1899
A journey begins
In 1899 Mick McDonald emigrates from Ireland to Taranaki. Prior to heading off on his journey, stories suggest he had not heard of New Zealand.
A true pioneer, Mick first finds work as a farm hand in Waverley. Through the early 1900s he holds several jobs, including operating a livery stable in Eltham.
Mick McDonald & Jack Larmer
A True Pioneer
Mick is married in 1910 and purchased a farm on the outskirts of Stratford. He began negotiating livestock and butterfat sales.
1910
1912
McDonald Real Estate is born
Mick begins to negotiate land sales.
Mick McDonald (centre) in 1917
His journals provide a fascinating insight into the life and spirit of the pioneers of Taranaki. They include records of his dealings in many areas, with some land sales from as low as £10.00 per acre.
Mick becomes a popular local figure by standing outside one of Stratford’s Hotels and talking to other settlers. He reportedly carries a notebook and records the names of those looking to sell land in the front, and those wishing to purchase land in the back.
1918
Our first office opens in Stratford
Mick opens the first McDonald Real Estate office on Broadway, in Stratford, where the company is still based today.
Business grows and the entrepreneur begins to offer finance to Taranaki families. But the 1930’s Depression hits everyone hard and many are unable to repay their debts, nearly bankrupting the fledgling company.
Broadway Stratford circa 1930
Tom McDonald, Mick’s son, aged 23, joins his father in the real estate business.
Together they operate a successful father-son partnership until the late 1950’s, when Mick retires.
1946
Tom McDonald joins
1961
Mick McDonald passes away, aged 82
STRATFORD, NZ
1976
Peter McDonald joins
Peter McDonald, Tom’s son, aged 23, becomes the 3rd generation to join the family business.
1979
Mike McDonald joins
Another of Tom’s sons, Mike McDonald joins McDonald Real Estate, which quickly becomes the highest performing rural sales team in Taranaki.
As the sales team expands, McDonald Real Estate becomes a dominant player in the residential house market throughout Central Taranaki.
1981
Eltham office opens
McDonald Real Estate opens it’s Eltham office expanding further south of Stratford.
1985
Inglewood office opens
Our Inglewood office is hard to miss being a large beautiful heritage building located on the corner as you turn into the main street.
The powerful eieio brand is introduced into the company’s marketing, radio & personalised number plates.
Stratford office expands with the opening of the “Farm Shop”, sealing the company’s position as the top rural sales team in the region, a position that is still held in today’s competitive environment.
1989
1998
eieio website launches
McDonald Real Estate launches their website eieio.co.nz, further enhancing the eieio brand.
eieio.co.nz
John McDonald joins
Another brother John McDonald takes the torch from the retiring Mike McDonald. After 30 years dairy farming, keen surfer John establishes himself in rural sales around the coast.
1999
2000
Waitara Office Opens
The fourth McDonald Real Estate office opens on the main street of Waitara.
Hāwera Office Opens
The following year, our Hāwera office opens and is the southern most office location.
McDonald Real Estate become members of the NZ Realtors Network. A collection of New Zealand’s most influential Real Estate agencies working together as a powerful network.
2001
Tom McDonald passes away
STRATFORD, NZ
Tom McDonald, who had remained active in the business until his last days, passes away.
2002
Ōakura office opens
McDonald Real Estate opens it’s sixth office in the coastal village of Ōakura.
Oakura beach from the campsite
Peter’s son, Daniel McDonald, at 22 years of age, becomes the 4th generation to join the family firm.
2005
Daniel McDonald joins
2008
New Plymouth office opens
McDonald Real Estate opens the New Plymouth office, marking complete coverage of the Taranaki region. McDonald Real Estate now offers the full suite of real estate services; Residential, Lifestyle, Rural, Commercial & Industrial, and Property Management.
2009
REINZ President
Peter McDonald becomes President of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ), helping to guide the industry through legislative change. Peter was made a life member of REINZ in 2011.
2012
Celebrating 100 years
McDonald Real Estate celebrates 100 years of services to the people of Taranaki.
2014
NZ Order of Merit
Peter McDonald is made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to real estate and the community.
The last of the eight offices is opened, consolidating McDonald Real Estate’s dominant presence around the mountain.
McDonald Real Estate becomes the largest Property Management provider in Taranaki
2016
Ōpunake Office Opens
2021
Luke McDonald joins
John’s son Luke joins his father in the real estate business after returning to Taranaki from abroad.
Daniel is elected to the board of the NZ Realtor’s Network and becomes REINZ ambassador for Taranaki.
2024
John McDonald retires
John retires after 25 years. Over this time he became fondly known as ‘Uncle John’ throughout the company.
John at the Kumara Patch
