I just love helping people either sell or buy property.
‘‘It’s kind of the thrill of that more so than winning awards.
‘‘It’s awesome to be recognised across New Zealand, but it’s certainly not the reason you do it.’’
Rickard grew up Ashburton and had a career in rural banking and dairy farming before entering the real estate industry in early 2023.
He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) from Lincoln University.
He said his education had given him a better understanding of the rural sector, and helped him better serve his clients.
‘‘It’s just a fantastic start to my real estate career and I’m very fortunate to follow some illustrious real estate agents locally with Paul Cunneen, Chris Murdoch and Greg Jopson.
‘‘It’s been a pretty challenging in the last 18 to 24 months in the whole rural sector, so you feel for everyone that’s been struggling their way through.
‘‘We are part of a fantastic team locally with Property Brokers in Ashburton and with the support from all of those in the office we are very fortunate,’’ Rickard said.
‘‘We are also all heavily involved in the community and that helps in this industry too, because people see you are happy to put back into the community.’’
Rickard lives and farms at Winslow with wife Rachael and their three children.
Outside of work, he has a lifelong passion for rugby.
He played and then coached at club and representative levels, and has taken on a board role with Mid Canterbury Rugby.
At the awards, a total of 46 honours were awarded in 10 categories, such as rural, residential sales, innovation, community and agency.
REINZ chief executive Jen Baird said the event was incredibly uplifting after a tough year for the sector, and it was filled with unexpected moments and new winners.
