Paul Billinghurst and Neville Ruske honoured with first-ever Max Raine Award in NZ

Highlights

• Raine & Horne New Zealand held its first standalone National Conference in Rotorua, uniting professionals from 60+ offices for two days of learning, networking, and inspiration.
• Hosted by television personality Hilary Barry, the Gala Awards Night celebrated sales, property management, and franchise excellence, with a traditional Maori welcome and an atmosphere of pride and community spirit.
• Raine & Horne Tauranga | Mt Maunganui | Katikati | Waihi | Waihi Beach won dual Top Office awards and directors Paul Billinghurst and Neville Ruske became the first NZ recipients of the prestigious Max Raine Award for leadership and entrepreneurship.

Raine & Horne has marked a major milestone in its New Zealand growth journey with the successful staging of its first-ever standalone National Conference, held at Rydges Rotorua on 12–13 August.

The event brought together real estate professionals from more than 60 offices nationwide for two days of inspiration, learning, and connection. Alongside keynote presentations from adventurer Kevin Biggar and psychologist Dr Paul Wood, five speakers from within the Raine & Horne network – ranging from high-performing sales agents to business owners – shared powerful and down-to-earth stories of on life, survival and success.

The program concluded with a spectacular Gala Awards Night hosted by television presenter Hilary Barry. Opening with a traditional Maori welcome, the evening celebrated excellence across sales, property management, and franchise categories.

Among the standout office winners was Raine & Horne Tauranga | Mt Maunganui | Katikati | Waihi | Waihi Beach, led by directors Paul Billinghurst and Neville Ruske of the NRG Group, which claimed dual honours as Top Office – Top Producer (GCI – Sales Dollar Value) and Top Office – Top Seller (Sales Units).

For the first time in New Zealand, the prestigious Max Raine Award for integrity, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit was jointly presented to Mr Billinghurst and Mr Ruske by Angus Raine, Executive Chairman of Raine & Horne. The award commemorates Max Raine, who served as Chairman from 1973 to 2011 and was a pioneer of real estate franchising in Australasia.

In the individual sales categories, Bernadette Griffiths of Raine & Horne Mt Maunganui was crowned Top Salesperson – Top Producer (GCI – Sales Dollar Value), while Nicky Bax from Raine & Horne Thames took out Top Salesperson – Top Seller (Sales Units).

Christian O’Malley from Raine & Horne Cashmere secured first place in the Top Sales Value – Team or Individual category, and Rhonda Bradley of Raine & Horne Dargaville was recognised with the Sales Growth Award.

In the franchisee awards, Adrian Louttit of Raine & Horne Rangiora won Top Franchisee – Top Producer (GCI – Sales Dollar Value), with Tina Lawson and Nick McIsaac-Luke

from Raine & Horne Parklands taking the Top Franchisee – Top Seller (Sales Units) title. Rozie Khan from Raine & Horne Manukau was recognised with the Franchisee Growth Award.

James Shepherd, General Manager of Raine & Horne New Zealand, described the conference and gala awards night as a landmark moment for the Raine & Horne brand in New Zealand.

“Our first standalone national conference wasn’t just about business growth—it captured the camaraderie and unity that makes Raine & Horne unique in New Zealand,” Mr Shepherd said.

“The gala awards night was truly special, with the entire room cheering, clapping, and celebrating their peers who won awards. The atmosphere was one of genuine joy and community spirit.”

Mr Shepherd added, “What struck me most was the balance—there’s healthy competition driving our people to achieve more, but at the same time, a remarkable willingness to support and lift each other up. It’s an exciting time for our rapidly expanding network.”

2025 Gala Awards – other major winners

• Auction Shield – Raine & Horne St Martins
• Top Auction Lister– Rhys Chamberlain, Raine & Horne Alexandra | Cromwell
• Brand Awareness Award– Lee Johns, Raine & Horne Timaru
• Best New Talent – Salesperson – Renee Hayward, Raine & Horne Timaru
• Outstanding Office Support – Lisa Lindsay, Raine & Horne Mt Maunganui
• Outstanding PM Office– Raine & Horne Mt Maunganui
• Outstanding Property Manager– Nicola Connor, Raine & Horne Mt Maunganui