What does it take to change an entire industry?

In this episode of Home Run, David sits down with Leonie Freeman, CEO of Property Council New Zealand, to mark 30 years of realestate.co.nz and explore the remarkable story behind New Zealand’s property industry transformation.

Leonie takes us back to 1996, when online property listings were still viewed with plenty of skepticism, and shares how realnz.co.nz became the foundation for what would eventually become realestate.co.nz.

But this conversation goes far beyond the origins of online property search.Leonie opens up about some of New Zealand’s biggest housing and property challenges—including RMA reform, development levies, seismic standards, urban density, Build-to-Rent, infrastructure, climate risk and managed retreat.

She also shares her views on creating greater efficiency across the development system, unlocking land and infrastructure, and building a more diverse property industry that creates opportunities for the next generation of leaders.

From pioneering online real estate listings to advocating for major change across New Zealand’s property sector, Leonie’s career offers a fascinating look at where the industry has come from—and where it could go next.

In this episode:

00:00 – Introduction & 30 years of realestate.co.nz

00:36 – The origin of realnz.co.nz

02:02 – Meeting Peter Cook and the turning point

03:08 – How the name realnz.co.nz was created

04:08 – From property magazines to online search

07:00 – Breaking barriers as a young woman in property

09:10 – Can “Collective Impact” solve NZ’s housing challenges?

10:28 – Housing targets, affordability & homeownership

13:58 – RMA reform and the challenges of implementation

16:40 – Making development systems more efficient

18:54 – Proportionate liability & insurance protection

19:48 – Seismic standards, NBS & managing risk

24:32 – Diversity and the future of the property industry

25:46 – The rise of Build-to-Rent in New Zealand

26:45 – Unlocking land, infrastructure & developer levies

28:40 – Streamlining building product approvals

31:15 – Density, transport & the City Rail Link

34:44 – Climate change, flooding & infrastructure risk

38:25 – Managed retreat, land maps & home insurance

41:20 – The entrepreneurial journey into property management

43:15 – Business lessons: Purpose, authenticity & knowing your “why”

45:58 – Caroline Freeman and breaking new ground

48:20 – Advice for the next generation of property leaders

Home Run is brought to you by realestate.co.nz — exploring the people, ideas and stories shaping New Zealand property.

Subscribe for more conversations with the people behind the property industry.

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