Jackie manages a ten-property portfolio in Wellington and Horowhenua with an exceptional focus on sustainability and quality housing that exceeds compliance standards. Her people-centred approach combines practical property management with environmental innovation, from planting fruit trees to selecting energy-efficient materials. Beyond her management work, Jackie shares her expertise through Tawa Community Education, helping others develop responsible property practices. Her commitment to clear communication, fair processes, and professional standards creates positive outcomes for both owners and tenants, demonstrating that excellent property management and environmental stewardship can work hand-in-hand.

Since becoming a second-chance homeowner in 2018, Jackie has built an impressive portfolio while maintaining a full-time education career. Her tenants consistently praise her responsive, respectful approach, with maintenance issues typically resolved within 48 hours. Jackie’s commitment to continuous learning through NZPIF RentSkills, mentoring, and industry associations ensures her practices remain current and professional. What distinguishes her is the broader purpose behind her investing—she’s passionate about financial literacy, setting an example for her three sons, and providing stable, quality homes that support long-term community wellbeing alongside strong investment returns.

Milan and Petra purchased a dated 1970s Papanui unit for $450,000 and undertook a comprehensive renovation while living onsite to minimize costs. Their transformation included removing the kitchen-lounge wall to create an open-plan layout, fully upgrading the bathroom and kitchen, replacing flooring throughout, and enhancing external appeal with new fencing and low-maintenance landscaping. The results were outstanding: property value increased to $540,000 within months, rental appraisal rose from $480–$500 to $530–$560 per week, and full Healthy Homes compliance was achieved. Their hands-on approach, combined with licensed professionals for critical work, delivered exceptional capital growth and rental returns that enabled their next investment purchase.

Steve Pawson has over thirty years of experience in property investing, with a portfolio of over 50 tenancies. Steve puts his success down to consistently going above and beyond to ensure his property portfolio is well maintained and he provides a safe and healthy environment for his tenants. The judges were unanimous in their praise for Steve’s professionalism and his caring approach to investing. What really stood out were the numerous testimonials from Steve’s tenants supporting his entry.

Isis Winter undertook an outstanding renovation project in Queenstown, a fantastic example of how property investors can improve housing stock and benefit the community while increasing the value and cashflow of their investment. Isis’s project was sparked by the removal of interest deductibility which made traditional long-term residential rental investments less feasible. Isis pivoted into short-term holiday lets, buying two ‘unappealing’ 1980’s townhouses in Queenstown that were already Airbnbs. She transformed them into modern, attractive holiday lets which are highly rated and sought after by visiting tourists.

Andrew bought an old 1960’s property on a large section in Rotorua, fully renovated it and added two more houses, as part of a ‘buy and hold’ portfolio. This is a great example of a property investor increasing the number and quality of housing stock while creating a sound, long-term investment.