From the lake to the city – Bay of Plenty's Cheryl Butler

When one discusses New Zealand's fastest growing real estate brand having so many advantages for its salespeople, you have note that one is them is that building their business is limited only by their imagination.
If you live in an area where you are well identified for delivering great service, then you can only expand on it with Arizto's offering of complimentary marketing, industry-leading commission rates and cutting-edge technology.
And if you then want to take that offering to other near or far regions, there will be no internal brand restrictions placed upon you – it's just the sweat off your own brow.
Even with 16 years in the profession – one of Arizto Bay of Plenty's top performing salespeople in Cheryl Butler appreciates that opportunity to constantly evolve.
Having been shoulder-tapped by now-chief executive Daniel Budd to end a 12-month sabbatical from the industry back in 2021, Butler took up ‘The Green' from her tranquil home in Lake Rotomā - the fourth largest lake of eleven in the ‘Hot Lakes' district and known for its quality of water with deep visibility.
Auckland-born, Butler had moved into Bay of Plenty in 2000, initially employed in the recruitment industry before taking up real estate eight years later - working for two other local brands and establishing a strong reputation in the Papamoa and Mount Maunganui markets.
A rookie of the year award was followed by several other industry prizes, but having worked a hectic schedule for over a decade, she had been ready to step away and found the lake and its community the perfect retreat.
"I needed to recharge and everything, so that's why I went out there – for solitude – and no regrets, for my business, I've been really, really fortunate.
"I just think it's been really good to me. I can't believe how friendly people are – it's refreshing.
"It's all about giving examples to people, particularly when they make a move to the lake.
"They're moving for a reason – they want to get away from the hassle and everything like that.
"I always talk about my example and why I moved there. I'm still grounded there."
And it was the perfect base for a reinvigorated Butler to jump-start her real estate career again and the results have shown.
Now renting out her lake property while she moved into the Rotorua urban area six months ago – Butler was recognised in the 2024 national awards for having achieved 175% growth in successful sales in the previous 12 months, and was in Arizto's Top 3 for what was already a very-successful Bay of Plenty team.