It is with a deep sense of sadness that members are advised of the passing of NZIV Life member Kenneth (Ken) Parker in Rotorua Hospital on March 20 in his 79th year.

Ken was the 2024 recipient of the Iain Gribble Memorial Award after more than 40 years’ experience in the valuation profession. He was qualified in both urban and rural valuation with expertise in residential, commercial and industrial property as well as rental valuations, compulsory acquisition and compensation valuations; institutional and obsolete properties; and leasehold land.

Ken began his career in 1964 as an Administration Clerk at the Lands and Survey Department in Auckland. In 1966 he moved to the Ministry of Works where he took up a position as a Land Purchase Officer.

He became a registered Valuer in 1972 and worked for Valuation New Zealand in various roles and at various locations around the country until 1999.

Since 1999 he had been with Jenks Valuation in Rotorua and recently retired. However, he remained as an investigator for the Professional Conduct Committee of the NZIV, where he was involved for a number of years.

Ken was a Member of the NZIV Council throughout the 1980’s and was a member of the Waikato No. 2 Land Valuation Tribunal which sits in the Rotorua District Court. He was also a Fellow of both the New Zealand Institute of Valuers (FNZIV) and The Property Institute (FPINZ) as well as being a Fellow of the Arbitrators and Mediators Institute of New Zealand (FAMINZ) and in 2017 was made a Life Member to the NZIV.

Ken was widely known around the North Island in particular where he gave his time freely to educate and inform groups of valuers in arbitration and general valuation practice. Ken was very generous with his time and in disseminating knowledge while always working assiduously to raise the reputation of the profession in the eye of the public. He has been described as a fantastic role model.

Ken will be sadly missed.

Bill passed away on August 5, 2024. He was 86 years old.

Bill joined the Valuation Department in Auckland as a Rural Field Cadet in 1962 before being transferred to Rotorua in 1966. He obtained the New Zealand Institute of Valuer's rural professional examination and later became registered as a valuer and gained Associate status of the Institute in 1970.

In 1974, Bill commenced practice in his own right as W A Cleghorn & Associates evolving circa 1980 into the present company Cleghorn Gillespie Jensen Limited where he remained a director until his retirement in 2014.

Bill's extensive experience and qualifications in all forms of agriculture and forestry valuations led him to undertake a number of specialist assignments across the country where he served on numerous tribunals and acted for the Crown on complex land matters. He further served on the Land Valuation Tribunal in 1989, 2001 and 2008 for the Rotorua, New Plymouth and Otago regions.

From his arrival date in Rotorua, Bill served the Institute well over many years as a committee member and Branch Secretary before being elected as Dominion Councillor. During that period, he also acted as a rural examiner for the Bay of Plenty Region and was a foundation member on the NZIV Education Board, becoming Chairman of that Board in 1988.

In addition to promoting the Institute's needs, Bill was heavily involved in the local community being the founding President and Life Member of the Geyser City Squash Club and founding Vice President of Lakeview Golf Club. He held the position as Chairman of the Rotorua High Schools Board and was the local member of the Hamilton Education Board. Bill served as a Justice of the Peace for decades and was awarded the Queen's Service Medal (QSM) for public services in 1996.

In 1986 he became a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers and in 1993 Bill was the recipient of the John M Harcourt Award for his outstanding contribution to the profession and in particular, his initiatives which led to the introduction of Continuing Professional Development programmes. In 2000 he was elected Senior Vice President of the NZIV and also became a Fellow of the Property Institute of New Zealand.

Through his role in the NZIV Bill was a driving force in the development of property education in New Zealand and strongly supported all of the universities offering property programmes. Bill was the Chairman of the Massey University Property Foundation from 1989 to 2007. He was one of the foundation directors of the Pacific Rim Real Estate Society (PRRES) in the mid-1990s. In 1996 he had bestowed on him by the PRRES its highest honour of the PRRES Inaugural Achievement Award, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to property education in the Pacific-Rim, particularly in New Zealand.

It is with great sadness that we note the passing of Ronald Shera (FNZIV) on June 3, 2024, at the age of 88 years.

Ron became a Registered Valuer in 1972 and became a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers in 1993.

Ron was a Senior and District Valuer in the Valuation Department Manukau and Auckland, and trained many property graduates during the 1980's and 1990's.

The following is the citation from Ron’s Fellowship elevation in 1993:

Ron Shera is Managing District valuer for the Manukau Office of Valuation New Zealand. Born in 1935, Ron was educated in Te Papapa Primary, Manukau Intermediate and Auckland Grammar. He completed his apprenticeship in building and spent 12 years in this trade.

Ron joined the government Valuation Department in Auckland in 1964 and was appointed to permanent staff in 1965. He completed the NZIV Professional Examination (urban), was registered in 1972 and in the same year was elevated to Associate status.

Ron was relocated to the new Manukau office in 1976 and in 1977 took up the Senior Valuers position. For a brief period in 1985 he returned to Auckland as a District Valuer but later in the same year returned to the Manukau office as District Valuer Senior. With the 1988 restructuring of the Department, Ron was appointed Managing District Valuer for Valuation New Zealand, Manukau.

During his time at the Department, Ron has gained wide experience in all aspects of urban valuation and has been responsible for the training of many young valuers. With his knowledge, experience and willingness to teach, Ron has helped lay the foundation of many valuation careers.

He has served as a committee member of the Auckland Branch of the NZIV and has encouraged his staff to be involved in Institute Affairs.

Ron has a philosophy that has guided his valuing career which was also the school motto of Te Papapa Primary: "that nothing great is easily won."

Ron and his wife Brenda have one son and two daughters and until recently had lived in Mangere for 32 years. They have been involved in community affairs with Ron acting as Chair of the Manukau City Association Football Club for five years and a Scout committee member. Both Ron and Brenda are life members of the Manukau City Football Club.

The Auckland Branch is unanimous in its recommendation that Ron Shera be elevated to the status of Fellow in recognition of the regard and repute he is held in by the community and his fellow valuers, and for the assistance he has provided to many valuers under his employ

Malcolm passed away on, 18 March 2024 aged 93 years. He died peacefully with family present.

Deeply loved husband of Nanette Hanna, to whom he was married for 68 years. He was the precious father of Sue, Pip, Julie, and Foggy.

Below is the citation Malcolm received when he was elevated to Life Membership in 2002.

Malcolm Hanna commenced his valuation career in February 1962 as a trainee valuer with Gordon Harcourt Limited under the direction of John Harcourt a Past President and Life Member of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers.

Malcolm remained with Gordon Harcourt Limited from 1962 to 1965 when he joined the valuation practice of Gellatly Robertson where he became a partner shortly thereafter. He remained with that firm through various changes (Gellatly Robertson through to Robertson Young Telfer Limited) until 1994 at which time he resigned as a Director of the Wellington Office and the national practice to set up as a sole practitioner, as a chartered arbitrator, real estate advisor and registered valuer specialising in matters relating to arbitration and litigation.

