As the residential real estate market moves into a new cycle, Bayleys Real Estate Auckland has made a high-profile and strategic new appointment to the leadership team based at its Wynyard Quarter head office.

Former chief executive of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ), Jen Baird takes up the role of executive director for Bayleys Auckland Residential, where she’s tasked with guiding the firm’s residential business across 20 offices with a current team of 350 salespeople from Bombay to Coatesville.

Baird spent nearly four years as REINZ chief executive and during her tenure is credited with playing a significant role in large-scale transformation projects and overseeing the growth and development of the entity’s educational offerings. Prior to this, she held management positions at Hamilton City Council and real estate company, Barfoot & Thompson.

Saying a return to agency business puts her firmly back in the “cut and thrust” of the property industry, Baird says Bayleys is an ambitious business where team culture runs deep.

“The Bayleys culture is pivotal to the firm’s success in the industry. It’s an impressive New Zealand business and the team really walks the talk, operating in an environment that encourages people to be ambitious for themselves and what they can achieve, with support to get them to the top of their game.

“To those outside the industry, real estate can look easy but it’s a hard gig requiring discipline, structure and both business and people acumen.

“I look forward to furthering the success of the high-performing Bayleys Auckland residential team and growing the business.”

Noted for her passion for all things property, Baird says her time at REINZ gave her a broad view of the multi-faceted market from legislative and compliance issues, the real estate eco-system and how that fits into the wider economy, and insight to comprehensive sales and activity data.

“That role allowed me to see across the market, and across brands to see the impact education, data, digital services and advocacy had on the market. I know the power that the best tools and environment can have for people to thrive.

“In more general terms, we all love to talk about property – it dominates everyday conversations and as commentator Bernard Hickey puts it, ‘New Zealand doesn’t have an economy: it has a housing market with bits tacked on’.

“At its core though, real estate is about people and their life choices. Having a secure place to live is a fundamental need for everyone and facilitating change in people’s lives is a big responsibility.”

Chief executive Bayleys Real Estate Auckland, Lloyd Budd says Baird’s appointment is a proactive move by the firm to grow the Bayleys brand and to continue leading the market in customer service and innovation.

“Our Auckland residential arm has grown considerably in recent times with the acquisitions of agency Unlimited Potential and other key businesses and talent. Five new offices went live last year, and we saw a significant increase in brand awareness through various initiatives.

“As 2025 unfolds and with a market upswing widely anticipated off the back of improving economic indicators, it is important that we support the growth of our agents, and the evolution of our teams across Auckland.

“Jen understands the residential agency business and brings significant industry knowledge, broad leadership experience, and strategic insight to our wider team as we pursue our growth vision.”