MEET EUAN
My Journey So Far
I’m Euan Mackenzie, and if you’re considering working with me, this bio should give you a bit of background.
I nearly became a British Airways pilot, but that dream was cut short when 9/11 happened and they cancelled the sponsorship programme. So instead, I worked through other applications with employers before landing a spot on a graduate programme at Aon in London. In 2001, I packed up my Aberdeen flat and moved south, brokering insurance in Lloyds of London. It didn’t take long to figure out this wasn’t going to be a forever thing, but it was a good introduction to negotiating some pretty large deals with some seriously sharp underwriters. You learn fast when people are counting on you not to screw it up.
By 2004, I was ready for a change and back in Edinburgh I took a role as Private Secretary to the CEO of the soon to be formed Transport Scotland. Totally different world, but fascinating in its own way; suddenly I was at the centre of projects that shaped real things, not just numbers on a page. It taught me about strategy, about people, and about juggling a million things that all seemed urgent.
By 2006, I was sitting in a job interview at Simpson & Marwick in Edinburgh. The firm was well-established, highly respected, and bursting with opportunity in residential sales. I quickly found myself thrown into the deep end, learning the ropes, figuring out what actually sold, and discovering that I genuinely enjoyed crafting the marketing copy. Over time, I managed to grow their residential sales to nearly 300 a year—a milestone that really made me realize property wasn’t just a job; it was something I could build a career around.
In 2009, Graeme and I moved to New Zealand. Stepping into the New Zealand property market was a whole new game: different rules, different clients, and a very different pace. But I quickly found my rhythm, learning the local market, building relationships, and discovering just how much I enjoyed guiding people through the buying and selling process.
First Real Estate Job
My first head shot for a job, this was taken when i was just 27 at Simpson & Marwick solicitors in Edinburgh. The grey hair had already started taking over. I had a knack of knowing the value of a property and its the part of the job i like the best, filtering through the data and using my gut instinct as to what a property should sell for.
Large Corporate Environment
When I moved to New Zealand, I joined Harcourts as their Commercial Manager in the Hutt Valley. Being part of a large national network was a great learning experience especially seeing how a big organization operates and how systems and teams come together to deliver results.
While there was an expectation that leads would flow in from colleagues across the country, I quickly realized that most buyers and tenants came through my own marketing or cold calling efforts. That taught me a lot about self-reliance, creativity, and the importance of taking initiative, skills I’ve carried with me ever since.
Self Employed Bliss
In 2016 I set up Mackenzies Real Estate and continued doing commercial real estate in Upper Hutt. In 2021 I bought a section of land on the Hokitika River and then subsequently the run down house next door. So I packed up and moved permantely to Hokitika. For the first 2 years I didn’t do any real estate and focused on renovations as I’d done 15 years in real estate and needed a bit of a break.
But in 2023 I listed my first West Coast property at 48b Keogans Road for Myra and David Waugh. You’ll notice that I no longer wear a suit and tie, the West Coast doesn’t really expect it and walking Henry on the beach in a woollen pinstripe is just bonkers. Slowly my reputation in Westland is growing and I’m connecting with community through my involvement with the Hokitika Tramping Club.
Work Life Balance
The best part of living on the West Coast is being able to get outside whenever I want. Tramping through quiet valleys, camping under star-filled skies, dinghy sailing or kayaking in the lakes, or diving beneath the surface. It has everything I need to feel energized.
Being out in the outdoors keeps things simple and reminds me why I love this place. It’s the same approach I bring to my work: helping people find homes and lifestyles that suit them, not just properties. Connect with Euan Mackenzie here.