Malcolm was recommended for membership of the student group of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers in March 1962 and from then on he took a very keen and active interest in the affairs of the Institute.

Malcolm completed his examinations in 1965 and in that year was awarded the Council trophy for the student who completed the examination with the most merit.

He was Secretary of the Wellington Branch of the Institute from 1964 to 1967 and became a full member of the Branch Committee in 1966 and subsequently Chairman of the Branch.

Malcolm was a member of the Education Committee and Board of Examiners of the Institute from 1971 to 1975 and was an Examiner in academic subjects and the practical oral examinations in Wellington.

He was appointed the Dominion Publicity Officer in 1971 and became the first Chairman of the Publicity and Public Relations Committee, a position he held until 1975.

He has attended a number of Pan Pacific Conferences and was a principal speaker at the 7th Pan Pacific Congress in San Francisco in 1973 and a commentator at the 8th Congress in Rotorua in 1975.

Malcolm was also co-author of the paper "Education and the Valuing Profession" and was a contributory author of "Urban Valuation in New Zealand Volume II", one of the major textbooks of the Institute. He has represented the Institute on several inter-professional committees, particularly those relating to replacement insurances.

He was made an Associate of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers in 1966 and became a Fellow of the Institute in 1977. He was admitted as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in 1978 and is a foundation member of the Arbitrators and Mediators Institute of New Zealand in 1987 and for a number of years has served as a member of the National Arbitration Panel of that organisation.

He was invited to membership of the American Society of Real Estate Councillors which is widely regarded in the USA as one of the most prestigious professional real estate groups and was the first New Zealander to be so invited.

Malcolm was appointed by the Government as one of their two representatives on the Valuers' Registration Board and served continuously on that Board for 15 years from 1973 to 1988, nine of those years being as Deputy Chairman. He was a member of the Wellington Land Valuation Tribunal for ten years and was a Director of Valuation New Zealand and Quotable Valuation New Zealand Limited for three years.

He has appeared as an expert witness on a broad range of real estate and valuation matters before the High Court as well as the Land Valuation Tribunal, the Environment Court and the Waitangi Tribunal and has also been involved in many major arbitrations.

There are very few members who have given the service to the New Zealand Institute of Valuers and the valuing profession that Malcolm Hanna has. He is well recognised for his valuation work throughout New Zealand and is held in high regard by his colleagues and the Wellington Branch for the presentation and quality of his work and the enthusiasm and his support for the profession as a whole. Malcolm continues to take a keen interest in the Institute and is a worthy recipient of Life Membership of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers.

It is with sadness that we mark the passing of Donn James Armstrong FNZIV(Life) FPINZ(Life).

Donn passed away peacefully during April after a short illness, He was 80 years old.

Donn leaves behind his wife Liz, and children Stephanie, Libby and Peter.

Below is the citation received when he was elevated to Life Membership in 2009, written by Evan Gamby.

Donn James Armstrong (Donn) completed a Diploma in Agriculture at Lincoln in 1965 and gained a Diploma in Valuation and Farm Management in 1966.

After a trip overseas he joined the field staff of the State Advances Corporation in Rotorua in October 1967, transferring to South Canterbury in January 1968 where he worked for three years.

He was registered as a valuer on 29 October 1969.

Donn joined the Timaru Farm Management and Consultancy firm of Ettwell, Hormann and Armstrong in 1971.

In 1974 he set up his own Valuation and Farm Management practice of Donn Armstrong and Associates Limited and in addition farmed his 100 hectare property at Pleasant Point.

Donn was a Member Strathallan County Council 1978 to 1989. One of his responsibilities during this period was as Community Board Member of Pleasant Point. He chaired the Finance and Town Planning Committees. He also served as The Civil Defence Officer for Pleasant Point

Donn was appointed by the Minister of Valuation to the Valuers Registration Board (VRB) in May 1979 at the young age of 36, served 24 years and was the deputy Chairman from 1998 until he resigned from the Board in 2003. While on the Board Donn wrote many decisions of the Board and has been the longest serving member of the VRB.

He served on the South Canterbury Branch Committee of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers (NZIV) over the period 1971-1981, was Branch Chairman 1975-1976 and on the panel of Professional examination examiners from 1977-82. Following a move to Christchurch in 2004 Donn has been involved with the local PINZ/NZIV branch and organised the Canterbury Regional Conference in 2006. He has lectured to final year students at Lincoln University in Valuation.

Donn has prepared and presented numerous papers to a wide variety of organisations including on valuation to the Pan Pacific Valuers' Conference 1988, The Triennial Conference of Valuers Perth in 1991 and the Australian Conference of Valuers' Registration Boards Melbourne, Perth and Sydney 1984, 1986 and 1988. He has been on two Valuers Act Review committees and monitored valuation and commerce courses at Auckland, Lincoln and Massey Universities over many years.

Donn has had a far wider community involvement than institute affairs including Rotary, Toastmasters and local township committee work. He has also been involved with Directorships from the 1990's such as Combined Rural Traders, Greenfields Farmers Trading Co-operative (up to 1998) Geraldine Berry Farms, Deputy Chairman Blackcurrants New Zealand Limited up to 2004 and Clayton Farming Company Limited

Donn has presented evidence to High Court, LVT. Waitangi Tribunal on many occasions. He prepared land claim evidence for Ngai Tahu and is an acknowledged specialist valuer in Forestry Land matters. In 2006 Donn completed what is now referred to as the "Armstrong Report" for Government (LINZ) on a review of the process involved in setting rentals and tenure review under the provisions of the Land Act and the Crown Pastoral Leases Act relating to the South Island High Country.

Donn Armstrong is held in very high regard by his peers, New Zealand business leaders, Government and perhaps most importantly of all his family. His elevation is as a life member of both PINZ and NZIV. Please join with us by showing your appreciation for his outstanding involvement in our industry over many years.

Evan/life membership/09.06.10 Donn Armstrong Citation

Murray Mander, a Life Member of the PINZ & NZIV, died aged 98 years on 3 January 2023 at Tauranga Hospital following a fall and a period of ill health.

Murray was born 11/11/24 in New Plymouth where he grew up and attended New Plymouth Boys Highschool and played for the 1^st XV.

He was among the second intake of the Government’s Rural Field Cadet Scheme in 1942 which included a period of practical farming and shepherding. After serving overseas in the Navy during WW11, he graduated from Lincoln College with the Diploma of Valuation & Farm Management (VFM) in 1948 achieving the gold medal for highest aggregate marks.

