Top Auctioneers Crowned At 2026 REINZ National Auctioneering Championships

The 2026 REINZ National Auctioneering Championships, held in Auckland from 20-21 April, delivered two days of outstanding talent, energy and skill, with New Zealand’s top auctioneers going head-to-head for the national title.

From those just starting out in their auctioneering journey to seasoned professionals at the top of their game, this year’s competition brought together a powerful mix of experience and emerging talent. It’s this blend that makes the Championships so compelling – not only a chance to compete, but an opportunity to learn, push boundaries and raise the bar for auctioneering across New Zealand.

That skillset matters, because auctions continue to play a vital role in the New Zealand property market. In many regions and market conditions, auctions can account for a significant share of sales activity – bringing buyers together in real time and offering speed, certainty and clarity on price.

Against that backdrop, the level of competition over the past two days was exceptional, with auctioneers tested on their ability to think on their feet, engage buyers and maintain control under pressure. The following winners and runners-up were crowned across each division:

Senior Premier Division

Winner: Conor Patton – Bayleys

Runner-up: Mark McGoldrick – Harcourts

Senior Open Division

Winner: Jack Sumich – Harcourts

Runner-up: Daryll Roberts – Ray White

Rising Star Division

Winner: Sharni Bichan – Refined Real Estate

Runner-up: Will Tremain – Tremains Real Estate

The calibre of competition across all divisions reflected the depth of auctioneering talent in New Zealand, with finalists demonstrating exceptional control, adaptability and engagement in the auction environment.

In addition, the following auctioneers from the Senior Premier Division will represent New Zealand at the 2026 Australasian Auctioneering Championships (AUSTROS), taking place in Melbourne from 19–21 May:

• Mark McGoldrick – Harcourts (Senior Premier runner-up)

• Travers Smyth – Bayleys (Senior Premier finalist)

• Dan Pengelly – Harcourts (Senior Premier finalist)

• Shane Cortese – Harcourts (Senior Premier finalist

They were among the Premier Division finalists competing alongside winner Conor Patton – Bayleys, who is unable to attend AUSTROS this year. The selected competitors will now take to the international stage to compete against the best from Australia.

Now in its 26th consecutive year, the REINZ National Auctioneering Championships celebrates excellence in auctioneering and highlights the critical role auctioneers play in delivering successful outcomes for buyers and sellers across New Zealand.

Past winners of the REINZ National Auctioneering Championships

1996 – Roger Loveridge (Accredited), Neil Newman (Licensed)

1998 – Roger Dawson (Accredited), David Clifton (Licensed)

2000 – Neil Newman

2002 – Murray Smith

2004 – Roger Dawson

2006 – Phil McGoldrick

2007 – Mark Sumich

2008 – Mark Sumich

2009 – Mark Sumich

2010 – Chris Kennedy

2011 – Mark Sumich

2012 – Daniel Coulson

2013 – Andrew North

2014 – Daniel Coulson

2015 – Andrew North

2016 – Andrew North

2017 – Ned Allison

2018 – Andrew North

2019 – Aaron Davis

2020 – Ned Allison

2021 – Mark McGoldrick and Conor Patton

2022 – Conor Patton

2023 – Mark McGoldrick

2024 – Robert Tulp

2025 – Robert Tulp

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