Impact Award Winner

Celebrating the people behind the people – and a well-deserved national win for Janet

We’re incredibly proud to celebrate Janet Watters of Ray White Whangārei & Tutukaka, who has been named 2026 Trade Me Property Impact Awards Support Hero of the Year.

The award recognises the people working behind the scenes who are integral to the success of their teams – improving processes, supporting their people and helping businesses operate at their very best.

And if you know Janet, you’ll know this recognition could not be more fitting.

The powerhouse behind our Value Team

Janet is the operational backbone of Ray White Whangārei & Tutukaka and an influential leader within the wider real estate administration community.

One of her most significant achievements has been establishing and leading our centralised Value Team, a dedicated support team that works alongside more than 35 agents across our two offices.

The Value Team has become an integral part of how we operate – creating consistency, efficiency and exceptional support for our salespeople, while helping them deliver an even better experience for their clients.

So while Janet may be the person holding the award, this recognition is very much a reflection of the entire Value Team.

It represents the knowledge, commitment, collaboration and care that our administrators bring to the business every day.

Leadership that makes a difference

Janet’s impact goes well beyond systems and processes.

She is the kind of leader who notices when someone needs support, steps up when things get challenging and genuinely cares about the people around her.

Her leadership was particularly evident during a challenging period for one of our team members, when Janet worked tirelessly to ensure the wider team continued to be supported and our high standards of service remained unchanged.

It’s this combination of operational expertise, resilience, empathy and genuine care for her people that makes Janet such a valuable part of our business.

She has also played an important role in national software pilots, helping shape and improve new technology and processes being introduced across the industry.

A national recognition

Janet was one of just 18 finalists selected from more than 550 nominations across the 2026 Trade Me Property Impact Awards, making her eventual win an incredible achievement.

To have someone from our Whangārei team recognised on a national stage is something we’re incredibly proud of – particularly because the award celebrates the often unseen work that keeps a successful real estate business moving.

The emails, systems, processes, problem-solving, planning and support that happen behind the scenes might not always be visible to our clients, but they make a huge difference to the experience we are able to provide.

And Janet is at the heart of so much of it.

Celebrating the best in Kiwi real estate

The Impact Awards brought together some of the best people, teams and businesses from across the New Zealand property industry for a fantastic night of celebration, with Paddy Gower as MC, keeping the evening buzzing and the room entertained.

A huge congratulations to all of the 2026 Trade Me Property Impact Awards winners and finalists, including:

• People’s Choice Award: Sheree Williams | SW Real Estate, Invercargill
• NZ’s Favourite Property Manager: Monique B. | Barfoot & Thompson Takapuna
• Trailblazer of the Year: Nick Gilbert | Bayleys Ponsonby
• Innovator of the Year: Anju Team DNA | Barfoot & Thompson Flat Bush
• Community Relationship Award: Martin Cooper & Nikki Revell | Harcourts Cooper & Co
• Support Hero of the Year: Janet Watters | Ray White Whangārei & Tutukaka
• Digital Marketing Excellence Award: Aaron Foss | Barfoot & Thompson Mission Bay
• Signature Agent of the Year: Stephanie Porowini
• Residential Office of the Year: Bayleys Mt Eden
• Rental Office of the Year: Fox Realty
• Commercial Office of the Year: Barfoot & Thompson Commercial

It was fantastic to see so many talented people from across the industry recognised for the difference they are making — and we’re incredibly proud that Janet was among them.

Congratulations, Janet!

We couldn’t be prouder to see Janet take home this award.

Congratulations, Janet – and congratulations to our incredible Value Team.

This award might have Janet’s name on it, but we know it’s built on the collective effort of an entire team of people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to support our agents, our clients and each other.

We’re incredibly lucky to have you all in our corner.