On graduation he worked briefly for the Maori Affairs Department in Hasting before transferring to the Valuation Department where he spent the majority of his working life. Registered as a valuer in 1951 he worked initially in New Plymouth then as Senior Rural Valuer (Rural) in Auckland and Rotorua before becoming District Valuer (Rural) Rotorua in 1956, Supervising Valuer in Palmerston North 1964 and moved to Wellington Head Office in 1968 on appointment as Chief Valuers (Rural). He was appointed Deputy Valuer General 1973 and then Valuer General and Chairman of the Registration Board early 1975. Murray retired from the Valuation Department late 1984 and moved to Tauranga where he continued to work for 8 years as a Registered Valuer for Jones, Tierney & Green including undertaking an assignment for the World Bank in Indonesia in 1986.

Throughout his carrier he always strove for the highest standards of Professionalism and in his early carrier became well known as a capable expert witness. In later years his expertise and knowledge of valuation attracted interest overseas and he presented papers and participated in a number of international conferences while also hosting overseas valuers in New Zealand.

Prior to his appointment as Valuer General Murray held various positions with NZIV. He acted as an examiner in rural valuation, served as chairman of the Board of Examiners, the Valuer Generals representative to the council and as a member of the Executive committee.

Murray was made a Fellow of the Institute in 1973 and following his retirement from the department a Life Member in 1985. He was also in 1985 awarded the Queen Service Order (QSO) for Public Service and Services to Valuation.

Murray career spanned considerable change from being among the first rural valuers with specific academic qualification in New Zealand to being a strong advocate for the computerisation of valuation systems. Brayan Gilling’s book Government Valuers the History of Valuation New Zealand described him, quote as - “a fairly dominant and persistent charter who had a presence about him that carried the day with staff. Everyone had a lot of respect for Murray Mander”

In private life Murray was a keen and accomplished golfer, trout fisherman and gardener. Murray is survived by his wife Joan of 72 years, sons Miles and Cameron and daughter Louise. 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

It is with deep regret that the New Zealand Institute of Valuers mark the recent passing of Hugh Hunter Reynolds. Hugh passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on 20 November at his home at Omokoroa.

Born in Blenheim, educated at Nelson College, Hugh graduated from Lincoln College in 1969 with a Diploma in Agriculture.

In 1969 Hugh was first employed by the then Government Valuation Department in the Invercargill office before moving to the Hokitika office. Hugh transferred to Rotorua in 1973 in the Valuation Department and served as a Senior Valuer.

On leaving the Valuation Department he joined the firm of John M Bell, Reid & Co, becoming a partner in 1982. In 1984 he formed Reid & Reynolds in partnership with Ron Reid. He was a senior partner in Reid and Reynolds Limited until his retirement in 2008.

Hugh became a Registered Valuer in 1973, advanced to an Associate of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers in 1974 and was awarded a Fellowship in 2000.

Hugh was always committed to supporting the New Zealand Institute of Valuers and served on the local branch committee from 1977 to 2001. He also served on the National Council and was President of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers in 2001 and 2002. He was also a member of the Professional Practice Committee.

Since 1973 his valuation experiences in the Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty region focussed on all aspects of the rural and forestry markets. Increasingly more and more time was devoted to litigation work.
In 1992 Hugh became involved with major forestry interests in the valuations of forestry lands, predominantly for Crown forestry licence reviews. This work included numerous High Court and arbitration appearances while Hugh also appeared as an expert witness in arbitration at the High Court and the Land Valuation Tribunal.

Hugh identified the benefit of specialisation in the valuation profession. Being based in Rotorua, forestry was the obvious choice with New Zealandâs two largest forest managers based in the area. He became the lead valuer for both these companies and was instrumental in the change in Crown Forest Licence fee changes in the 1990’s from the prescribed percentage of land value to market rent levels. In 2005 saw the move to acting for future Maori landowners via the Treaty Settlement process. The first undertaken by Hugh was for local Iwi, Te Arawa, and while the 2006 Settlement Agreement was subsequently voided it paved the way for the Treelordâs settlement in 2008 whereby 8 Iwi shared 90% of Kaingaroa Forest lands.

He was also heavily involved in the case of Valuer General v Fletcher Challenge Forests Ltd (commonly referred to as âTahorakuriâ), which concerned the valuation of land under the definitions of land in the Valuation of Land Act 1951. Hugh was also instrumental in challenging the Valuer General guidelines regarding deduction of value for Maori ownership in the Taheke Paengaroa Land Valuation Tribunal case.

He was highly respected by his peers as being a critical thinker, often challenging conventional thinking but always based on the analysis of the market and how it reacts. He had a high work ethic and was always extremely professional to deal with. Hugh always respected the need to have an enjoyable working environment in balance with family time. Morning teas were quite famous with his dry sense of humour and cheeky smile. He was also instrumental in mentoring numerous young valuers and was always willing to lend a helping ear to any valuation question whatever it may have been.

Outside of work Hugh was an avid yachtsman and adventurer. He once sailed to England and returned overland back to New Zealand part way on bicycle. He was a very active member of the Rotorua community with a strong ethos of giving back, serving in Rotary and various sports clubs. He was always set on retiring at sixty and had that firmly ensconced in the partnership agreement from the outset. This allowed Hugh and Heather to complete a wonderful array of adventures including circumnavigations of New Zealand, sailing to the islands on two occasions and various great walks and rides. On moving to Omokoroa, he naturally became a valued member of that community and a very active member of the Omokoroa Boat Club.

He will be sorely missed by all members of the Property Industry, and by his former clients, colleagues, and friends. Hugh is survived by Heather, his wife of 40 years, children Rachel and Campbell and their partners, and his three grandchildren. 

The Institute extends their deepest sympathy to Hughs family for their very sad loss.

It is with deep regret that the New Zealand Institute of Valuers marks the passing of Arthur Geoffrey Stewart.

Arthur died peacefully surrounded by his family on 24 October 2021 after a short illness.

Arthur was a registered valuer, a Fellow of both the NZIV and PINZ. He graduated from Auckland University in 1961 with a Diploma in Urban Valuation and in 1966 completed graduated from Victoria University with a Bachelor of Commerce. He obtained registration and Associate membership status with the NZIV in 1965 and was elevated to a Fellow of the Institute in 1986.

Born in Dunedin he completed his secondary schooling at Auckland Grammar and upon leaving school he commenced an urban field cadetship initially with the Ministry of Works and then with the Government Valuation Department.

Upon leaving the Department, Arthur spent ten years with S. George Nathan & Co in Wellington as a valuer and when he resigned in 1973 he was also managing their commercial real estate division. He left to set up practice as an independent valuer, practicing in Wellington and after several mergers his practice developed into the national practice of Darroch & Co where at his retirement he was senior partner and chairman of the group.

Arthur served the Institute of Valuers as an examiner and as a member of the Education and New Technology Committees. For six years he was a Government appointee to the Valuers Registration Board.

