Entering the Real Estate industry in 1981, Ken Bogue – currently owner of Ray White Warkworth, Snells Beach and Maungaturoto – opened his first business in 1985, joining Ray White in November of 1998. Ken had based his decision to join the group on the competitive advantage he could then offer his customers in the marketplace, in terms of brand recognition and technology. He was pleased to find that on becoming part of Ray White, he gained and continues to receive support from other Ray White businesses throughout New Zealand.
Ken’s real estate involvement has always been in Auckland’s North Shore and Northland region. This area appeals to a wide range of buyers due to the lifestyle and proximity to Auckland City. “People can live up North and yet feel part of the city and work in the city.” Ken shares. “Furthermore there are many day trip activities within the region – beaches, vineyards, the Leigh marine reserve and Kawau Island.”
Ray White is known to be a family owned and lead group with family values and Ken’s own daughter Nicole Banks is the Property Management Team Leader at his Warkworth branch. Property Management was initially seen by Ken as an add on, but he has gradually seen its importance especially as the investment attraction in the area has increased in recent years, with good capital gain and a good standard of tenants. They now manage a mixture of properties, from residential homes, holiday homes and lifestyle blocks throughout Puhoi to Kaiwaka, Tapora, Ahuroa, Omaha, Leigh, Sandspit and Snells Beach.
A commitment to support the community and worthy local causes is of high priority to Ken and his teams, regularly contributing through sponsorship, fundraising and open home tours, to local organisations such as Westpac Helicopter – which Ken has sponsored since 1996, Northland Hospice, Women’s Refuge and Ronald McDonald House Auckland.
When the opportunity to give back to the community through the Ray White Ray of Giving arose, Ken and Nicole worked collectively to bring a Christmas drive together. Ken admits that Nicole and the Property Management team mostly took it on board, initially arranging Christmas trees for each of his offices, then letterbox deliveries of cards around the area, these were also handed out during the Warkworth and Wellsford Santa Parades.
On successfully gathering a record number of donations for the drive, gifts were distributed through the Warkworth and Manungaturoto Rotary groups. Recipient community groups included Women’s Refuge, Northland Hospice and Homebuilders – a place where people in need can obtain assistance with food items and learn practical life skills, such as cooking, budgeting.
Ken commented that “The Christmas drive has taken a lot of time and effort at an already busy time of year, but community involvement and giving back to the areas that we love and promote is of high importance to us. And it was so nice to come into the office in the morning, see more presents under the tree and know that they were going to families in need.”
Graeme Fraser, Auckland Business Performance Manager for Ray White New Zealand expressed his support for Ken Bogue. “Ken is one of the longest serving members in the Group. He contributes at many levels, runs an enduring and successful multi – office business and understands that the community plays an integral part in that success.His latest involvement and support of the Ray White Little Ray of Giving has been nothing short of outstanding. Well done Ken, Nicole and the Team!!”