There’s often at least a little hyperbole when someone claims to have a certain career coursing through their veins, but for Brendan Goodwin it’s almost an understatement.
“So, I’m actually a fourth-generation real estate agent!” the down-to-earth realtor tells Verve. “My great grandfather came from Ireland, and he was one of the first real estate agents in Auckland.”
Now, premier real estate firm, Goodwins, continues that family legacy, founded by Brendan’s father, Ashley Goodwin, more than half-a-century ago.
“I have fond memories of going to auctions with Dad while I was still at school,” recalls Brendan. “It’s always been part of my life.”
Though Brendan has only relatively recently joined the family firm – making the switch from commercial law, with previous roles in Melbourne, London, and here in Auckland – he has already made some serious waves. He won Business Development Manager of the Year at the REINZ awards in 2019 and 2020, and was a finalist in 2023 for the REINZ Residential Salesperson of the Year – Rising Star awards. Such recognition adds to Goodwins’ already impressive portfolio which includes them being the exclusive accommodation partner for American Magic in the 36th America’s Cup in 2021 and assisting INEOS Team UK and Prada’s the Challenger of Record. They now also serve as property partners for Kea, the global Kiwi business network.
The Goodwins team – whose core now comprises Brendan, Aleina (Brendan’s wife, who is pictured), two sisters (the eldest, Catherine, is the CEO ), and brother-in-law – previously has been ranked number one in New Zealand 13 times under a national franchise.
“Although Dad is officially retired, he’s still very much around, and still does the auctions – he loves it,” says Brendan. “He’s an absolute fountain of knowledge – there’s nothing he hasn’t seen and dealt with in this industry.”
It must be difficult to not end up talking shop at family gatherings?
“It is, as much as we try not to! But us all working together means we never have to catch up. We’re so tight, we even go on holidays together. Professionally, it means we also have a whole different level of trust in each other – which means that clients can have the utmost trust in us, too.”
What skills do you feel you’ve brought from your previous career in commercial law?
“From a practical perspective, I can give you a very specific example. I just received a reference from a buyer because I was able to sit with her and draw up a contract on the spot. She wanted to make an offer with some conditions, and I was able to negotiate and document the deal. I’m also acutely aware of trying to make things as simple as possible and having that legal background and understanding can really help with that.
“I really enjoy building relationships with people. Figuring out how we can create the best plans for each individual to help people on different stages of their investment journeys, which are all so subjective. It’s a process that I find very rewarding, often on an emotional level.”
Brendan says that he can at times be his own worst critic, but something his wife Aleina said has always stuck with him.
“She told me that I always answer the phone. That every day I come in and chip away at my goals. I guess I do like to set lofty goals – I wanted to win the Business Development Manager of the Year, for example. And I felt that we were more than capable of doing the America’s Cup job, I didn’t see why that opportunity had to go to a really big real estate agency. It’s about creating relationships, something I pride myself on.”
Aleina – and his two toddlers, Jacob and Leila – are clearly Brendan’s anchor inside the office, and out. His happy place, he says, is crashed out for family cuddles on their sprawling sofa (“with the centrepiece, it’s about the size of a queen bed!”) at the end of a long day. He makes sure to regularly update the family photos hanging on the walls, creating fresh memories, he says, as his young children develop and age. So, there’s only one question left to ask: does Brendan hope that his two tots continue the family legacy one day?
“Oh god, I mean, it’s always something that you wonder! But I think a lot of it comes down to personality. Some industries suit some people better than others. It’s reassuring to know that they’ll always have that option, and I certainly would not encourage them to not do it. I just like to create opportunities, give guidance, and allow people to make up their own minds.”
021 278 7770
brendan@goodwins.co.nz