He has also participated on numerous occasions as a speaker at seminars and wrote a number of articles for The New Zealand Valuer and other professional journals. One article was particularly controversial at the time, written around 1970 it mocked the use of depth tables by valuers and argued for the use of market related per square metre rates, now very much the norm.

Arthur’s professional standing and his technical competence in the field of valuation was without peer as his frequent engagement by barrister’s and QC’s would attest.

Arthur was also widely known in yachting circles having represented New Zealand five times between 1977 and 1989 competing internationally in many major offshore keelboat races which included five Sydney to Hobart races. He also competed in two Clipper/Kenwood Cup series in Hawaii. The Big Boat Series and World One Ton Cup in San Francisco and one Admiral Cup series in Cowes (the pinnacle of yachting). He was also a Commodore, President, and life member of the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club and as a crew member of the yacht, Pacific Sundance included as Wellington Sportsman of the year in 1983.

He will be sorely missed by all members of the Property Industry, and by his former colleagues and friends.

Arthur is survived by Dianne, his wife of 55 years, children Fiona, Megan and Craig, son in law Mike, daughter in law Chiara and grandchildren Hannah, Oliver and Lorenzo.

The Institute’s extend their deepest sympathy to Arthur’s family for their very sad loss.

Obituary – Patrick Desmond Foote 
1969 - 2021

Prior to providing a summary of Patrick’s professional career, including his service to NZIV and PINZ, I would comment that the most important celebration of Pat’s life, is remembering his warm, friendly and humorous personality which made him an extremely popular character.  Pat was also very principled and was not afraid to stand up for and argue in support of something he believed in. 

Patrick was a practising valuer in the Auckland urban market for 31 years, since 1990. 

Patrick was Auckland born and bred, having been raised and educated in East Auckland, with the family home in Glendowie.  Patrick spent his secondary years at Sacred Heart College in Glendowie, where he was a valued member of the First XV, and his rugby prowess was recognised with Auckland Representative selection. 

After secondary school, Patrick attended Auckland University and graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor of Property.

Administration, majoring in valuation.  From there, Patrick spent his formative years as a cadet working at the Housing Corporation up to registration, which he attained in 1994.  Soon after, Patrick moved into private practice with Seagar & Partners, undertaking stints in both the South Auckland and Central Auckland offices.  Throughout this time, he mainly covered Auckland’s residential markets and was recognised as a very organised, diligent and hard worker who had the fortitude and ability to complete to a high standard, a significant number of valuations per year. 

In 2003, Patrick joined the Central Auckland practice of Gribble Churton Taylor Limited.  Patrick’s strong work ethic and professionalism were recognised with him becoming a shareholder soon after, and then a director.  It was during this time up to the present, that Patrick displayed an ability to competently complete a wider range of valuations, including public work compensation assessments and a significant involvement in subdivisible and development land, together with undertaking over more recent years, a significant amount of work involving new apartment developments, including ascertaining there feasibility.  Patrick was a recognised expert in these areas, as well as undertaking industrial and commercial property valuations.  In summary, he was a professional, confident and well respected urban valuer whose advice in these areas was keenly sought, including for expert testimony for litigation and mediation.  Patrick’s expertise was also sought from financiers, and was almost exclusively used by a major second tier property funder.  Part of this confidence in Patrick, was gleaned from his depth of experience he gained from continual 31 years of working in a range of all markets.

Patrick made a significant contribution to the profession.  He was awarded associate status of NZIV in 1996, and became a senior member of PINZ shortly thereafter.  He graciously gave his time to the Auckland Branch Committee of both NZIV/PINZ where he was initially the Deputy Chair, and then the Chairman.  In 2018, Pat was awarded a Fellowship of both NVIZ and PINZ in recognition of the high status he was held by in his profession and his sterling service.  

Patrick further contributed to the local branch and the wider profession by way of delivering a number of presentations, including a webinar on conflict of interest, together with presenting on property matters to another professional organisation.  He was an annual guest lecturer at the University of Auckland covering residential properties. 

Since 2012, Patrick was a member of the Land Professionals Mutual Society (LPMS) Board.  LPMS is a risk management organisation for property professionals such as valuers, surveyors, quantity surveyors, etc.  Patrick published articles for members of the Society. 

Patrick was married to his school sweetheart, Diana for 27 years.  Patrick was devoted to their four children, Isla, Ben, Sam and Joseph.  Patrick enjoyed getting himself fit through a number of pursuits, including crossfit, and successfully completed the notoriously difficult “Tough Mudder” event.  He was an avid rugby supporter, frequenting Eden Park to watch the Blues and the All Blacks. 

First and foremost, Patrick was a family man and he will be sorely missed by them.  He will also be missed by his work family, Gribble Churton Taylor, and the wider community that he was involved with.  In recognition of Pat’s popularity and his friendly nature, was the significant amount of family and friends who attended his celebration of life ceremony.  He will be sorely missed.

Rest in Peace Pat.

Matthew Taylor   FNZIV  FPINZ
Registered Valuer
Director

As a Branch and organisation we are deeply saddened by the passing of Patrick Foote. He devoted countless hours and vast amounts of energy to PINZ and NZIV activities. His devotion to the profession will be deeply missed.

On behalf of the Branch Committee and the organisation as a whole, we wish to thank Patrick for his work, and thank his family for lending him to us over the many years of his service.

Phil White PINZ & NZIV Auckland Branch Chair & Property Institute National Support Team

Graduating with a Diploma in Urban Valuation from the University of Auckland, Alan Webb was admitted to NZIV as an Intermediate member in 1967, was registered with the VRB in 1970, advancing to ANZIV status some four years later. Alan was awarded Fellowships for both NZIV and PINZ in 2015 recognising the esteem with which he was held by his peers.

Alan was an Affiliate of the Wellington Branch of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand from 1974, and became a member of the Property Management Institute in the late 1970s.

He was involved in Valuation and Commercial Property Management from the early 1960s, having

been the National Property Manager for Prudential Assurance Company, with wide ranging

experience in the valuation and property management sectors spanning Commercial, Retail, Industrial, and Residential throughout New Zealand, having worked for two years in Australia.

Alan worked within the Commercial Property Management team at Harcourts, transferring to Harcourts Valuations in the Hutt Valley in the late 1980s, from where he then jointly formed his practice in the 1990s with Bill Lindsay, having a particular involvement with the Eastbourne and Hutt Valley residential and commercial markets.

Alan was actively involved in Wellington NZIV Branch affairs over a number of years as Secretary.

He resided in the Eastern Bays suburb of Lowry Bay, and his interests outside of valuation included yachting (commodore of Muritai Yacht Club) and other community based activities including Hutt Valley Basketball, Sea Scouts and the Eastbourne Community Trust. He was vice chairman of the Walter Nash Stadium Trust for 23 years and was instrumental in having the stadium constructed. In 2011 Alan received the Lower Hutt Civic Honors Award from then Hutt City Mayor Ray Wallace for community service, recreation, social welfare and youth activities.

