Celebrating those who are to be made knights or dames companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in this year's Honours list. Video / NZ Herald
A half-century career in real estate, working in the Jewish community and helping found the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra are some of Aucklander Olly Newland’s achievements.
The now-retired businessman sometimes referred to as a property guru was made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2025 NewYear Honours list.
He was involved in the real estate sector from the 1960s, specialising in residential and commercial property.
Early in his career, he pioneered rent-to-buy homes for those struggling to get bank loans.
In 1981, he established Landmark Corporation, listed on the Stock Exchange, one of the earliest property investment companies allowing shareholders to buy into commercial property.
Olly Newland chips in with observations on Property Climbers' strategies.
In 1987, he lost it all: “I found myself and my family back where I had been 30 years earlier – no job, few substantial assets, little cash, no income and three children to school, clothe and feed,” he said that year.
He wrote six books on real estate between 1978 and 2005, including
The Coming New Zealand Property Boom published in 1978;
The Property Boom published in 1981;
The Rascal’s Guide to Real Estate published in 2002, described as him aiming “his flame thrower at real estate agents, bankers, lawyers, financial planners, tenants of all sorts, property syndicate promoters“;
The Day the Bubble Bursts published in 2004, on how to profit from a real estate slump;
Lost Property– The Crash of 1987 ... and the aftershock describing those tumultuous times;
Climbing the Property Ladder – tales of profit and (mis)adventure in the real estate jungle, published in 2005.
He investigated 2008’s collapse of property company Blue Chip and offered advice to investors whose life savings vanished.
He was for some years chairman of the Auckland Jewish Aged Homes Trust Board, which oversaw the rebuilding of Shalom Court, a rest home and hospital in Meadowbank. He was involved in that trust for around 15 years.
From 1979 to 1982, Newland was a city councillor, serving on the property and art gallery committees.
The justice of the peace for 34 years has also had extensive involvement with Auckland Grammar School as an old boy.
In 1980, he helped found the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra after the collapse of the Auckland Symphonia. He was the orchestra’s inaugural president.
Greatest achievement: “Staying alive. I’ve just turned 85.”
Biggest mistake: “I made so many of them that I don’t know where to start. I think everybody makes mistakes. I made plenty. I can’t say which is the biggest.”
Most influential person: “My wife Merle. She’s my first wife. It’s a joke. We have three children.”
Greatest legacy: “Between myself and my wife, we hopefully provided a good example to our kids and our grandchildren. Secondly, I’d like to think that I’d explained the complexities of real estate to people because it’s not just housing. It covers every emotion a person has and it’s a very touchy subject.”
