Introducing Realtor Of The Century Peter Cook

Press Release
Real Estate Journal

Introducing Realtor Of The Century Peter Cook

A Christchurch real estate agent and registered valuer, Peter Cook, has been declared the New Zealand Real Estate Journal’s “Realtor of the Century.” Mr Cook is managing director of Simes Limited in Christchurch, a real estate company established by the late W E Simes in 1900.

The editor of the Real Estate Journal, Graeme McGregor, said it was a tough call to make as some of the nominess had passed on before members of the judging panel were born. However, they had archival references and were able to narrow down the nominations submitted by readers of the journal to three standout finalists - Peter Cook, Christchurch, Ted Harcourt, Wellington and the late Bruce Lugton, Hamilton.

Peter Cook finally got the nod, a unanimous decision.

All three finalists are/were widely known personalities in the industry. They operated successful realty businesses, were recognised as mentors to those around them, their impact as Realtors spread into the wider community and each contributed to the real estate agency industry in other ways.

Not surprising, therefore, each rose to become national president of the Real Estate Institute and, for standout service, were honoured with life membership - E M Harcourt in 1976, R B Lugton in 1978 and P J Cook in 1995.

Born and raised in Christchurch, Mr Cook joined the stock and station division of Pyne Gould Guinness on leaving school, and stayed with that company for 12 years. He joined W E Simes and Co Ltd in 1970, a real estate agency established by his wife’s grandfather which will celebrate its centennial next year. Today he operates that highly respected Canterbury agency with his business partner, David Sutton.

Mr Cook is married to Margaret and they have four daughters.

Known for his commitment to professionalism and business ability, Mr Cook served on the board of the Housing Corporation and has been frequently engaged in government and other circles as an adviser on property matters. His directorships include Simes Holdings Limited, RealENZ Ltd and Icon Communications Limited and previously he was a director of the Real Estate Network Limited (formerly the Christchurch Multiple Listing Bureau). He has also been a member of several community boards and committees.

An industry front-runner in computer technology, Mr Cook was appointed to the board of RealENZ Ltd – a jointly owned enterprise of the REINZ and the Auckland Multiple Listing Bureau - which he has led to become the operator of the premier website for New Zealand real estate listings.

In announcing the award, the Real Estate Journal, stated that many other worthy nominations were received. They included a founder in 1915 of the forerunner organisation to the Institute, C B Osmond (Auckland), who became the Institute’s first life member in 1926 and later served as national president in 1938-1940, and other early national presidents and leading figures in the real estate industry, L Deans-Ritchie (Dunedin), P B Foote (Timaru), Gordon Harcourt (Wellington) and Reg Newcomb (Auckland).

ENDS

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