Alan passed away on February 1, 2021. He is survived by his wife, three adult children and eight grandchildren, all of whom he followed with interest and was extremely proud.

Alan was a very well-respected member of the Wellington valuation profession in the Wellington Region giving freely of his time and expertise.

By John Darroch

Neil Darroch was born on the 8th of July 1935 and passed away on 1 December 2020 at Beach Haven Care Home in Auckland, leaving behind two children and six grandchildren.

Neil had a long and fulfilling career as a valuer, based mainly in Auckland. He graduated from Lincoln College in 1958 as a Rural Field Cadet with a Diploma of Valuation and Farm Management, then worked for some 10 years as a field officer with the Lands & Survey Department, working all over New Zealand.

Upon moving to Auckland, he started the NZIV professional urban exams in 1967. In 1968 he joined the Auckland Harbour Board as a deputy property officer and in 1970 he set up N K Darroch and Associates Ltd a private practice of valuers and property consultants in Auckland.

At the time he was the first person from Lincoln to successfully move from Rural to Urban Valuation.

As the company grew a number of well- known valuers came on board including Chris Seagar, Guy Ashton and Warwick Marsh. A little later Brett Smithies, Sean Molloy and Alan Wiltshire joined.

In 1981, Neil’s then expanded business joined with Simpson Horsley Nyberg and Stewart from Wellington to form NZ’s largest, financially integrated national valuation practice.

The company was for many years “the place to work” and many of NZ’s now leading valuers spent time there. In the early years the company grasped the emerging International Valuation Standards, and with a good understanding of the need to provide clients with market valuations rather than historical cost reporting, rode a wave of work in the corporate and government sectors.

An addition to his commercial work, Neil worked on many arbitrations, tribunals and expert witness assignments. He was an expert valuer for marine assets and sea beds as well as Tourism and Hotels and Hospitality throughout NZ and the Pacific. He also worked on the MFAT portfolio in the Pacific.

One of Neil’s more interesting assignments was in the provision of valuation advice to the Nuclear Claims Tribunal in respect to the loss of use and value of Bikini Atoll resulting from nuclear contamination dating back to 1946.

The client here was “the defender of the fund” which was set up to compensate the dispossessed landowners. He had a particular expertise in customary land tenure matters, land resource development and land policy in the Pacific Islands.

In 1999 he formed a smaller firm with his son John and then retired about 2010.

Neil started with the NZIV in 1964 and joined the Auckland Branch Committee in 1975 and was branch chairman in 1977-1978. He became a member of the Property Management Institute in 1978.

He was a member of the Institute of Valuation and Estate Management (Fiji), and an associated member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and was chairman of the Massey University Property Foundation from 1994 – 1998.

Neil was awarded the John Harcourt Memorial Award in 2002, principally for his role as organising committee chairman of the Pan Pacific Congress of Appraisers & Valuers held in Auckland in 2000.

In 2009 he was awarded Life Membership.

Neil also lectured at Auckland University over a number of years and participated as a speaker at seminars and conventions.

Neil gave untiring service to the valuation and property profession in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands and was held in high esteem by fellow practitioners and by the business community in New Zealand.
Outside of work Neil liked nothing better than to go boating or to his beloved Great Barrier Island.

Prepared by Graeme Kircaldie in collaboration with Earl Gordon's family

EARL FRANCIS GORDON - FNZIV (Life)
 
Earl Gordon died on 6 June 2020 after an illness that he had battled courageously, pushing himself to complete his role with the Wellington Division of the Land Valuation Tribunal in a series of ground rental dispute hearings.

He has been justifiably described as one of the unsung heroes of the Valuation professional's having spent almost 40 years selflessly serving on the Executive and Professional Practice Committees of NZIV; concurrently on the board of Land Professional's Mutual Society, a risk management and indemnity insurance service for land surveyors and valuers, until 2019; also representing the NZIV on the Executive of the Institute of Plant and Machinery Valuers, which awarded him Honorary Membership in 1994.

Those commitments were especially outstanding because, for most of that phase, Earl was a sole practitioner, supported by his wife Adrienne who carried out secretarial services for the business.

Earl's entire working life as an urban valuer was spent in Wellington, where he has been a well-respected practitioner with a diverse range of clients. 

Born in Paraparaumu, his initial work experience was gained in the late 1960s with Jack Gellatly at JH Bethune & Co and at the Northern Building Society, later moving to the Valuation Department, completing the NZIV Urban Professional Exams in 1970, followed by Registration, and advancement to Associate in 1971.  By that stage he had moved to Rolle Pyne & Co., one of the original independent Wellington valuation practices, and later in the decade joined Chris Dentice and Graeme Kirkcaldie in a partnership that ran through to 1985.  From then on, Earl practised on his own.

In about 1988 the NZIV Council, recognising the need for a specialist group to receive inquiries and complaints, and to administer members disciplinary processes in conjunction with the Valuer's Registration Board, established the Professional Practices Committee (PPC) with Earl as its Chairman, a position he held until retiring in late 2017. 

Under his stewardship that committee considered more than 1000 formal complaint matters and countless informal inquiries from members of the public, provided advice about a raft of issues, and gave support to beleaguered valuation practitioners.  He chaired the monthly PPC audio conference meetings, pre-circulating case files, in an efficient but involving manner and with an amazing ability to recall specific circumstances, and valuer personalities - some of whom were logged with the PPC record system more than once.

Earl was advanced to Fellow of the NZIV in 2005 in recognition of his services to the profession; presented with the John M Harcourt Memorial Award in 2012; and in 2018 made a Life Member of the Institute in acknowledgement of his outstanding contributions and personal dedication.

He was also an Associate Member of REINZ from 1968, and a Fellow of PINZ from 2005.

Aside from his business and professional interests Earl had been an enthusiastic participant in camping and boating, regularly holidaying at Taupo's Motutere Point and more recently at Kinloch, with family and friends.  He helped develop an international competition level BMX track in Wellington, and served on the national body of that sport for a time.  His travels to Australia, Europe, and North America several times were obvious highlights; and he was also a keen supporter of many sports, and in particular Wellington and All Black rugby.

Earl owned an eclectic array of high-performance cars through the years, and they were always immaculately maintained.  His dream to lap the Nuremburg Circuit in 2017 did not, unfortunately, materialise.

He was a mild-mannered person with a good sense of humour; empathised with the disadvantaged members of society; was interested in fine art and music; had a flair for good clothes; and enjoyed food and wine, especially in the company of his revered friend, the late Iain Gribble, and a small cohort of valuers.

Earl Gordon is survived by Adrienne to whom he was married for 51 years, son Benjamin a rural station manager and agricultural contractor based in Taupo, daughter Philippa a lawyer now assisting at Marsden pre-school in Wellington, and five grandchildren.

