Barfoot & Thompson
Business/Trading Name: Barfoot & Thompson Limited (commonly known simply as “Barfoot & Thompson”).
Company Number: 75655 (NZ Companies Office registration).
NZBN (New Zealand Business Number): 9429040613178.
Entity Type: Registered New Zealand Limited Company.
Business Classification: L672010 – Real Estate Agency Service (primary activity: residential/commercial real estate sales and related services).
Industry Category: Real estate services (property sales, leasing, and management).
Year Founded: 1923 (originally established as “V. Barfoot Land Agent” by founder Val Barfoot). Incorporated as a limited company in 1968.
Addresses: Registered office at Level 7, 34 Shortland Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, New Zealand. (Previously headquartered at 50 Kitchener Street, Auckland until 2014.)
Website URL:
https://www.barfoot.co.nz.
LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/barfoot-&-thompson.
CompanyHub NZ URL: https://www.companyhub.nz/companyDetails.cfm?nzbn=9429040613178
NZ Companies Office URL: https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/75655
Social Media URLs:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/barfootandthompson/;
Twitter (X) –https://twitter.com/BarfootThompson
Instagram – instagram.com/barfootthompson ;
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@barfootandthompson
Ultimate Holding Company: Val Barfoot Limited (holding vehicle for Barfoot family) – 50% ownership; and Maurice Thompson Limited (holding vehicle for Thompson family) – 50% ownership. Barfoot & Thompson Ltd is jointly owned by these two family companies, reflecting a 50/50 split between the Barfoot and Thompson families. (No external corporate parent; it remains family-held.)
Key Shareholders: The Barfoot family and the Thompson family, through the above holding companies. On the Barfoot side, major shareholders include Garth C. Barfoot (son of founder Val Barfoot) and his children (notably Kiri Barfoot, Stephen Barfoot, etc.), who collectively own 50% via Val Barfoot Ltd. On the Thompson side, Managing Director Peter Thompson (grandson of co-founder Maurice Thompson) and his sister Margot Thompson each hold 25% (together owning the other 50% via Maurice Thompson Ltd). (The company has remained entirely in family hands, with no public shareholding.)
Leadership: Peter Thompson – Managing Director (third-generation family leader on the Thompson side). Stephen Barfoot – Director (third-generation Barfoot family leader). Chris Dobbie – Chief Executive Officer (long-time company executive, became CEO in 2018). Founding family members Val Barfoot and Maurice Thompson are deceased; current leadership is composed of their descendants and long-serving executives. (Notable former leaders include Wendy Alexander, CEO from ~2005 until retiring in 2018.)
Staff: Approximately 2,400 total employees, including over 1,800 licensed salespeople across more than 75 branch offices. (The company reports having “over 80 branches” in Auckland, Northland, and now parts of Waikato & Bay of Plenty. This makes it the largest real estate agency by staff and sales volume in New Zealand.)
Staff That Have Held Previous Government Roles: Several Barfoot & Thompson personnel have come from or moved into government positions, illustrating revolving-door connections at the local level. For example, a current Projects Manager previously worked as a senior urban planner at Auckland Council for a decade before joining the company. Another manager spent nine years in a management role at Auckland Council’s animal control unit prior to moving to Barfoot & Thompson. In addition, some real estate agents of the firm have simultaneously served in local government: notably Sarah Higgins, who was a Barfoot & Thompson salesperson and an elected member of the Franklin Local Board (Auckland Council) while in her 20s. (Higgins was a rising local politician and a member of the youth wing of a political party, illustrating the intersection of the firm’s personnel with political roles.) These examples underscore that Barfoot & Thompson’s staff roster includes individuals with insider government experience or political involvement.
Past Employees: Wendy Alexander – Former Chief Executive Officer of Barfoot & Thompson (led the company for ~10 years, with 21 years total at the firm). She retired from the CEO role in 2018 and subsequently joined another real estate company (Property Brokers) as a regional manager. Another past employee of note (name not publicly disclosed) was the residential sales staffer who leaked internal sales data in 2015, sparking a national political controversy (this individual was terminated by the company for the unauthorized leak). Aside from long-tenured family members, Barfoot & Thompson is known for retaining many employees for decades; departures into public service roles or competitor firms are relatively infrequent and often notable in industry news.
