Careers
Career & mentorship with Pat Lapalapa
A real estate career in South Auckland, learning from an active auction specialist at Ray White Manukau.
Who you would learn from
Pat Lapalapa is a Top 1% Ray White agent and South Auckland auction specialist. He has personally sold 800+ homes ($750M+ settled) and is Performance Director for the team, so a new salesperson learns from someone who still sells every week.
- NZ #10 Top Sales Agent and NZ #3 for Auction Performance, 2025
- 12+ years selling across Māngere, Papatoetoe, Ōtāhuhu, Manurewa and Flat Bush
- Auction-led campaigns, so you see how competitive sales are run start to finish
How the team is set up
Pat Lapalapa Group is a Ray White Manukau team led by Pat, with senior real estate agents working their own areas and an operations manager who runs compliance and contracts. Each campaign has people behind it, so agents are not left to work alone.
- Senior agents Ena Aholelei, Nikita Aery and Ana Tresidder each cover their own suburbs
- Camille Labit, Team Operations Manager, handles compliance, contracts and the moving parts of each campaign
- The team trades under Ray White AT Realty Limited, a licensed real estate agency under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008
Getting licensed first
In New Zealand you need a licence from the Real Estate Authority before you can carry out real estate agency work as a salesperson. The Authority sets the criteria, so check its page for the current requirements before you apply.
- The Real Estate Authority (REA) grants licences under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008
- Its page lists the age, qualification and fit-and-proper criteria
- Pat can talk you through what the path looks like in practice
Common questions
How do I become a real estate agent in New Zealand?
You apply to the Real Estate Authority for a salesperson licence. The Authority states the criteria, including a minimum age of 18, the New Zealand Certificate in Real Estate (Salesperson) Level 4 from an approved provider, and being a fit and proper person. Check its page for the current rules.
- Licences are granted by the Real Estate Authority under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008
- Requirements can change, so treat the REA page as the source, not this site
- This site does not give legal advice about your application
What does mentorship with Pat Lapalapa look like?
Pat mentors salespeople inside Pat Lapalapa Group, a Ray White Manukau team. You work alongside an agent who leads auction campaigns across South Auckland, with senior agents and an operations manager supporting each sale. The details of a programme are agreed in conversation with Pat.
- Auction-led selling is the team's core approach
- Senior agents and an operations manager sit around every campaign
- Structure, support and pay are discussed with Pat directly, not promised on this page
Who is a real estate career with Pat suited to?
It suits people who want to sell homes in South Auckland and learn from an active auction specialist. That includes people new to real estate and licensed salespeople thinking about a move. Pat decides fit in a conversation, so if you are unsure, get in touch.
- You want to work with South Auckland homeowners and buyers
- You are prepared to learn how auctions are run and won
- You are new to the industry or already licensed and looking for a team
What happens in the first conversation?
The first conversation is a chat with Pat about where you are now, what you want from a real estate career and whether the team is the right place for it. It is not a formal interview, and there is no obligation on either side.
- You share your background and what you are aiming for
- Pat explains how the team works and what he looks for
- You ask whatever you like about the role
Do I need real estate experience to join?
This site does not set an experience requirement, so the honest answer is to talk to Pat. A licence from the Real Estate Authority is needed to work as a salesperson, but whether previous sales experience matters for a place on the team is a question for him.
- Licensing is set by the Real Estate Authority, not by the team
- Team requirements are Pat's call, so ask him directly
- Send a short note through the form or email Pat
How do I get in touch with Pat about joining?
Use the enquiry form on this page, or call or email Pat on the details listed here. Enquiries from this form go to Pat only, and are kept separate from home seller and buyer enquiries. Tell him a little about yourself and the best way to reach you.
- Form on this page: goes to Pat only
- Phone and email are listed on this page and in the footer
- You can also visit the Ray White Manukau office
Start a conversation
This form goes to Pat only. Prefer email? pat.lapalapa@raywhite.com.
Visit or call us
Ray White Manukau
603 Great South Road, Manukau City Centre, Auckland 2104