Meet the Contestants
Megan Davies
I have been intrigued by the Auction process since my days in Hong Kong. An auction campaign is a communicative process and getting the right result is a team effect. Becoming an owner of iSellProperty since my last competition in 2021, I have strengthened my resolve that Auctions are the ‘only’ way to sell. I’m back because the lingering after effect of the camaraderie, coaching, humour and inspiration, I took away a year ago, has most certainly not worn off, but I crave another fix.
027 4821 1757
[email protected]
Tom Lane
A shy country boy from the mighty East Coast of the North Island. Auctions have been apart of daily life, attending stock auctions while still on the hip. In a previous life time, my office was the on the back of a horse. Full time educating young horses, every day was a full of negotiations. All though the office may have changed, now being a rural real estate agent, the daily negotiations are still strong. With public speaking not a strong point, it’s all about self development, since entering my first auction comp 18 months ago, I have also made my theatre arts debut…so far out of the comfort zone.
021 058 7018
[email protected]
Zay Griffith
2021 was my first year in training to become an auctioneer. Exposure to the high calibre of auctioneers at my first ever LVD competition was terrifying to say the least as it was my first time I had ever called an auction. That event however became a launch pad for me to want to achieve more and grow in this craft. I have called and sold more auctions since and while each one is different and challenging it has always been rewarding. I will add that never knowing what the auction will bring, it also keeps me humble!
027 242 2175
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Robert Tulp
Robert Tulp is a man who understands real estate. Since joining the real estate sector in 1992 Robert has filled many roles – Sales Consultant, Manager, Business Owner, Real Estate Mentor and Auctioneer – A career path that has taken him all the way to being the Director of the largest independent real estate Auctioneering company in NZ. He has called auctions in the residential, rural, mortgagee and commercial fields; and has won numerous Auctioneering awards including the inaugural LVD Auction Champs.
021 741 499
[email protected]
Mark McGoldrick
With a spring in his step, a swerve in his swagger and a twinkle in his eye does come Mark to beautiful QT to seek world honours. Having not made the final in the inaugural comp but doing so in 2021, can this encouraging trend continue for the man from Timaru
John Phillips
After several years in Real Estate, I realised my true love was in fact Auctioneering. As much as there are obviously aspects of the list and sell role of a Real Estate Salesperson I thoroughly enjoy, I knew after my first auction sale , this was something I felt I could excel in. After putting it on the back-burner for some time, I took the plunge in 2021 and entered my first Novice competition with LVD, and am now thoroughly hooked, and keen to become an accepted member of the Real Estate Auctioneer fraternity.
Greer Thomas
With a successful track record of Auction campaigns as an agent, and a growing success rate as a newer auctioneer; Greer has had the taste for the auctioneering competition world in 2021 and is back for more! Passionate about Auction from the moment she entered the Real Estate industry, Greer loves the emotion and excitement created on the auction floor where results can be delivered in a matter of minutes. Greer looks forward to putting her skills learnt over the past year to the test at LVD Auctioneering Chamionships.
David Storer
David has been successfully involved in Real Estate all of his life and has been active in the Auckland property market for over twenty years. He is known for his straight-talking, dry humour and enthusiasm for the industry and, in particular, auctions. David is a vital part of the NZ auction culture from which ever way you look at it and proudly states that many of his best friends are auctioneers.
021 400 000
[email protected]
Conor Patton
Conor Patton leads Bayleys’ trusted team of auctioneers. Proven, professional, personable – Conor is a big believer in demonstrating EQ as well as IQ; smarts as well as sociability in order to make meaningful connections at the ‘pointy end’ of the sales process. He works hard to ensure all parties are comfortable and confident, and that every ounce of value is drawn from the process. The opportunity to be put under the microscope as well as a couple of nights in God’s Own to mingle with fellow auction tragics sounds like a sterling idea.