Clients: Barfoot & Thompson’s client base spans private individual property owners and homebuyers, property investors/landlords, and property developers. As Auckland’s largest realtor, the firm serves thousands of homeowners selling or buying houses each year, as well as landlords through its rental property management division (managing over 17,000 Auckland rental properties). The company’s “Projects” unit caters to developers of new apartment complexes and subdivisions, offering project marketing and sales services. Corporate and institutional clients (such as banks disposing of assets, or government entities selling surplus land) occasionally use the firm’s auction and sales services as well. In essence, Barfoot & Thompson represents sellers of real estate (and landlords seeking tenants) across residential, rural, and commercial sectors, and provides brokerage services to buyers in those transactions. (Notably, the firm has had many high-net-worth and overseas clients during Auckland’s property boom; for example, prior to 2018, a significant subset of its home-buying clients were foreign investors, especially from China, a fact the company has acknowledged.)
Industries/Sectors Represented: Primarily the real estate industry (residential and commercial property sector). Barfoot & Thompson is a leading voice within the property market and often seen as representing the interests of real estate agencies and property sellers. Through its commercial sales and leasing arm, it is also involved in the commercial property sector (office, retail, industrial real estate). The company’s activities cover residential housing, rental property management, rural and lifestyle property sales, body corporate (strata) management, and new property development marketing. Indirectly, via industry associations, the firm is tied into the broader property investment sector (landlords, investors) and housing construction sector (advocating for policies that affect housing supply and demand). In political terms, Barfoot & Thompson often aligns with the real estate industry’s positions on housing policy, tax, and urban planning – effectively representing private property owners’ and realtors’ interests in those debates.
Publicly Disclosed Engagements: Barfoot & Thompson’s direct lobbying or political engagements are seldom voluntarily disclosed by the company; however, some instances are on the public record. In October 2018, Managing Director Peter Thompson held a formal meeting with Housing Minister Phil Twyford to discuss housing issues. This meeting was noted in the Minister’s official diary and indicates the company’s access to high-level policymakers during a period of significant housing policy reform. The firm’s leaders also participate in government consultations via industry bodies – for example, Barfoot & Thompson (through Peter Thompson and others) has input into submissions made by the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand on legislation affecting property sales and rentals (e.g. reforms to foreign buyer rules, taxation of investment properties, tenancy law changes). Barfoot & Thompson representatives have appeared in parliamentary select committee processes indirectly (often under the umbrella of industry groups rather than in the company’s name). At the local level, company managers maintain dialogue with Auckland Council on urban planning and regulatory matters, though these interactions are typically informal. A notable disclosed public engagement in the local government arena was the company’s sponsorship of and attendance at the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup Day at Ellerslie Racecourse, an event in which political figures (such as Rt. Hon. Winston Peters in 2024) were present as invited guests. (Overall, much of Barfoot & Thompson’s political engagement occurs behind closed doors or via proxies, so formal disclosures are sparse.)
Affiliations: Barfoot & Thompson is a prominent member of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ), the professional body for realtors – Peter Thompson is a life member of REINZ and a past Auckland branch president, reflecting the firm’s deep involvement. The company is also part of the New Zealand Realtors Network (NZRN), a coalition of independent realty firms – it was a founding member and holds shares in this network which facilitates nationwide referrals and data sharing. Internationally, Barfoot & Thompson belongs to the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World network, giving it affiliations with luxury realtors globally. As a family-owned business, it’s active in the Family Business Association (FBA) of NZ – the Barfoot and Thompson families have been recognized with a national Family Business Excellence Award. The firm is tied into Auckland’s business community via groups like the Auckland Business Chamber (membership likely, given its size and civic profile) and maintains relationships with property investor associations (Barfoot executives frequently speak at landlord seminars or property investment expos, indicating at least informal affiliation). Barfoot & Thompson also has cooperative links with Property Brokers Limited in provincial NZ (the former CEO Wendy Alexander joined Property Brokers, and the companies share a similar ethos), and it owns a majority stake in Lodge Real Estate in Hamilton, aligning it with that regional firm’s network. These affiliations collectively bolster the company’s influence and intelligence-gathering across the real estate sector.