Rest in Peace Earl, and thank you for your outstanding contributions.

It is with deep regret that the Property Institute of New Zealand & the New Zealand Institute of Valuers announce the passing of Rob Hutchison.
Rob died on Monday June 29, after a short illness. Rob was a Registered Valuer, ANZIV, awarded SPINZ in 2000, and a property consultant. He was an active member of the Institute of Valuers prior to the merger in 2000.

Rob had an outstanding and unique professional property career.

He began his career as a valuer with JLW, and Colliers, and from there went on to become Valuer General, which quickly identified his valuation reputation.

From 1999 to 2004 he was the CEO of the then North Shore City Council, followed by a period as Chief executive of Tramco, before joining Ngati Whatua Whai Rawa Limited as its chief Executive in 2012 through to 2017, and thereafter as a Director of the Company.

He was also managing Director of Waitea Advisory Ltd, and from June 2019 was an Executive Director of Vincent capital limited. During his time as CEO of Ngati Whatua Whai Rawa Limited, he increased Iwi assets from $356 million in 2012 to almost $1 billion in 2017.

Rob was on the Judging Panel of the Property Council of New Zealand Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry Awards for some 14 years up until 2017.

During Rob's long career, he was an active and valued member of the Property Council and the Property Institute with a deep and sincere enthusiasm for all aspects of Property and was a friend and mentor to many with his honest, casual and respectful - sometimes humorous - demeanor.

His passing will be sorely missed by all in the property industry in New Zealand.

Rob is survived by his wife Liz and his children Alec and Georgie, their partners Michaela and Sam and his grandchildren Finn and Bodhi.

NZIV extend their deepest sympathy to Rob's family for their very sad loss.

By Jeff Alexander: President NZIV
 
On 9 December 2019, Squire Speedy, a valuer and academic without peer in the Property Industry passed away. He was 95 years old.
 
Squire, I have been told, had his first taste of valuing in the land sales era of 1943 – 1950 under the Servicemen’s Settlement and Land Sales Act 1943.

With his brother Lloyd they assisted their father Lionel Lawrence Speedy (Laurie) who was a pioneering valuer and member of the New Zealand institute of Valuers formed in 1939.

Squire helped with valuations to establish sale prices of land which, other than farm land, required under the legislation to be based on land values as at 15 December 1942. In Squire’s last publication titled “Property Matters“ a personal publication from which some of the valuing deeds of Squire have been sourced, he describes in an early chapter how stressful this was and the care with which valuations had to be made to justify prices fixed at Land Sales Committee Tribunal Hearings.
 
This held him in good stead for the future and as Squire noted:
 “Being a professional witness is one of the loneliest jobs in the world. Once you are in the witness box you are on your own. Your professional reputation can be made or marred by a single answer.” 
It was some years later that Squire completed the various exams for Membership of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers, winning the Institute’s Council Trophy. Much later Squire completed a degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in property. Squire became Registered as a valuer on 17 October 1956.

Squire had a very distinguished and influential career as a Registered Valuer becoming increasingly involved with the profession at both a practicing professional and academic level.

Squire worked on many compensation matters for both property owners and the Crown at the time of land acquisitions for the Auckland Harbour Bridge in the 1950’s through to Compensation cases including land acquired for reserves and schools in the 1970’s.
He was held in high regard for whichever side he was preparing evidence. He said of working for the Crown;
 “There was never any pressure on me one way or another. They simply wanted my independent professional opinion.”
 Squire in his professional life always saw it as a requirement to provide an independent opinion and was considered to be a valuer of the highest integrity by all who worked with or against him.
 
Squire commenced his academic teaching career in 1964.
He said in his Property Matters publication that he had 20 wonderful years as a part time lecturer, lecturing on Urban Accounting tailored for valuers.
This course enabled him to blend his knowledge in valuation and accounting, giving lectures to valuers that were relevant for their future careers. It led to the writing and publication of four text books and publishing very many papers on accounting, valuation and property economics, culminating with a first class masters degree.
 
One perhaps little-known fact among our members is that Squire, in his thirst for knowledge, purchased a Hewlett Packard HP 80 electronic calculator in the late 1960’s, the ultimate in computing sophistication at the time.
He began solving investment calculations in seconds that used to take him hours using log tables and slide rules. This, I understand, was a first for property in New Zealand, common today, but unheard of in the 1960’s. It enabled more swift calculations for Discounted Cash Flow (DCF). Up to the last, in a talk he gave to Massey University Students in 2010, he expressed his concern about the use of DCF, because as he said:
 “the accuracy all depends on the validity of the future estimates, and particularly the timing of cash flows expected to be paid out or received.” 
Squire’s achievements as an academic and author are legendary. His book on Land Compensation is cited in cases before the High Court and Land Valuation Tribunal and at arbitrations, some 35 years after the book was published.
 
A troll through the New Zealand Valuers Journal for which he was on the Editorial Board for many years shows his devotion to the profession, writing articles and commentaries on many occasions. As a member of the Editorial Board Squire was called upon to review academic articles for substance and relevance before publication to ensure they were of a high academic standard.
 
Squire is known to have written nine publications, some personal but mostly on financial, economic and property investment, two of which, through his generosity, were dedicated to the New Zealand Institute of Valuers. As for all work he did for the Institute, he donated his time at no cost. This is recorded in his book on Property Matters, when asked by the Institute to write Financial Appraisal. He said:
 “I’m sure you can’t afford to pay me a proper fee. I’m hanged if I’m going to work for peanuts on holidays and weekends, or in the early mornings. I’ll do it as a hobby”. 

Squire achieved every accolade that the New Zealand Institute of Valuers could possibly award him beyond his first, which was the Institute’s Council Trophy. He became, in order, a:

1. Member of NZIV.
2. Fellow of NZIV.
3. John M Harcourt Award recipient in 1983.
4. Life Member of NZIV 1990.  

Others recall that at a gathering in Auckland he said he was proudest of the John M Harcourt Award which he considered the highest accolade of the Institute. It was awarded to him in 1983 for: “outstanding service both over a long period and in the year the award is made”, having just complete the publication “Financial Appraisal” dedicated to the NZIV.
 
Squire will be remembered for many things, perhaps not the least for his “Rule of 72” that he devised using the Hewlett Packard, and “Speedy’s Risk Curve” developed in response to questions from students. He later dryly commented that he later found his Rule of 72 was based on principles that had been in existence since 1494, only he didn’t know that at the time, and therefore had reinvented it himself as a rule for property professionals.
 
Squire retired as a registered valuer on 1 January 2000. His legacy is remembered by numerous valuers practicing today. For those who didn’t have the pleasure of knowing him personally he will be fondly remembered, either through anecdotes recounted in his memory as a great raconteur, or by reading his many publications.
 
