Waikato born and bred Gregg and Marsha Tickelpenny are the new owners of Ray White, Raglan. The Chronicle caught up with Gregg to learn about their experience and special connection to Raglan.
Our working careers started in Te Awamutu back in the 1990s. I qualified as an accountant and Marsha worked at Freedom Air. After nine years accounting I found my main interest was in the real estate profession.
We purchased the Ray White Te Awamutu office in 1999 and slowly expanded to include offices in Otorohanga, Te Kuiti, Taumarunui and Tokoroa – all good regional towns which were an attraction for us.
A few months back the opportunity came along to purchase Ray White Raglan – a very experienced, fun team, charming office and located in a prime position in Bow Street, supporting a diversified and vibrant community.
The complete package.
The timing was now right with our family being a bit older, to make the acquisition.
Local agents Dave and Julie Hanna have been long time friends through the Ray White connection. Many good discussions were had with Dave over the years at conferences and courses, and now with Blair on the best fishing spots!
Tell us about your connection to Raglan.
The grandparents bought a bach back in 1970 which is still in the family today. Raglan has been our annual holiday spot ever since. Memories include the wooden boats moored in the estuary all year round. The local fisherman would bring in the daily catch at the jetty. Past businesses including Petchells Supermarket, Duck Inn Dairy, Seagulls, Marlin Cafe and Vinnies.
We grew up fishing in the harbour and eventually moved to ocean fishing. Now we are into paddle boarding, trekking on Mt Karioi and boogie boarding at Ngarunui Beach. (Raglan Silver Surfers Club 2020)
Marsha has been a regular to Raglan since we coupled up. Before that she grew up travelling to Kawhia for summer holidays with her grandparents…a lifetime covered in black sand. Her family has been in the Kawhia and Raglan area since 1895, with plenty of that time spent in the Raglan Pub no doubt!
What aspirations do you have for RW in Raglan?
Now in our 25th year of real estate we hope to continue growing the business by bringing our experience and maximising the latest Ray White technology.
Most importantly, continue to make the real estate experience an enjoyable and stress free one for our clients. Repeat business means satisfied clients.
Footnote: Now I walk to the office from the bach. Couldn’t be a better setup!