Sponsorships/Collaborations: The company heavily advertises its community sponsorships as part of its public image. Major long-term charitable partnerships include being a Five-Star Partner of the Starship Foundation (New Zealand’s national children’s hospital), through which Barfoot & Thompson has raised over NZ$6 million for pediatric medical care since 2003. It also supports Mercy Hospice Auckland with funding and fundraising, and has sponsored the Auckland Santa Parade for years (their branded float is a staple of the annual Christmas parade). In arts and culture, the firm famously donated a large public artwork, “The Lighthouse” by Michael Parekowhai, to Auckland City in 2017/18 – contributing around NZ$1 million to gift this sculpture on Queens Wharf to the Council for Auckland’s public art collection. Barfoot & Thompson is deeply involved in sports sponsorship: it holds naming rights to the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Marathon (and its Kids Marathon), sponsors the People’s Triathlon Series and the Mount Maunganui Triathlon, and is an official partner of the New Zealand Olympic Team through 2028. The company has invested in community sports for decades – it has been a sponsor of Auckland Rugby Union since 1986 (and by extension supports the Auckland Blues Super Rugby team, including the women’s Blues team in Super Rugby Aupiki). It also backs provincial rugby, such as Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union. Additionally, Barfoot & Thompson is the naming sponsor of the Barfoot & Thompson Stadium in East Auckland, a community sports arena (in partnership with a local trust and Auckland Council). The firm collaborates with Auckland Council on various community events and amenities; beyond the art donation and stadium, it has supported Auckland Zoo as a principal partner, and local events like the Takapuna Winter Lights Festival. These sponsorships serve to entrench the company in the community and project an image of a civic-minded organisation.
Events (Organised by this Organisation): Barfoot & Thompson hosts a number of high-profile events, often tied to its sponsorship portfolio or milestones. Internally, it organises extravagant functions to mark anniversaries – for its 90th anniversary in 2013, the company threw a gala dinner for over 3,500 attendees (staff and partners) at Auckland’s Vector Arena, featuring live entertainment, a historical multimedia show, and a fireworks display. At that event, the company announced major charitable donations (NZ$1 million to an Auckland public project and $500,000 to a heritage building fund). For the 100th anniversary in 2023, Barfoot & Thompson launched a centennial book and media campaign, and held commemorative events (details of the centenary celebration were not fully public, but likely similar in scale to the 90th). The company also regularly organises charity auctions and fundraising events at its branch level – for example, yearly charity breakfast auctions where all proceeds go to Starship or hospice, which collectively contribute to the millions raised. As a market leader, Barfoot & Thompson occasionally convenes market briefings/seminars (often in collaboration with media or property institutes) – e.g. annual housing market summits for clients, where company directors discuss property trends (these are quasi-promotional but also informational events). They have also hosted community housing workshops and first-home-buyer seminars in collaboration with Auckland Council or government initiatives, positioning themselves as facilitators in housing programs. In summary, the firm’s self-organised events range from lavish corporate celebrations to grassroots community fundraisers, all of which serve to reinforce its influential presence in Auckland’s social and economic life.
Political Donations: Barfoot & Thompson as a company does not publicly donate to political parties (corporate donations of that kind are uncommon in NZ and would be disclosed). However, the Barfoot family behind the company – particularly longtime director Garth Barfoot – has been a significant donor in New Zealand politics. Garth C. Barfoot, son of the founder, is a well-known donor to the centre-right National Party. He has regularly contributed large sums: for example, in 2016 he donated a total of NZ$41,495 to the National Party, making him one of National’s top five disclosed donors that year. In 2020, Garth Barfoot gave NZ$35,000 to National’s campaign, a donation which the party belatedly declared in 2021. (He has been described as a “long-time National supporter” and “real estate bigwig” in media reports on political funding.) These donations are often made in Garth’s personal capacity, but they clearly stem from the wealth amassed through Barfoot & Thompson’s success. There is little evidence of substantial donations to other parties – the pattern of disclosure suggests the family’s political giving is focused on parties that oppose new taxes on property or heavy market regulation. Peter Thompson and the Thompson family are not publicly known for political donations, but they have connections with political figures through other means. It’s worth noting that the company’s name itself surfaced in election-year discourse: in 2023 the incoming National-led government proposed easing the foreign buyer ban and cited real estate industry views, aligning with preferences long espoused by Barfoot & Thompson’s leadership (though no direct donation from the company was involved, policy alignment can be traced through the personal donations and advocacy by figures like Garth Barfoot). All told, the formal, legally disclosed political donations linked to Barfoot & Thompson come via its owners – chiefly the Barfoot family – rather than the corporate entity, and they have run into the tens of thousands of dollars in recent elections.
