Born in Wellington and educated at St Patrick’s College and Victoria University in Wellington Steve entered real estate in August 1993, having come from a background in property management. During the last 23 years, Steve’s Real Estate Career has included:
• Sales Manager for Challenge Realty’s Oriental Bay Office in 1996, during which time he took the office into the top ten in the Challenge Realty Group.
• Owner/Operator of three Challenge Realty Wellington offices in October 1997. During his 7 years at the helm, Steve grew the company from a sales team of twelve to a team of sixty eight sales people with four thousand house sales worth over 1.5 billion dollars!
• Restructuring Ray White Australia’s International Business model to increase their competitiveness with RE/MAX at a time when over 300 sales people, in Queensland alone, had left Ray White to join RE/MAX.
• Director of Operations for RE/MAX New Zealand in 2005, which involved a vast amount of travelling, attending a wide range of leading international industry training seminars in Denver, Chicago and Brisbane.
After more than four hundred flights during his three years in his corporate career, Steve decided to resign and return to what he loves doing most - selling real estate in Wellington. In 2007, Steve took up the position of Salesperson and Branch Sales Manager at Leaders Kilbirnie which he has held for nine years.

Successfully buying and selling real estate is about meeting people's needs, dreams and aspirations – and Lowe & co are a brand that exemplifies trust, honesty and integrity – attributes that Steve is passionate about!
The market is changing, the marketplace is strengthening, and Steve has been extremely impressed with Harcourts foresight and focus on Auction sales, where multiple buyers can help to achieve a higher sale price for a property. It is also one of the most transparent and preferred form of marketing for buyers.
His extensive experience in real estate spanning local, national and international markets is a huge benefit to his clients. This and his innovative and unique marketing techniques is ‘Setting a New BENCHMARQUE in Wellington Real Estate’.

Born with a keen sense of business acumen, Rakesh Champaneri was destined for a career that would allow him to combine his passion for property with his knack for negotiation. After completing his education in Wellington, he embarked on his journey in the real estate sector, initially working as a diligent and aspiring agent. Rakesh's commitment to learning and his ability to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues quickly caught the attention of industry veterans. His career began to take flight, and it wasn't long before he found his true calling in selling new build developments. With 13 years of experience under his belt, Rakesh has established himself as a leading figure in the realm of selling new build developments.

Recognising the potential for growth and innovation in the world of new build developments, Rakesh Champaneri redirected his career toward this niche. His in-depth understanding of the Wellington property market, coupled with an innate ability to identify lucrative opportunities, set him on the path to specialization.

Major Milestones:
Rakesh Champaneri has spearheaded numerous groundbreaking projects in the city, each contributing to the evolution of Wellington's real estate landscape:
1. Erskine and The Mews: Rakesh played a pivotal role in the marketing and strategy to sell 98 townhouses and apartments, setting the standard for contemporary urban living.
2. Monark/Hauwai: This project featured 93 apartments, and Rakesh's expertise ensured its success. Coupled with the first Kiwibuild sell down in Wellington.
3. Pipitea Point: 32 modern and affordable apartments.
4. High Street Quarter (HSQ): 29 townhouses including dual keys and live/works.
5. Laings Road: 32 apartments repurposing this building from commercial to residential.
6. Trojan House: 22 apartments converting this commercial building to residential.
7. Edisons: 16-character apartments on Cuba Street.
8. The Clearing: 124 sections in Amberley, North Canterbury.
9. Aro Living: 61 townhouses + 16 Apartments.
10. Awatea Escape: 38 Houses.

Rakesh Champaneri’s journey in real estate epitomises his unwavering dedication to transforming Wellington's urban landscape through Ray White Leaders Real Estate.