We thank you Squire.  Your memory and contribution to our profession will live on.

Passing of Dale Steven Wall, ANZIV

April 1958 - June 2019

It is with much sadness and regret that the NZIV have been informed of the passing of Dale Steven Wall, ANZIV. 

Dale had been a senior and prominent member of the NZIV since 1981, when he successfully completed the Institute's examinations.  He was Registered in June 1981, and became an Associate of the NZIV in 1985.

Dale was an extremely well-regarded Valuer, active mostly in the industrial and commercial sectors of the Wellington market.  He was held in very high esteem by his peers, for his depth of understanding in valuation.  His knowledge of the Wellington Regional industrial market was outstanding.

Over the years, Dale was involved in many significant arbitrations and mediation proceedings, and will be thoroughly missed amongst valuation and property circles generally in Wellington.  A sharp mind and tireless worker.

Dale was the son of John Wall, one of New Zealand's most widely known valuers of his era, and Life Member of the NZIV.

Dale passed away peacefully on 16^th June 2019.  He is survived by his wife Cecelia and their four children. 

Passing of NZIV Fellow

William Andrew Fraser Burgess

1946 - 2019

By Nigel Kenny

It is with deep regret that the Property Institute of New Zealand marks the passing of Bill Burgess.

Bill died in Merrivale Retirement Village, Springs Flat, Whangarei on Tuesday the 21^st of May 2019, after a long illness.

Bill was a Registered Valuer, FNZIV FPINZ

During his career he had been an active member of the local branch and had served as the Councillor for Northland.

Born in Gore he spent his early career with the Valuation Department in Northland and Te Kuiti rising to Senior Valuer before acquiring the practice of Morrison Coutts Milburn. Coutts Milburn eventually became Wiseman Burgess Malone before merging with a number of independent practices as Northland Valuers.

Retiring some years ago he managed to concentrate on his other great interest in life lawn bowls, becoming green keeper to two local clubs. Bill continued to provide mentoring and consultancy to junior valuers. He will be sorely missed by his colleagues and friends in the Property Industry in Northland

Bill is survived by his partner Helen, daughter Penny and sons, Greg and Scott. The Property Institute extends its deepest sympathy to Bills Family in their very sad loss.

David Smyth, FNZIV, FPINZ, passed away on June 7, 2018, after a short illness.

He was 76 years old. He was the loved and loving husband of Anne, and father of Christopher (Melbourne) and the late Anthony. After receiving a Diploma in Valuation and Farm Management, and Diploma in Agriculture from Lincoln College (now University), David achieved Registration in 1968.

Waikato Branch recently celebrated with David his 50th year as a Registered Valuer, and while he was 76 years old, when many others are taking it easy, David was still enjoying his profession. David continued to provide valuable knowledge to clients and mentor many.

Most recently, from 1996, David was in practice with Curnow Tizard, Hamilton. His speciality was rural valuation and consultancy, with emphasis on larger scale dry stock and dairy properties. He specialised in assessing environmental impacts and compensation for both land and property right acquisitions, and acted as expert witness.

In 1966 David started with State Advances Corporation/Rural Banking and Finance Corporation, with roles including Farm Appraiser Rotorua, Te Kuiti, & Whangarei, and Senior Appraiser Auckland. In 1977 he farmed in his own right, in northern Waikato while also running his own valuation practice.

In 1990 David joined Land Corporation, Hamilton, working throughout Waikato, Coromandel and King Country, before returning to his own practice in Hamilton in 1993. David was also a Member Land Valuation Tribunal (Waikato No.1), Past chairman of Waikato and Northland Branches of the NZIV, Deputy Chair Auckland Branch NZIV and an Examiner (Rural Practical and Oral) NZIV, Auckland.

Messages of condolence can be sent to: The Smyth Family, C/O PO Box 276, Hamilton 3240

Ian Ashby attended Lincoln College from 1949 - 1952 as a Rural Field Cadet (RFC). After graduating he joined the Department of Agriculture and became a Tutor at the Flock House Training Centre. In 1953 Ian moved to Hamilton and then on to Te Kuiti with the Valuation Department, when around 1960 he then moved on to Rotorua as a Valuer and became Senior Valuer. Ian then moved on to Blenheim in approximately 1966 as a District Valuer, returning back to Auckland in 1968 as a District Valuer Rural. In the mid 1970's Ian was in the group of Government Valuers that opened the Government Valuation Department South Auckland Branch at Manukau where he was District Valuer for a short period of time, as well as a Rural examiner in Auckland, before retiring to farm pigs at Tapapakanga on the old family farm.

In 1980 Ian returned to the Valuation Department at Manukau as a Rural Valuer and continued to work there until approximately 1988 when he retired again. In 1988 he joined Barraclough & Associates to carry out the One Tree Hill Borough Revaluation and subsequently joined the Auckland Regional Council in the early 1990s to formalise easements over property where there were drainage pipes.

Ian retired for the third time in the mid 1990's to his home in Papatoetoe where he has lived ever since.

He was a Fellow of the Institute, and on the Auckland Branch Fellowship committee.

John Andrew Ryan (JR) moved from Sydney, Australia, to Christchurch, New Zealand in the 1970s as a Registered Valuer to follow a career in valuation. Not long after arriving he was appointed to head of valuations for Trust Bank Canterbury, a position he held for a number of years.

In the early 1980s he commenced work in private practice on his own account, trading as J A Ryan & Associates. In 1987 he joined Telfer Hallinan Johnston & Co, which became Robertson Young Telfer and then TelferYoung (Canterbury) Limited. John was a partner/director of these companies until 2011.

During his time at TelferYoung, John worked in the urban sector and specialised in the residential market where he was a senior residential valuer. John joined FordBaker Valuation Limited in February 2012 and assisted the residential team in what was a very heavy workload due to the earthquakes.

John used his vast knowledge to assist and mentor younger valuers and maintained his client base until his retirement in October 2016.

He served on the committee of the Canterbury Westland branch of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers and became a Fellow of the Institute in 2011.

John acted in a highly professional manner, always respecting the ethics and integrity of the valuation profession. He enthusiastically engaged in any initiatives and direction which improved the profile of the valuation profession.

He related well to colleagues and clients and was well respected. He was a cheerful character who focussed on the positives and always seized opportunities when they presented themselves.

Accordingly, John was a very popular figure in the valuation and associated professions. He carried those qualities into his private life where he was actively and extensively involved in a range of community organisations where he made significant contributions.

Among those organisations was the Jaycees, School PTA, Canterbury Soccer and the Elmwood Bowling Club. John was always keen to lend a hand, where he could, to make the world a better place. He is survived by his wife Ann, their 3 sons Nick, Cameron and Donovan and their respective wives and grandchildren.

Mark Beatson and Terry Naylor were former colleagues of John.

