Celeste Patutama

Celeste is a natural leader and a rising star among New Zealand’s young property professionals. We are very proud that she is a finalist for the PINZ Future Leader Award for 2023.

Celeste specialises in property development, Māori land issues, property valuation, building construction and property management. She is skilled in property acquisitions, relationship management, project management and stakeholder engagement. Celeste began her working career in 2018 and, since then, has worked for WSP (Property Consultant), the Ministry of Education (Capital Works Intern) and the University of Auckland (Tutor/Teaching Assistant). She also has experience in consulting with Māori landowners affected by the Public Works Act (1981).

Celeste holds a Bachelor of Property from the University of Auckland (2021). She is a Member of the Property Institute of New Zealand and a recipient of multiple awards and honours, including the Beta Gamma Sigma Lifetime Member – International Business Honour Society, Whare Ākina Scholarship, First in Course award in Property 342 – Property Development, TupuToa Internship Programme, JJ Management Gold Pin for excellent customer service, and the Lois Dalley Trust Scholarship.

Celeste is of Ngāti Awa, Te Arawa, Cook Island, Niuean and Italian descent. She is an accomplished sportsperson and was a Netball Youth World Cup participant for the Cook Islands and a member of the Cook Islands U21 National Netball Team. She is also an IPAC Council – Future Leader observer and has held [volunteer] positions on several cultural and sporting committees and advisory groups.