McDonald Real Estate was founded in 1912 by Michael McDonald Senior. Having immigrated from Ireland in 1899, Michael worked on farms throughout New Zealand and began negotiating land deals as well as livestock and butterfat from his farm based on the outskirts of Stratford.
Michael McDonald's journals show land sales from as low as £10.00 per acre and butterfat from 1 shilling per pound. He continued to develop his one-man band until his son, Tom, joined him in the mid forties. Together, they continued as a father and son partnership until Michael McDonald's retirement and subsequent death in 1961.
McDonald Real Estate began operating from 288 Broadway in Stratford in 1921. To this day, the office is still located at the same premises - 80 years later. After his father's retirement, Tom McDonald continued the business as a sole practitioner for several years and in the late 1960s, he formed a partnership with Mr. W.l. (Joe) Witton. Together, they operated McDonald Real Estate, which concentrated on the Stratford market.
In 1976, Tom McDonald's son, Peter, then 22 years of age, joined his father in the family business. In 1981, another son, Michael, (31) also joined the firm. The father and sons team proceeded to be big success for McDonald Real Estate and the blend of experience and youthfulness saw the market place soar. During this time, they were consistently handling 75 - 80% of the entire rural market for Taranaki. With the growth in sales came expansion and the company opened further offices in both Inglewood and Eltham - soon becoming the major operator in both areas.
The rural sales team was developed and expanded and the companies market share has been maintained, even in today's extremely competitive market place. Michael McDonald retired from the firm in 1999, leaving his father, Tom, and brother, Peter, to continue with the business while he tried his hand at dairy conversion in Southland. Michael has now successfully converted over 400 hectares and has one of the top performing dairy units in Southland.
The McDonald Real Estate operation now totally services Taranaki with offices in Stratford, New Plymouth, Bell Block, Oakura, Waitara, Inglewood, Eltham and Hawera. The company also services Opunake, Manaia, Waverley and Patea. There are nine full time rural sales people who live in the districts that they serve, providing valuable local knowledge to both buyers and sellers. Likewise, the benefits for a person intending to purchase through McDonald Real Estate are considerable.
Michael McDonald Senior
The original founder of McDonald Real Estate in 1912, Michael McDonald worked originally from his home until the early 1920s when he established his Stratford office. He remained involved in the business up until his retirement in the late 1950s and he died in 1961, aged 82. The photo on the right shows Michael McDonald Senior shortly before his death in 1961 and is a facinating portrait when compared to the above photo, taken in 1900.
Tom McDonald
Tom joined his father, Michael, in the late 1940's and continued to be fully involved in all aspects of the company until his death in April 2001. At the age of 78, he was among the oldest and most respected members of the Real Estate Institute and was awarded his fellowship in 1965. Among Toms other interests were his racehorses and his pedigree Hereford stud. Tom enjoyed great success with his horse, "All In Fun". He was also a president of the New Zealand Hereford Association and achieved considerable success with his Hereford cattle - both in the sales ring and the show ring. Tom was very much the family man and his influence can be strongly felt in all dealings with McDonald Real Estate.
Peter McDonald
In 1976 at just 22 years old, I joined the business with my father, Tom, and became one of the youngest in the country to hold an associate of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand. In 1979, I went on to become the managing
In 1976 at just 22 years old, I joined the business with my father, Tom, and became one of the youngest in the country to hold an associate of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand. In 1979, I went on to become the managing director of the company, which has since grown from a two person partnership in 1976 to a company with a staff of 46 and a turnover in excess of $100 million. I am based in our Stratford office, which still occupies the same spot that my grandfather, Michael, set up in 1920. As a third generation owner, my main goal is to ensure the company remains among the top performers in the industry and that it continues to grow and prosper until the forth and possibly fifth generation of family take over the reins. In 1998, I was awarded a fellowship of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand in recognition of my services to the Taranaki real estate industry.
Rodney Perrett
I have been involved in real estate since February 1998, having come into the industry from a farming and chef background. I have completed my AREINZ qualifications at Massey University and I'm now responsible for not only selling rural real estate in South Taranaki, but also for managing the rural team at the Hawera office. I am currently the managing director of the company, working alongside Peter McDonald. My focus is now not only on property sales but also on the progress and development of our entire company.
Our Mission Statement
"To provide a Real Estate Service that is second to none."
McDonald Real Estate Ltd. will conduct business in a manner that will display professionalism, integrity and honesty.
All customers will enjoy the experience of using our services and will feel confident in referring us to friends and family.