NZPIF: voice of landlords

"We want the NZPIF to be the voice of the landlord. Not the Real Estate Institute," says Evans. Evans, who replaced Craig Paddon this month (May 2006) plans to oversee a PR push to ensure that the NZPIF is the first organisation the media, politicians, tenancy and government organisations turn to when they want the views of landlords.

The former Canterbury Property Investors Association president also plans:

- To draw local property investor associations closer together
- Personally visit each and every association to see what they want from a national body
- Establish good relationships with MPs, tenant protection associations, Tenancy Services, the Real Estate Institute, Housing New Zealand and the Department for Courts.

Evans says he will also oversee a strategic direction review for the NZPIF as well as working on the development of a "reference manual" for landlords. The manual is intended to outline best practice to landlords, rather than be a code of ethics.

The Evans family have been investing in residential property for 30 years. After retiring from the airline industry, Evans set up his own property management firm - based in Christchurch.

"I have been asked several times to stand for president of the NZPIF. But my business has been two busy," says Evans. "Now it is at the stage where we have plenty of staff and I have the time to take on the job of president."