Controversies: Barfoot & Thompson’s public image as a reputable family firm has been marred on occasion by incidents revealing ethical or political controversies:
Data Leak and “Chinese Buyer” Controversy (2015): In mid-2015, the company became embroiled in a political firestorm when housing sales data (allegedly from Barfoot & Thompson’s internal records) was leaked to the opposition Labour Party. Labour used the data to argue that foreign (in particular Chinese) buyers were driving up Auckland house prices, citing that nearly 40% of homes sold in a quarter had surnames of Chinese origin. Barfoot & Thompson’s leadership reacted strongly – they launched an internal investigation and swiftly fired the staff member responsible for the leak. Managing Director Peter Thompson stated that if the leaked data was indeed theirs, it had been “given illegally”, and the company implied the whistleblower had breached privacy. CEO Wendy Alexander publicly downplayed the significance of the data, saying the high number of Chinese-sounding names was “inevitable” and “nothing unusual” in Auckland and that the info received “an unnecessary amount of attention”. This response drew criticism – Labour’s housing spokesperson accused Barfoot & Thompson of punishing a whistleblower who exposed an important issue. The episode cast the firm in a defensive role in the heated foreign buyer debate. It highlighted Barfoot & Thompson’s interest in suppressing information about overseas buyers, presumably to avoid public backlash or policy changes that might hurt its business. Indeed, the controversy arguably paved the way for the subsequent ban on foreign homebuyers, a policy the company privately opposed. The handling of the leak – firing the employee and distancing the firm from the data – was seen by some as prioritising the company’s sales pipeline over transparency in the housing market.
Disciplinary Actions for Misconduct: As with many large real estate agencies, Barfoot & Thompson has faced regulatory rebukes for the conduct of its agents. A notable case came in 2018, when the Real Estate Agents Authority (REA) censured a Barfoot & Thompson salesperson and her manager for giving a buyer misleading information about a property’s view being built out. The agent (Yan Lin) told a purchaser that a new development next door would not obstruct their view, which proved false – the REA disciplinary tribunal found this to be misrepresentation. Both the agent and the branch manager were found guilty of unsatisfactory conduct and fined NZ$6,000 and $2,000 respectively. This incident, publicised in the NZ Herald, tarnished the firm’s reputation for honesty in dealings. There have been other complaints over the years regarding pressure tactics at auctions or non-disclosure of property defects, though major legal cases have been rare. Barfoot & Thompson’s size means it inevitably has some “bad apples,” but critics say the firm could do more to ensure ethical standards – pointing to this 2018 case as evidence of a corporate culture that, at times, prioritises closing deals over full transparency with buyers.
COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Controversy (2020–21): During the 2020 pandemic lockdowns, Barfoot & Thompson drew attention for claiming large government wage subsidies, then not volunteering to repay them despite the housing market rebounding strongly. The company received over NZ$4.0 million from the government’s Wage Subsidy Scheme to support about 600 employees during the April-May 2020 lockdown. At the time, property sales briefly plummeted, justifying the subsidy. However, in the latter half of 2020 the real estate market boomed to record levels, and Barfoot & Thompson enjoyed extremely high sales volumes and presumably healthy profits. By early 2021, media (including RNZ’s Checkpoint) criticised major real estate agencies for not returning subsidy funds “despite record property prices”. Barfoot & Thompson, having received the largest amount in the industry (~$4m), became a focus of this critique. The firm defended its subsidy use by noting the uncertainty and that it met the criteria at the time. Nonetheless, the optics were poor: a wealthy, family-owned company benefiting from a taxpayer bailout and then riding a housing boom. Unlike some corporates, Barfoot & Thompson did not repay the subsidy voluntarily, attracting public ire. This episode raised questions about the firm’s social responsibility and willingness to share gains when times turned out better than expected.
