Real Estate Institute of New Zealand

Office address: Level 3, 155 Khyber Pass Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023
Website: reinz.co.nz
Year established: 1915
Company type: not-for-profit membership organisation
Employees: 50+
Expertise: property data, market analysis, digital tools, professional development, industry advocacy, legal advisory, residential sales, rural property, property management, member support
Parent company: N/A
Key people: Lizzy Ryley (CEO), Rowan Dixon (COO), David Newton (head of education), Melisa Beight (general counsel), Trevor Delany (chief digital and innovation officer)
Financing status: N/A

The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) is the main group for real estate professionals in the country. Based in Auckland, it is a non-profit organisation owned by its members, with no shareholders, and supports about 17,000 people. This includes:

• agents
• property managers
• auctioneers
• brokers

REINZ’s goal is to help its members deliver top real estate services and keep the profession strong and trusted. As of 2024, it has delivered over 65,600 hours of learning, and handled more than 14,600 member emails and 16,700 phone calls during the year.

History of Real Estate Institute of New Zealand

REINZ started in the early twentieth century, when land agents across New Zealand began meeting to discuss changes in the property market and new laws. These gatherings helped shape the industry and gave agents a way to share ideas and set standards.

A new era for real estate

A national group called the Dominion Estate Agents and Land Auctioneers Association formed in 1915 in Wellington. This group later became the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand. By the 1960s, REINZ joined forces with the New Zealand Licensed Land Agents Association, creating a single, stronger voice for real estate professionals.

REINZ’s growth and development

Membership grew quickly as new laws required all licensed agents to join the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand. The Institute moved its main office from Wellington to Auckland in 1924 to follow its secretary. Over the years, it settled at several locations before moving to Khyber Pass Road in 2017.

A major change came in 2008, when the government set up the Real Estate Authority to handle licensing and discipline. REINZ became a voluntary membership group but kept its focus on supporting and guiding real estate professionals. Today, it remains a trusted name for agents, property managers and others in the industry.

Real Estate Institute of New Zealand products and services

REINZ offers a wide range of property data, digital tools and professional support for the real estate sector. These services are designed to help members make informed decisions and grow their businesses:

Property data and digital tools

• property data and insights: up-to-date sales numbers, market trends and analysis for members
• data products: mapping tools, custom reports, APIs and the Statistics Portal for market intelligence
• house price index: monthly updates on house price movements across New Zealand
• RentalSmarts: statistics and insights for residential property managers, with access to current and past listings
• residential property reports: detailed reports on residential sales and property values
• rural and lifestyle reports: insights on rural and lifestyle property trends
• automated valuation model: machine learning tools for accurate property price predictions
• PropertySmarts: comparative market analysis tool for tailored client appraisals, exclusive to members
• eForms: electronic agreements and forms in partnership with The Law Association of New Zealand

Professional support and member services

• professional development: workshops, online courses and in-person events for ongoing learning
• advisory service: legal and regulatory guidance for real estate professionals
• events and awards: conferences, networking and recognition of industry achievements
• news and articles: updates on market news, innovation and industry developments

The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand brings together a large network of real estate professionals and supports their growth with trusted resources. Members benefit from access to industry-leading data, training and community support, no matter their role or experience.

Company culture and values

According to the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand, members join a professional network focused on support, connection and high standards. Members can access these benefits:

• RentalSmarts access: free use of the RentalSmarts appraisal tool for rental appraisals
• best practice resources: guides, templates, webinars and industry reports
• industry forms: tenancy and leasing agreements, plus management authority forms
• advisory services: help with regulatory requirements and updates on new laws
• advocacy: representation to lawmakers and policy makers
• tribunal and topic updates: regular updates on Tenancy Tribunal decisions and RPM news
• networking events: exclusive member events across New Zealand
• property management accreditation: recognition of skill and competence
• education and training: beginner guides, NZ Certificate (Level 4) and free online CPD courses
• member pricing: discounted rates for courses and other paid benefits
• member benefits program: special offers and discounts from partner companies

Real Estate Institute of New Zealand members agree to follow the REINZ Codes of Practice and act with honesty and openness. They must also meet the rules set by the Real Estate Authority and the Residential Tenancies Act.

About CEO Lizzy Ryley and key people

Lizzy Ryley became CEO of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand in June 2025. She was previously chief executive at Flybuys and held senior roles at Woolworths Group. Ryley has strong experience in marketing, loyalty and data strategy.

The REINZ leadership team includes experienced professionals who guide the organisation and support its members:

• Rowan Dixon serves as COO, managing financial and commercial strategies since joining in 2016
• David Newton leads education, delivering high quality learning and development for the industry
• Melisa Beight heads legal and advocacy, supporting members and leading the Advisory Service
• Trevor Delany is chief digital and innovation officer, driving digital services and data products for members

This team is responsible for delivering value to members and keeping the profession future ready. Their combined experience helps REINZ support and guide the real estate industry in New Zealand.

The future at Real Estate Institute of New Zealand

In 2025, REINZ appointed Lizzy Ryley as chief executive to lead innovation, data strategy and member engagement. The organisation aims to adapt to industry changes and deliver more value as the sector evolves. With this leadership, the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand is focused on building a trusted and future-ready profession for its members.

REINZ also tracks and shares market trends, like the rise in regional prices even as sales stay slow as of late 2025. It stated that 13 out of 16 regions saw higher median prices, but national sales dropped 3.7% year-on-year in August. This reporting gives agents and clients clear market insights, helping them make better decisions and trusting REINZ as a reliable source.