Bayleys backs Dunedin with senior appointment

New Zealand’s largest full service real estate agency, Bayleys, has appointed international property executive Gareth Powell as head of its Dunedin commercial and industrial team, strengthening its advisory capability as investors and asset owners reassess opportunities across Otago.

Returning home after a decade overseas, Powell brings more than 20 years’ property experience across New Zealand and Asia Pacific, including leadership of Cushman & Wakefield’s Thailand business.

As country head, he led the firm from market entry to an established full-service platform, helping build one of Thailand’s leading industrial and logistics advisory businesses.

Bayleys national director of commercial Ryan Johnson says Powell’s appointment advances the firm’s strategy of strengthening specialist expertise in regional markets and connecting it with national resources.

“Clients expect advice that links the property decision to their wider business and investment objectives. That might involve securing premises for expansion, improving an asset’s income profile or deciding where to deploy capital.

“We’re investing in people with the experience to critically assess those choices, direct market-leading teams and draw on the wider Bayleys network to connect the dots. Gareth’s background in building a business advising sophisticated clients makes him an extremely exciting addition to our leadership team.”

That capability will be particularly relevant in Dunedin, where constrained industrial supply and changing office requirements call for a clear understanding of occupier needs and investment potential.

Bayleys Dunedin’s managing director Chris Maclean says Powell’s experience will help clients respond to those conditions and identify opportunities across the region.

“Dunedin’s commercial property sector has held its ground through a challenging economic period. Notably, limited availability of industrial properties continues to support demand for modern premises while the scarcity of newer stock also gives well-positioned older buildings an audience among investors and owner occupiers.”

The city’s longer-term economic growth provides context for those decisions. Enterprise Dunedin’s July 2026 economic insights report shows Dunedin’s economy grew 20 percent between 2016 and 2025, against population growth of three percent.

Maclean says that trajectory makes it important to look beyond immediate market conditions.

“Growth doesn’t translate evenly across every property. Gareth’s strategic insight will help clients to identify where investment in a building, a stronger leasing strategy or a different use can improve its commercial performance.”

Powell has worked with global occupiers, institutions, developers and private business owners across industrial, logistics, office, retail and mixed-use property.

He says his immediate priority is to turn that experience into practical value for Otago investors, occupiers and landowners.

“My focus is firmly on helping clients make well-informed property decisions that advance their business and investment ambitions.

“Bayleys’ strong position in the Otago market, established relationships and national reach provide an excellent foundation, and I look forward to combining those strengths with my Asia Pacific experience to help clients recognise opportunities and achieve their objectives,” he says.