“Integrity-Washing” Accusations: Barfoot & Thompson’s heavy promotion of its community service and ethical values has invited some skepticism. The company brands itself around “People, Family, Diversity, Community” values and publicises charitable works. However, watchdog groups suggest this can be a form of integrity washing – using highly visible good works to deflect attention from less savoury practices like political lobbying or aggressive profit-driven behavior. For instance, in 2018 the company won praise for donating Parekowhai’s Lighthouse sculpture to Auckland, but in the same year it lobbied against rental law reforms that would strengthen tenant rights (through REINZ submissions). Such contrasts lead critics to question whether Barfoot & Thompson’s corporate philanthropy is partly aimed at protecting its privileged position and defusing calls for regulatory change. The lack of transparency around its political activities exacerbates this concern: the firm discloses its donations to Starship Hospital readily, yet it does not disclose meetings with ministers or the advice it privately gives governments on housing policy. This gap between public altruism and behind-closed-doors influence has been highlighted by civic transparency advocates. (These criticisms are indicative of the challenges in assessing Barfoot & Thompson – the company’s positive community contributions are real, but so is its role in a property industry that has resisted certain reforms. Part Two will delve further into these tensions.)
Other Incidents: Over its long history, Barfoot & Thompson has had occasional stumbles – e.g. controversies in the 1990s around industry commission-fixing (sector-wide issue), or isolated cases of fraud by rogue agents. There have also been nepotism questions (with fourth-generation family members taking roles, though this is unsurprising in a family firm). By and large, however, the firm has avoided any single scandal of a magnitude that seriously threatened its business. Its most significant controversies in the past decade are those related to the political economy of housing – data secrecy, lobbying, and public accountability – which is exactly the focus of The Integrity Institute’s interest in this profile.
Other Information of Note: Barfoot & Thompson is New Zealand’s largest privately-owned, non-franchised real estate company. Unlike most major agencies that operate on franchise models, Barfoot & Thompson has kept all branches company-owned, enabling centralized control over operations and messaging. This unique model (for a firm its size) has often been cited as a factor in its market dominance and arguably makes its lobbying influence more coherent than a franchised competitor’s. The company sells roughly one in every three homes in Auckland – an enormous market share in the nation’s biggest city. This dominance gives it outsized influence on market data and public perception: its monthly sales reports are closely followed indicators, effectively shaping media narratives around the property market. The Barfoot and Thompson families are extremely wealthy as a result; the NBR Rich List estimated the Barfoot family’s net worth at around $100 million in 2018 (with the Thompson family presumably similarly affluent), although the value of the company itself (with annual sales turnover in the billions of dollars) would be far higher. Barfoot & Thompson has begun expanding beyond its traditional Auckland/Northland base in recent years – opening offices in Tauranga and the Waikato and acquiring regional realtors (e.g. Whangamata Real Estate in 2024) – which could extend its political influence into those areas. The firm is deeply ingrained in Auckland society: the Barfoot and Thompson family members are notable public figures (Garth Barfoot, for instance, is known for philanthropy and even in his 80s as an Ironman triathlete champion). They have received civic honors (Garth was made a Member of the NZ Order of Merit for services to sport and the community). Finally, it’s noteworthy that Barfoot & Thompson weathered numerous economic cycles (Depression, WWII, multiple booms/busts) while maintaining a narrative of “integrity” and stability. This storied legacy – celebrating 100 years in business – lends the company a degree of public trust, even as critics argue that trust has not been fully earned in the political realm.
