Bayleys Drives Manawatū Cross-Sector Growth

As generational change, capital recycling, and regional growth corridors reshape New Zealand’s commercial property landscape, Bayleys continues to strengthen its capabilities in key provincial markets, with the return of experienced commercial, industrial, and business sales specialist Bede Blatchford to Bayleys Manawatū.

Blatchford rejoins the business following more than a decade in commercial and industrial real estate, including seven years on the Gold Coast, where he built a strong track record in office sales, leasing, development transactions, and advisory within one of Australia’s most active office markets.

Now based in Palmerston North and servicing the wider Manawatū region, Blatchford’s appointment reflects Bayleys’ broader strategy of deepening specialist capability across growth sectors and regional centres, particularly as business ownership transactions, land development activity, and capital repositioning accelerate.

Bayleys Manawatū-Whanganui franchise director, John Bartley, says the appointment comes at a significant point in the market cycle.

“We’re seeing increased activity across commercial property, industrial assets, business sales and development-related opportunities throughout the region,” he says.

“Manawatū continues to benefit from population growth, infrastructure investment and its strategic central location. As the market evolves, clients increasingly want advisors who can work across leasing, sales, business ownership transactions and development strategy - Bede brings that breadth of capability.”

Blatchford began his real estate career with Bayleys Manawatū before relocating to Australia, where he transacted more than 100,000sqm of commercial space and worked across a broad range of office and development transactions.

Among his standout achievements was the sale of a $32.35 million A-grade office building – one of the largest commercial transactions the Gold Coast had recorded in two years. His performance also saw him recognised as the Centuria Leasing Agent of the Year (Queensland) 2021 and named Top Revenue Writer (Gold Coast) in 2024.

Bartley says that experience provides immediate value in a regional market that is increasingly sophisticated.

“Regional commercial markets aren’t operating in isolation. Investors, owner-occupiers and developers are benchmarking opportunities nationally and internationally and expect more strategic advice as a result. Bede brings that broader perspective, alongside understanding the local business community and the relationships that drive successful outcomes.”

The appointment also aligns with Bayleys’ wider strategy of expanding specialist advisory capability beyond major metropolitan centres.

Bayleys regional general manager, Rachel Thompson, says strengthening depth across commercial, industrial, land development and business sales remains a key focus for the network.

“Regional New Zealand is in a phase of transition, with many business and property owners now considering succession, divestment or retirement. Increasingly, those decisions involve business sales, lease strategy, property ownership and long-term capital planning.

“That requires advisors who can understand the full commercial landscape,” she says.

Thompson says Bayleys’ expanded Business Sales division, alongside its wider commercial and industrial, residential, and property services platforms, allows the firm to deliver more integrated advisory support.

“A key strength of Bayleys is the ability to connect business ownership, property and capital through one network - particularly important in regional markets where wealth is spread across multiple asset classes.”

Blatchford says returning to Bayleys and the Manawatū market was driven by both personal and professional factors, including the scale of opportunity emerging across the region.

“There’s strong underlying momentum across Palmerston North and the wider Manawatū, driven by infrastructure investment, industrial growth, land development and business succession, while affordability and connectivity continue attracting businesses and people into the region,” he says.

Alongside his transactional experience, Blatchford continued his professional development through Massey University and digital coursework with Harvard Business School and is known for his analytical approach and collaborative style, working with private investors, developers, owner-occupiers, and institutional clients.

Bartley says the appointment forms part of a deliberate blend of established experience and emerging capability within the Bayleys Manawatū business.

“We’re building a team positioned for the next phase of the market,” he says. “That means combining trusted local relationships with new expertise, broader market exposure and specialist capability in areas where activity is growing. Bede’s return is a strong reflection of that direction.”