Opinion

In business, growth can be addictive. More offices. More agents. More market share. On paper, expansion looks like success. But after years in this industry, I’ve learned something that matters more than any growth graph:

Harcourts Property Centre has marked its tenth anniversary with the launch of its 2026 strategy, titled ‘The Next Chapter’. The milestone event celebrated a decade of growth and a record-breaking financial year, seeing the group eclipse the $1 billion mark for the first time.

his year, I started a small habit. At the end of each week, I write one thing I’m grateful for on a piece of paper and drop it into a jar. It’s the first year I’ve done this, mainly because I live a big, busy life and realised I was rushing past moments that actually matter.

For 24-year-old Whatawhata local Summer Hainsworth, buying her first home wasn’t just a milestone moment for her family, it was the spark that reignited a long-held dream to work in real estate.

Valentine’s Day is often associated with romance — but at its core, it’s really about trust. About choosing to believe in someone. About allowing yourself to be seen, supported, and guided into something new. This story is a tribute to that kind of love.