Recipient of Wage Subsidy Scheme: Yes – Barfoot & Thompson received government wage subsidies during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the 2020 Wage Subsidy round, the company claimed approximately NZ$4.07 million to support 603 employees. This was the single largest subsidy payout to any real estate company in New Zealand. The subsidy was used to cover staff wages during the Alert Level 4 lockdown when real estate activity was severely restricted. However, Barfoot & Thompson did not repay this subsidy after business rebounded; as of early 2021, it retained the full amount, which attracted negative media commentary (see “Controversies” above). In later lockdowns (2021 Delta outbreak), the company reportedly did not seek the subsidy again, likely mindful of the scrutiny. The acceptance of the wage subsidy, while legal and within the scheme’s rules, is a matter of public record via the Ministry of Social Development’s disclosures. No other government financial support (e.g. Small Business loans) for Barfoot & Thompson is publicly recorded, and it does not appear to have been a recipient of the subsequent Resurgence Payments. Thus, the COVID wage subsidy stands out as the primary instance of the firm receiving direct government aid, totalling just over $4 million in 2020. (By comparison, the company’s commissions in a strong month can exceed $40 million, illustrating its capacity – and fueling arguments that it could have repaid the subsidy given its quick recovery.)
Sources
[1] Privacy Statement – Barfoot & Thompson (Legal Disclosure of Company Details), Barfoot & Thompson (barfoot.co.nz), https://www.barfoot.co.nz/global/legal-documents/privacy-statement
[2] Terms of Use – Barfoot & Thompson (Company Number and Address), Barfoot & Thompson (barfoot.co.nz), https://www.barfoot.co.nz/global/legal-documents/terms-of-use
[3] BARFOOT & THOMPSON LIMITED – Company Summary (NZBN 9429040613178), CompanyHub NZ, https://www.companyhub.nz/companyDetails.cfm?nzbn=9429040613178
[4] N.Z. Realtors Association Limited – Company Information (Industry Classification), BusinessCheck.co.nz, https://www.businesscheck.co.nz/ltd/9429036863099/
[5] Barfoot & Thompson: The public prefer family businesses, Family Business Association (NZ), https://familybusinessassociation.org/article/barfoot—thompson–the-public-prefer-family-businesses
[6] Barfoot & Thompson – Wikipedia Entry (Company Overview), Wikipedia.org, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barfoot_%26_Thompson
[7] The Fail File: Kiri Barfoot, director of Barfoot & Thompson (interview), BusinessDesk, https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/business-advice/the-fail-file-kiri-barfoot-director-of-barfoot-thompson
[8] BARFOOT family (Rich List profile), National Business Review (NBR), (paywalled) – snippet via Google: “The company has remained family-owned – half by Val Barfoot Ltd and half by Maurice Thompson Ltd. The shareholders of Val Barfoot include his son Garth… On the Thompson side, Peter Thompson holds 50% while Margot Thompson has the other half.”
[9] Shock at death of young Auckland politician and real estate agent Sarah Higgins, NZ Herald, 30 Aug 2016, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/shock-at-death-of-young-auckland-politician-and-real-estate-agent-sarah-higgins/A7CS5A6P4TB7BK5CJKCQJHSE3A/
[10] Staff member fired over Labour leak (Barfoot & Thompson fires employee over leaked sales data), RNZ News, 15 Jul 2015, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/278831/staff-member-fired-over-labour-leak
[11] Twyford ‘regrets’ Chinese NZers felt unfairly targeted by 2015 survey (mentions Barfoot data leak), RNZ News, 17 Jun 2021, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/444988/twyford-regrets-chinese-nzers-felt-unfairly-targeted-by-2015-survey
[12] Barfoot & Thompson director: If it is our data, it’s been given illegally (comments on data leak), NZ Herald, 13 Jul 2015, (paywalled) – snippet: “Barfoot & Thompson managing director Peter Thompson said the company was seeking advice following the leaking of sales data… ‘If it is our data, it’s been given out illegally.’”
