Property Student of the Year Award

To recognise outstanding students, we have established the University of Auckland Department of Property Student of the Year Award.

The Property Student of the Year Award assesses students on the following criteria:

• Academic performance
• Communication, including written, informal and prepared speech
• Service to the community
• Extra-curricular activities
• Motivation to succeed and make a difference in the property industry

All full-time students currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Property, Bachelor of Property Conjoint or a Bachelor of Property (Hons) degree at the University of Auckland are eligible.

Students must have completed at least one academic year of study before they are eligible to enter.

Entries close on 25 September 2023.

Candidates applying for the Property Student of the Year must submit:

• An entry form
• A covering letter setting out the reasons as to why they should be considered for this award
• A CV which should include details of any involvement in community service and extracurricular activity over the last two years
• An essay of no more than 500 words on why an understanding of property issues is vital to the prosperity of New Zealand (you may choose to concentrate on the property sector generally or focus on the residential, commercial or industrial sector)

• The judging process is based on the following criteria:
  • Academic performance
  • Communication, including written, informal and prepared speech
  • Service to the community
  • Extra-curricular activities
  • Motivation to succeed and make a difference in the property industry
• All candidates must be available to attend an interview and presentations.
• All candidates must be available to attend the Department of Property Annual Dinner on 5 July.
• Selection of a short list of candidates will be based on written applications.
• A panel of judges including a representative from the Department of Property.
• The judging will happen on 4 October 2023 and will take the following format:
  • Stage 1 - Each finalist will be interviewed by the interview panel in order to assess the student on the criteria as set out above.
  • Stage 2 - Each candidate will make a five-minute speech on the topic of why an understanding of property issues is vital to the prosperity of New Zealand (you may choose to concentrate on the property sector generally or focus on the residential, commercial or industrial sector). This will take place with invited guests including friends and family.

• All entrants must be full-time students enrolled in a Bachelor of Property, Bachelor of Property Conjoint or a Bachelor of Property (Hons) degree at the University of Auckland.
• All entrants must have completed at least one academic year of study.
•  The students successful will be contacted promptly after entries close, failure to reply to correspondence could result in being omitted from the competition.
• No late entries will be considered.
• The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
• Entrants cannot be a former winner of the competition.

The winner will receive:

• An engraved trophy
• Photo and brief bio on the Business School’s Best in Business display
• A certificate
• Three one-on-one meetings with prominent New Zealand property industry leaders

The runner-up will receive:

• An engraved trophy and certificate

Do I have to be strong in every category?
Being strong in every category may be an advantage, however a candidate that is strong in any of the four categories could still be successful in the selection process.

Do I have to have a 9.0 GPA?
Students with a 9.0 GPA are welcome to enter but there is no GPA minimum. The judging process will consider the range of attributes possessed by each candidate.

What is expected in the "service to the community" section?
This section focuses on your contribution back to the community you live in. It may be a contribution to a student club or an organisation outside of the University. It will almost certainly be a volunteer activity.

What is expected in extracurricular activities?
This section is any activity that is not part of your study at University or your service to the community. It has a wide scope, including but not limited to: sport, employment, music, arts, your own business, or any other similar activity.