022 062 0681
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Ben Donaldson
I believe auctioneering is a truly astonishing world, with incredible people in it who work hard to achieve the highest etiquette, care and empathy needed in providing the drive to get the best results for our owners. In the 9 years I have worked for Harcourts I have loved being a part of and facilitating people’s biggest decisions and moves they might make in their lives, it’s a real privilege for me and this has certainly fueled my love for the transparency and thrill of the auction room. With my excitable, undeniable presence and positivity to boot, I’ll be sure to get the best possible outcome from both bidders and owners at any auction.
027 858 0240
[email protected]
Annalise Johnsen
Combining a wealth of knowledge and negotiation skills Annalise embarked on a Sales Manager role at Tremains Real estate Taupo in 2020. Building and growing a dream team an auction culture was born for this team which resulted in being awarded the Top office for the Tremains group in 2021. Annalise has a drive and passion for auctions that lead her to become the Auctioneer for the Taupo office. This was a challenging opportunity and a journey that has driven her enthusiasm for the process through results and a belief of her team that we owe it to our sellers to offer a premium method of sale.
021 741 958
[email protected]
Louis Mcdonald
With natural flair and a knack for engaging audiences. Louis’ interest in becoming an auctioneer piqued from the moment he started in real estate.A thriving real estate career has seen Louis conduct many successful auction campaigns in a variety of market trends. In 2021, his auction success was recognised and he was granted the opportunity to take to the rostrum. Louis enjoys the theatrics of the auction room and endeavours to create a comfortable atmosphere to in-still buyer confidence and entice spirited bidding. Aside from auctioning property, Louis enjoys conducting charity auctions for his local community.
021 022 06850
[email protected]
Michael Wilson
A master Manifestor, life living enthusiast, esoteric wanderer and of course an avid Auctioneer aspirer. Through the ever changes of this chaotic world we are in, Michaels’ sole values in life and in the auction room – Authenticity, empathy, laughter, mastery and open and honest communication. Michael secured runner up in 2020 in his very first Auction comp at Reinz in the novvies and now with Covid out the way he can continue his aspirations of levelling up each comp and better himself each time. A proud flag bearer of Apollo Auctions, being an independent auctioneer allows him to continually sharpen his sword in many different markets and agencies. If you are a betting person, put money on him to bring his absolute A-game, always.
022 327 5853
[email protected]
Mike Brown
Mike Brown representing Harcourts Four Seasons, based out of the Hornby office. Second year of competing, called in 2021 at both Harcourts conference and REINZ. Ex livestock agent and Auctioneer who is looking to step up and call Auctions for Four Seasons this calendar year. Approaching three years as a real estate salesperson and have very much enjoyed the journey, and keen to push harder towards my goal of calling full time in the near future. Love the Auction process and truly believe it is the best method of sale straight off the bat for our owners.
021 461 986
[email protected]
Wayne Espie
The thrill of the chase is one thing but the satisfaction of the catch is even better! Having the opportunity to close a big gap in relative milliseconds in terms of the universe makes every Auction call another shot at a “hole in one”. Whether I am digging a Vendor out of a hole or making their wildest dreams come true matters not in the great scheme of things, I never let them walk alone.
028 090 7237
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Shane Cortese
Competitions, always a challenge, but absolutely necessary if you are a dedicated professional. Being one of only a few dedicated full-time auctioneers he has a wide and in-depth knowledge of both the auction process (in-rooms and on-site) and the auction document along with a very clear, calm and precise negotiation manner. Shane has called auctions in all COVID alert levels and will confidently guide you through the Auctions Live and Zoom platforms. You can be assured that no stone will be left unturned in getting the best result for both you and your family
021 555 991
[email protected]
Lisa Yardley-Vaiese
Lisa’s sparkling attitude, dedication and exceptional personal skills are valued by all who work with her and has allowed her to obtain a high degree of success in the Grenadier Auction Rooms. Having worked within the Harcourts Group for 20 years in a variety of roles , selling , managing and ownership, Lisa now enjoys the role of Auctioneer. Winning the “Harcourts Auctioneer of the Year – 2020” was a highlight she is first female ever to take out the title. Lisa is also the first female Auctioneer in 20 years (and only the second ever) to get into a REINZ Auction final as she did in 2020 and 2021. Forging a career in Auctioneering drives Lisa to compete and improve as well as the opportunity of enjoying the fabulous fraternity of Auctioneers from around New Zealand.