David enjoyed the professional challenges of valuation practice. He put an enormous amount of his time into his work and always strived to achieve a high standard and quality. Moreover, the valuation profession was important to him and he enjoyed the client and collegial relationships. David, however, was not always in valuation and it was a long road for my father to achieve this.

David was born in and lived his early life in Auckland. His father, a reverend, moved there from England in the 1920s bringing Davids family including his older brother and two sisters. The family, however, returned to England in the mid 1930's. When David was 11 he started school at Greshams public school in Norfolk.

After school, David wanted a career in the then developing field of wireless radio and worked and studied with Marconis. His career took a significant turn when he was offered a position as an assistant tea plantation manager for a British tea company in India. He left alone at the age of 21 for Assam where he started his career as a tea planter. Life was difficult initially with the living and working conditions being quite basic, and there were times when his position was potentially dangerous. With experience and seniority, a professional and social life style emerged typified by the large tropical bungalows, the numerous servants, and club life for which David had fond memories now lost of course to history.

David met and married his Swedish wife, Ulla, on one of his home leaves. She returned to India with him and in 1956 they had a daughter, Anita and in 1960 the twins, Carin and Nicholas.

Changing times lead to changing management structures and with the pressures of education for the growing children they decided to leave India in 1966 and moved to New Zealand. David initially continued in the tea industry for which his experience was welcome and had some innovative ideas.

It was then that David entered the field of finance, studying accountancy, and getting a job with Investors Protection Company. He later moved to Wrightson NMA, and this move leads him into property management and sales. He studied Real Estate and acquired his qualifications for registration in real estate selling, for which he focused on commercial property. He later moved to Harcourts and then Simpsons real estate as opportunities arose.

It was at this time he studied valuation and was successful in completing his qualification, and subsequently becoming registered. His interests were broad but he developed experience in the valuation of petrol stations for which he was sought after and later produced a hand book on the topic. He set up his own practice from his Eastbourne house, practising in the wider Wellington area. He continued in his private practice until retirement at the age of 84.

David and Ulla enjoyed raising their family in Eastbourne. Outside work and family David was passionate about sailing and sailing boats, owning many over the years. This was the catalyst to many pleasant holidays and memories.

Ulla passed away in 2010 and David continued his work in Wellington until he was 84. Following his retirement, he left Wellington for the Thames Valley to live in a cottage next to his daughter. He had a well deserved but short retirement and passed away on April 17 2016. He will be sadly missed by all his family.

Nicholas Finnis

New Zealand's property valuation profession lost a doyen with the passing on 25 September 2016 of Thomas (Tom) Ian Marks, a graduate of Lincoln College and a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers.

Tom's reputation rested on three pillars - a first career with the Valuation Department in positions throughout New Zealand; a second career as a lecturer in Valuation at Lincoln College teaching and mentoring generations of future practitioners over a span of 18 years; and a third career in private practice and acting as an expert witness in high profile legal hearings.

Regarding the latter, the highest accolade was paid to Tom in a eulogy by High Court Justice Nicholas Davidson, who led the legal team that Tom played a pivotal part in to successfully challenge the Crown's Pastoral Lease rental review methodology for the Forest Range and Minaret Station high country properties.

Tom was, in my view, the valuer who absolutely caught the spirit of the legislation and how it should be interpreted, which directed that no rent should be based on the amenity or scenic and other values of land of this kind, but rather on the pastoral opportunity which it provided.

There were many we spoke with who wavered, were not certain, or felt there was an argument to the contrary. But Tom knew what the answer should be, as a valuer, because he understood the law which applied. His knowledge in that regard, and also of the pastoral setting and what it meant in practice, was absolute, unwavering, and he would tolerate no denting of that argument or concession.

Most of us are ephemeral and apart from family we disappear into the mists of time very quickly. Tom was one of those who will not. For his profession, for those who were lucky enough to be taught by him and work with him, he will remain an example of a true professional, a legend in his own right,” said Justice Davidson.

Tom's knowledge of pastoral and other rural settings can be traced back to the seminal education he received as a Rural Field Cadet at Lincoln College, the field placements on different farm types that the course entailed, and his subsequent Valuation Department employment in both the North and South islands.

Tom was born in Raetihi on 22 November 1936 and attended Marton District High School 1950-1952 and Wellington College in 1953. At Wellington College he was a member of the 1^st XV and sport was to be an integral part of his life right through into retirement.

From Wellington College he was selected for the elite Rural Field Cadet Scheme at Lincoln College and started it in 1954.

Toms experiences as a Rural Field cadet and later as a registered valuer are recorded in the book Herbies Boys: A History of the Rural Field Cadet Scheme 1941-1971 published in 2016 and he was an enthusiastic member of the committee which initiated the book. (Limited copies still available through Lincoln University's Alumni and Development Office, contact Anisha.Thomas @ Lincoln.ac.nz).

The RFCs were trained for subsequent placement in government departments related to the land and agriculture. Toms first job after graduating with the coveted Diploma in Valuation and Farm Management in 1958 was with the Valuation Department in Wellington. Subsequent postings took him to Masterton, Wanganui, Nelson (where he met future wife Neroli), Gisborne and finally Hamilton, where he was Senior Valuer.

While in Hamilton Tom was approached to apply for a lecturing position at Lincoln College on the retirement of his old teacher, the well-known and respected Monty Cooke. Tom was accepted and in 1969 he started an 18-year career at Lincoln lecturing in Valuation as part of the Farm Management and Rural Valuation Department, initially under the guidance of Ralph Frizzell. While a staff member he completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Commerce degree, majoring in Production Economics and Econometrics.

Tom was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 1973 and retired from Lincoln in 1987. He then worked as a Consultant for international bankers Schroders Australia Ltd who were employed by the New Zealand Treasury to calculate the value of Crown Land being corporatised under LandCorp, and joined Christchurch company Simes Valuation at the same time. Tom later worked as a Consultant/Valuer for Ernst and Young, Crighton Anderson, and then Property Advisory Ltd during his semi-retirement.

Toms involvement in the Minaret Station legal case of 2008-2009 was his professional swansong and retirement followed.

Sport was an abiding passion throughout Toms life. He was a member of the Lincoln College 1^st XV in his student days and played representative rugby for several provincial rugby unions and sub-unions including Tolaga Bay, Opotiki and Wairarapa. In his younger years he played representative level cricket for Thames Valley, including selection for a Hawke Cup match, and later in Canterbury he played for St Albans in Christchurch. After moving to West Melton in 1975 he played cricket for the Greendale Club and at representative level for Malvern sub-union. Tom retired from cricket in his mid-50s and happily played bowls and golf over the next 15-plus years until rheumatoid arthritis slowed him up.

Tom is survived by wife Neroli and children Craig and Sara.

The family affectionately farewelled Tom by saying, you've analysed your last sale, bowled your last over and played with a straight bat till the end. Now try to value Heaven.