Ben Macky, luxury real estate leader at NZ Sotheby’s International Realty North, sharing his journey into leading an international luxury real estate brand.

Meet Ben Macky.

From small-town, South Island beginnings to leading an international luxury real estate brand.

Ben Macky in the early days of building Wallace, working from a garage before growing the business into a leading boutique real estate brand

“Leadership, growth, and high-level performance have shaped every step of my journey.”

But volume isn’t everything.

At a Harcourts Top 100 conference, I realised that while I was selling more than most, others were achieving more with less by focusing on the right markets, the right brand, and the right positioning.

That moment sparked a bold decision — I packed up my family, moved to Auckland, and built something new.

That’s where Wallace & Stratton was born. Most people thought I was mad. But in just seven years, this “unknown” boutique brand achieved over $2B in sales, built a standout reputation, and attracted some of the best agents in the region. It proved that with strong leadership, the right culture, and a clear vision, you can build something extraordinary.

Today, I’ve stepped into my biggest opportunity yet — leading New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty – North Auckland.

My story began in a small South Island town, long before I ever stepped into a boardroom or led a high-performing team. At 14, I watched my step-mum begin her journey as a real estate agent and saw first-hand how this industry could transform a family’s life. It planted a seed that later became a lifelong commitment to leadership, growth, and high-level performance.

At 18, I moved to Sydney and entered the world of corporate sales, working alongside some of the smartest entrepreneurs in the world. Those early years shaped my mindset—big-picture thinking, commercial discipline, and the belief that success is built on relationships, consistency, and execution.

When I returned to Blenheim, I joined First National and quickly earned Rookie of the Year, ranking in the Top 20 nationally. I later moved to Harcourts, where I became the #1 agent in the South Island, consistently selling 100+ homes a year—all before the age of 35.

NZSIR is one of the world’s most respected real estate brands, with true global reach and an unmatched reputation across the premium and ultra-high-end market. For our vendors, this means powerful international exposure. For our agents, it means alignment with a brand that reflects excellence, prestige, and performance.

Everything we do is built on purpose, performance, and the pursuit of excellence.

Whether you’re a high-performing agent exploring new opportunities, a vendor wanting to maximise the value of your ultra-high-end property, or an investor — I’d love to connect.

Because this is only the beginning.

Ben Macky celebrating team success at New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty North, demonstrating how strong culture, leadership, and vision create extraordinary results.

“With the right culture, leadership, and vision, you can build something extraordinary.”

Follow my journey.