Kyle Siebert
Kyle is proud to be an auctioneer for the Harcourts Holmwood team in beautiful Christchurch. He is eager to grow his skill set and looks forward to competing at LVD for the very first time.
Katrina Tombleson
Katrina, a qualified auctioneer, continues to exceed her client’s expectations by helping them get premium dollar for their properties. Katrina is one of only a few female auctioneers in the Waikato, offering this unique service to both her sellers and buyers. Time and again, Katrina delivers clear communication and sharp negotiating skills along with a strong work ethic developed by growing up on an East-Coast farm. She loves to give back to the community that has welcomed her through charity work such as helping with charity auctions and fundraisers.
Ben Deans
Ben has been in the real estate industry for almost a decade and in that time represented over a thousand sets of owners either as a sales consultant or working as an Auctioneer. It is that breadth of experience that he will put to work for you, whether that be ensuring the optimal presentation and marketing of your property, negotiation or simply providing his frank advice on any property questions you may have.
Aaron Davis
I love auctioneering and never truly knowing what is going to happen, which keeps me on my toes. Have been Auctioneering for over 10years and have never stopped learning. I really enjoy the cut and trust of the auction competitions which keeps me on my toes and stops me getting complacent. Now working for the corporate team with Harcourts NZ has been a welcomed change and forcing me to keep working on the legal/technical side of the business. Proud father of two and part time punter and Vegas connoisseur, I would give myself 4 to 1 on the tote, in a quality field. Golf game has been in decline with working weekends, but still really get a kick out of on-site Auctions.
027 275 6165
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Nu Taramai
I’ve always believed in a process that gets results and that happened to be called Auction. It tends to be the hardest method of sale to sell to prospective vendors, especially in our region, where agents find easy ways to discredit the process based on history and a misunderstanding of this method. In a flat or declining real estate market, salespeople have to actually showcase buying public the reasons why they should commit to this particular property over the numerous other properties available at any one time. The public arena an Auction campaign utilizes gives us the edge in gaining a result that a private treaty falls short on delivering.
027 232 4611
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Clarence White
Clarence is a four-time winner of the REINSW Award for Excellence in Auctioneering (2014, 2017, 2018, 2020) and a four time competitor at the Australasian Championships including twice as a top 5 finalist. Clarence spent 6 years calling within leading networks before establishing his own independent auction business in 2018. Clarence works with high performing agents across Sydney’s key prestige marketplaces in the eastern suburbs, north shore and inner west and beaches.
+61 418 687 372
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Joe Snee
Joe came to the Property Brokers family from a senior leadership role at Coca Cola Amatil where he held the role of General Manager. In that role he led a broad team made up of commercial managers, national sales teams, national business managers, trade marketing and brand managers. Joe has built a successful career in sales by putting his people and customers first. He believes that if you look after your people and put your customer at the heart of everything you do, over time you will deliver the best commercial outcomes for everyone involved.
021 891 684
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Sarah Dickenson
A true novice, having not yet called an Auction I am currently undergoing training with Jason Andrews & Gavin Croft in our Queensland Corporate Team. Currently having spent majority of my 12 years in Property Management & Operations, I am expanding my skillset and enthralled to begin my Auctioneer Career.
+61 438 206 902
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Frank Walmsley
Try not to be successful but of value – Albert Einstien. Auctioneering brings so much value to so many people’s lives. I’m so grateful that I get the opportunity to call auctions. My main investment of time is spent in a business that I’m a part-owner of, Fixed Price Extensions and Canberra Granny Flat Builders. I AM AUCTIONEERING when I am not working on and in these businesses. My focus on auctioneering is to be slow, and considerate of buyers whilst using humour and empathy to get the best outcome for my clients. Strongly influenced by PJWalker and MSumich, Im grateful to be here again across the sea learning this great craft of auctioneering.