[13] Barfoot & Thompson agent fined $6000 and boss $2000 after fight over views, NZ Herald, 23 Sep 2018, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/barfoot-thompson-agent-fined-6000-and-boss-2000-after-fight-over-views/PM4CEWIQIIVNZKLPOMX3ICB2OU/
[14] Real estate agents under fire for not repaying wage subsidies (Checkpoint investigation), Otago Daily Times (reprint from RNZ), 26 Feb 2021, https://www.odt.co.nz/business/real-estate-agents-under-fire-not-repaying-wage-subsidies
[15] National given warning over failure to declare $35,000 donation within timeframe, 1News (TVNZ), 28 Apr 2021, https://www.1news.co.nz/2021/04/27/national-given-warning-over-failure-to-declare-35000-donation-within-timeframe/
[16] Rich-listers give $200,000 to National Party, NZ Herald, 8 Nov 2016, (paywalled) – snippet: “Real estate mogul Garth Barfoot was one of the National Party’s biggest donors over the last year… gave three donations worth $41,495.” (via NZ Herald/Isaac Davison)
[17] Million-dollar agents urge rethink of foreign buyer ban – NZ ‘leaving money on the table’, OneRoof (NZ Herald), 17 Jun 2024, https://www.oneroof.co.nz/news/million-dollar-agents-urge-rethink-of-foreign-buyer-ban-nz-leaving-money-on-the-table-45700
[18] The Lighthouse lights up (public art donated by Barfoot & Thompson), OurAuckland (Auckland Council), 1 Mar 2018, https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2017/02/the-lighthouse-michael-parekowhai/
[19] Barfoot & Thompson head predicts apartments for Ellerslie, Ellerslie Residents Association, 15 Jan 2013 (updated 24 Jun 2016), https://ellerslieresidents.co.nz/barfoot-thompson-head-predicts-apartments-for-ellerslie/
[20] Barfoot & Thompson continues its expansion within the upper North Island (Press Release), Scoop Business, 31 Jan 2024, https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU2401/S00241/barfoot-thompson-continues-its-expansion-within-the-upper-north-island.htm
[21] Supporting our community (overview of sponsorships), Barfoot & Thompson, https://www.barfoot.co.nz/about-us/supporting-our-community
[22] Sports partnerships (Marathon, Triathlon, Rugby sponsorships), Barfoot & Thompson – Community Support, https://www.barfoot.co.nz/about-us/supporting-our-community (Sports section)
[23] A team effort: Chris Dobbie (CEO of Barfoot & Thompson) – interview, The CEO Magazine, 18 Oct 2018, https://www.theceomagazine.com/executive-interviews/property-real-estate/chris-dobbie/
[24] Hon Phil Twyford – Ministerial Diary Summary, October 2018 (entry for meeting with Barfoot & Thompson on 10/10/2018), Beehive.govt.nz (Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet), released Jan 2019, PDF – see page 2: “10/10/18 2:00–3:00pm – Meeting with Barfoot and Thompson, Auckland (Peter Thompson) – Housing.” (Source: beehive.govt.nz)
[25] Rt Hon Winston Peters – Ministerial Diary Summary, March 2024 (entry for Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup Day event), Beehive.govt.nz, released Apr 2024, PDF – notes attendance: “10/03/2024 – Attend Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup Day, Ellerslie Racecourse (Invited Guest) – Racing.”
[26] Peter Thompson made life member of Auckland Rugby, Auckland Rugby News, Dec 2017, (source not directly cited in text) – reported in NBR profile: “he’s also a life member of Auckland Rugby”.
[27] NZ Herald – Political Roundup: The Māori Party needs to come clean (mentions Garth Barfoot donation), NZ Herald (via Democracy Project/Bryce Edwards), 2 Feb 2023, (paywalled) – notes: “National Party late to disclose donations from real estate bigwig Garth Barfoot, a regular donor.”
[28] Twyford housing package impact on investors (industry reaction), Interest.co.nz, 24 Mar 2021, (analysis) – notes that industry figures like Barfoot & Thompson reported investor sales rising as a result of the policy.
[29] Capital gains tax abandoned – ‘I gave it my best shot’ Ardern says, Stuff.co.nz, 17 Apr 2019, (news report) – explains government dropping CGT due to lack of consensus (pressure from business and rural sector).
Spot anything in this entry that is wrong? Please either leave a comment at the end or email, in confidence: bryce@democracyproject.nz