Persistence has paid off for Rotorua teenager Jon Parrington, who is believed to be one of the youngest people to secure a real estate licence in New Zealand.
Mr Parrington was granted a scholarship by Harcourts Rotorua, giving him 12 months fulltime work, during which he was allowed to study and complete his papers for his real estate qualification.
On December 31 last year he turned 18 - the minimum age for being qualified in the industry - submitted his application, and received his certification the following month.
"He is possibly the youngest in New Zealand," said Harcourts Rotorua director Glenn Austin, who said he had been impressed by the teenager's determination to enter the industry.
"He'd been knocking on my door for more than 18 months asking about a career in real estate. His persistence impressed me. Lots of young guys have great ideas then five minutes later they change their minds, but Jon was determined he was going to be a real estate salesperson. I know he's got aspirations to be more than that at some time."