+61 400 446 605
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Vincent Doran
Young and enthusiastic, Vincent strives to improve and become the best auctioneer he can be. Now a corporate auctioneer for TOOP+TOOP, Vincent enjoys calling auctions on a weekly basis. A passionate individual that loves every aspect of auctioneering and someone who is always willing to listen and learn.
+61 466 229 880
[email protected]
Karin Attwood
They say the first step in dealing with addiction is admitting you have a problem. I admit that I am an Auction Addict. During the two years since I started in Real Estate, I have found myself mesmerised by the theatre of the auction room, the call, counting and quick wit of the Cooper and Co Auctioneering team, and Andrew North’s Dad jokes. If you ever need to find me on a Thursday afternoon, I’ll be easily located in the Harcourts Auction room. Got an onsite auction? I’ll be there, lurking at the back. New Agent? Steer clear unless you feel like an ear bashing about how going to as many auctions as you can, helps in your journey to become a marvellous Agent. When I won the Harcourts Residential Rising Star Award in 2021, every property I sold, was sold via auction campaign. I literally don’t know how to fill out an Agreement for Sale and Purchase (just joking boss) So, what better way to learn even more about the process than to experience it from the other side of the lectern. A wise man once said ‘being put under pressure is a privilege’ I am about to experience huge privilege. (and the bonus – a guaranteed winter weight loss programme) Wish me luck!
021 779 576
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Travers Smyth
Travers brings a fresh approach to the auction room. Known for his quick wit and rapport with bidders – be it online, on site or in rooms – Travers enjoys the thrill of the call and is proud to be a part of the Harcourts Cooper & Co team. As a highly successful real estate salesperson in his own right, ranking in the top 1% of Harcourts agents internationally, Travers’s hands-on understanding of the property market and auction process gives him a unique advantage. Bolstered by strong negotiation skills honed through years of selling property, Travers will stop at nothing to get a result – under the hammer.
027 872 8277
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Mark Morrison
Since entering the Real Estate industry in 2009, Mark has always had a passion for the auction process. He dipped his toes into Auctioneering in 2018 and 2019 at the HarcourtsConference and REINZ Auction Champs & walked away as the champion of the Rising Star category at the REINZ 2019 comp. Mark now calls full time at Harcourts gold in Christchurch.
021 027 20270
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Julia Rust
It’s one thing to make a speech. Then quite another to add in the legalities, count, recall and reconcile numbers all out loud in front of a crowd all the while being enthrallingly entertaining. Now that is a challenge to behold! On this journey, I am constantly learning and growing. I am inspired by and in awe of, this fraternity of Auctioneers that I have been lucky enough to meet over the past 7 years. All of them really loud, humorous people, that generously share this craft and a passion for us all to be better auctioneers.
021 489 169
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Hamish Drumm
Hamish Drumm is one of the leading Lower Hutt Real estate sales & marketing professionals in his field, being well known in the Wellington property market as an Agent & Auctioneer who naturally goes the extra mile for his clients. His track record of no-nonsense results often means he is the agent with a steady reputation that sees him sometimes called in when properties have not sold. Being a formerly experienced Events Manager he is often found involved in the community managing fundraising events & charity Auctions. Hamish loves the auction process, and once again looks forward to rubbing shoulders with some of the top auctioneers within the New Zealand auctioneer fraternity.
Gavin Vize
Gavin proudly represents Harcourts across the Southern Lakes and Central Otago, calling auctions in Wanaka, Queenstown, and Cromwell. With just over 200 auctions called (across 4 years of auctioneering), the LVD presents a great opportunity to learn and benchmark the craft.
