Hon Simon Bridges

Associate Minister of Justice

1 July 2016 Media Statement

Real Estate Agents Authority appointments

Associate Minister of Justice, Simon Bridges, announced today that he has reappointed Mr Aaron Bhatnagar and appointed Ms Karin Thomas as members of the Real Estate Agents Authority.

Mr Bhatnagar is reappointed for a second term. Ms Thomas replaces Mr David Russell who has served on the Authority since its inception in 2009. Both appointments will commence on 1 July 2016 for a term of three years.

“I am pleased the Authority will retain the experience of Mr Bhatnagar and gain someone with the experience and expertise of Ms Thomas,” Mr Bridges says.

“I would also like to acknowledge the out-going member, Mr Russell, who has brought a wealth of knowledge of consumer rights issues to the Authority and has played a significant part in the Authority’s successful establishment.”

Since the Authority was established in 2009, it has brought about considerable change to how the real estate industry is overseen.

“The Authority is a Crown agent responsible for promoting high service standards and professionalism in the real estate industry. It plays a vital role helping protect participants in the property market.

“It provides information to buyers and sellers, provides guidance to agents, and deals with complaints about agents’ behaviour,” says Mr Bridges.

Background information on appointees

Aaron Bhatnagar is a professional investor and venture capitalist based in Auckland. He is a committee member of the New Zealand Shareholders Association Auckland Branch, and a member of the Institute of Directors. He served as an Auckland City Councillor during 2007-2010, where he held the Deputy Chairmanship of Finance, and was then Chairman of the City Development Committee (economic development, town planning, and infrastructure). Mr Bhatnagar was also an accredited RMA Hearings Commissioner between 2009 and 2013.

Karin Thomas holds a law degree and post graduate diploma in strategic leadership and management from the University of Waikato. She has worked in both private practice and as an in-house counsel in Auckland, Wellington and Timaru and is now a senior commercial lawyer in private practice in Hamilton. Her areas of expertise include, farm succession planning, asset protection, property law including rural and residential conveyancing, trusts and company law. She is a member of the Institute of Directors and serves on two charitable trust boards.

ENDS

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