There are new faces behind Ray White Pukehina as husband and wife team Janelle and Quintin Havenga take over the reins from former owner Rochelle Carter.
Mr Havenga has over a decade of experience as a real estate agent, building a successful career at Ray White Papamoa, while Mrs Havenga had been working as a solicitor before completing her real estate licence, working as a sales agent for seven years, and taking over ownership of Ray White Pukehina.
Locals to the Pukehina area, Mrs Havenga said the pair had built a strong bond with Ms Carter.
“We have known Rochelle, the previous owner, for many years. She has always said when she was ready to sell she would give us the first option to take over the business,” Mrs Havenga said.
“She is staying on at Ray White Pukehina as a salesperson with her husband Neil Carter.”
While Mr Havenga will continue to work as a salesperson at Ray White Papamoa as well in his role as a business owner at Ray White Pukehina, Mrs Havenga will be charged with running the Ray White Pukehina office.
The couple have strong ties to the Pukehina community.
“My family has been here for 37 years and we own a dairy farm here across the road from the beach,” Mrs Havenga said.
“We own a lifestyle block here and my whole family lives here. We also got married here.
“We also have a blueberry orchard in the area and we employ locals here during harvest. We would love to support a lot of the local schools, the surf club, and the Pukehina fire brigade.”
With their background in agriculture and horticulture, Ms Havenga said they hoped to expand the business to have a more rural focus.
“I have a strong understanding of rural real estate fundamentals and am looking forward to building out our rural offering. Additionally, we will be seeking to grow our rural team and are on the lookout for people that would be well suited to our values and direction,” she said.
“For so many years Rochelle focussed on the beachfront and built up market share there, but we’d really like to focus on ensuring people are aware that we’re more than just the beachside residential market.
“Auctions are a pillar of both our own success and that of the Ray White group, we believe that the local community will greatly benefit from and appreciate the transparency that the method of sale offers.
“We want to breathe new life into this opportunity that we have.”
Ray White New Zealand chief executive Daniel Coulson congratulated the Havengas on their new business.
“The combination of Janelle and Quintin’s professional knowledge and experience as well as their deep connection to the local community make them the perfect candidates to lead Ray White Pukehina into its next chapter,” Mr Coulson said.
“We are thankful for the contribution of our previous business owner, Rochelle, and the fact that she will remain in the business is great for the local market, the new owners and the Ray White Group”.
“With many plans and changes already underway, we are looking forward to sharing in the ambition and success of our new business owners in Pukehina.”