02102566759
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Craig McNair
A Rising star winner at the 2013 REINZ National Real Estate Auctioneering Championships. Craig joined the Barfoot & Thompson auction team that same year. Having attended last years LVD competition Craig is really looking forward to catching up again with the other auctioneers and competing in this years competition.
021 554 110
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Ben McNab
Auctioneering captured Ben’s attention since first entering the Real Estate industry in 2015. It brings the best parts of the industry into one room at the same time. Interacting with bidders in a transparent environment and never knowing what the end result will be, keeps the excitement alive. The drive to continuously learn, adapt and be better – both personally and for his team, keeps him on his toes!
027 427 7232
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Sarah Williams
This year I have decided to swap carrying the bags and pole to The Gavel! A true supporter of the auctioneers in past competitions. Eight years real estate experience with Harcourts Mt Albert and the purchase of a new abacus, how complicated can this be?! I am about to find out!!!
021 326 343
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Sean Wakelin
Talking has never been a problem for me and mathematics always a passion, so being in front of a crowd, navigating expectations and directing the flow of events is my happy place! Working predominantly out of the Harcourts Taupo office, I have the pleasure of calling not only across the entire Central Plateau region providing solutions to property needs and maximising the return from sales. Believing that “when you’re green you’re growing and when you’re ripe you’re rotting”, I relish getting together with peers and thus extending our combined knowledge for the overall betterment of our industry overall.
0800AUCTION
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Sandra O'Brien
“I love auctions! I love the crackle and excitement of the auction room on auction day. I love the humour and wit of a clever auctioneer. I love the noise, and the tension. I love the contest. I love the emotion when a vendors expectations are blown away or when a buyers elation is high. And I should love auctions as they have played a big part in my successful 20 year real estate journey. I’ve settled over $225m in real estate sales and the majority of those sales have been via the auction process. I’ve been fortunate to win the coveted Harcourts Gold Auction Excellence Cup on two separate occasions (2012 & 2018) along with the highest Auction Day Clearance Award (2017). And I was very proud to be asked to present as a speaker at the 2017 Harcourts National Conference. It seems natural now that I take passion of auctions a step further. I am excited by the prospect of becoming an auctioneer and look forward to the challenges ahead of me.”
027 448 6270
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Isaac Jakobs
Jumping straight into the deep end is something that Isaac has grown accustomed to and auctioneering is no exception, Isaac has not yet called a public auction. Entering the competition Isaac seeks growth above all else to improve his skills as a future auctioneer. Isaac has a successful auction focused real estate business under EVES in Tauranga and with previous experience in radio broadcasting and event hosting, Isaac believes his skill set will be a strong foundation for a prosperous auctioneering career to come.
022 045 8037
[email protected]
Emma Brown-Garrett
Emma Brown-Garrett is a real estate veteran with over 15 years’ experience, primarily in residential sales. Emma worked as a residential sales agent for 11 years in boutique brands such as Bickmore Hutt Realty, Oxford Agency and Di Jones. Emma is a gifted speaker and presenter. Her transition into auctioneering is a natural progression and she represents one of the most exciting new talents in the Sydney auctioneering space.
+61 415 473 450
[email protected]
Jordan Sievwright
Jordan loves the thrill of calling auctions. Sometimes recognised as the Auctioneer with the big hat and cowboy boots from his time calling auctions in Taupo, Jordan now resides in the gorgeous Bay of Plenty. The move has created a great opportunity for Jordan to grow and develop his auctioneering skills and he looks forward to the challenge of competition this year.
022 094 9645
[email protected]
Daniel Pengelly
With a background as an actor, and theatre director, Daniel is used to working with crowds, and has a talent of bringing something extra to the moment. While new to Auctioneering, and Real Estate, after watching several auctions last year by Chris Kennedy and Phil McGoldrick, he was left inspired to learn more. Dan enjoyed attending Mark Sumich’s introduction course andis excited to be able to attend LVD’s this year for inspiration and learning from the best in the country.
021 127 6320
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