Paul, Jay, Diane, Juli, Dawn, Owen
Mike, Phil A, Garth, Phil W

 

Phil Waylen (President)

Phil has had an interest in property for the last 16 years. He became a landlord in 2002 when he went on his OE and kept his first house in Hamilton. Since returning from London in 2006 he has begun to build a portfolio believing property provides a good vehicle for financial independence. Phil owns his own business offering presentation expertise for MS Office documents, he also co-founded the 64Bit co-working space on Devonport Road. Phil joined the TPIA in 2012 and was the Landlord of the Year in 2014. He was nominated to the committee in 2015 and is excited to help the TPIA to continue to provide knowledge and support to new and existing members who share an interest in property.

 

Dawn Witheford (Vice President)

Dawn is a Director in KPMG's Private Enterprise division. She has over 20 years experience as a qualified Chartered Accountant, and thirty years of professional services experience in accounting compliance and advisory services in both big four and smaller firms.

She has worked with a wide range of clients including property investors and developers, professional firms, accommodation providers, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. Dawn has experience in advising clients on accounting, financial and tax issues in relation to businesses, property investments, trusts, structuring and assisting clients with their day to day queries.

 

Juli Anne Tolley (Immediate Past President)

Juli has been investing in residential property for over 25 years both in New Zealand and California, US. Over the years, she was engaged in buying and selling of units, renovations, and the management of properties both personally and with the engagement of property management professionals – all while building a successful career in the IT sector with Oracle and raising a family. Juli is passionate about property investment and believes that it is one of the most secure forms of a retirement financial portfolio.

Juli moved to Tauranga in 2010 from California, and purchased the Quinovic Property Management – Tauranga franchise with her husband Cliff. She has enjoyed becoming a part of the community and area she has come to love, managing the Otumoetai College Motocross Team, and working with different organizations to assist with home placement and renter education. Juli was nominated to the TPIA committee in 2014 and is excited to be part of a growing organization with people who share her passion for property.

 

Diane Hansen (Treasurer)

Diane has been a property investor since 2013 when she brought her first investment property, an apartment in Auckland. Since then she has built up her property portfolio in Tauranga to include a mix of one, two & three bedroom properties and apartments. She enjoys the relationship she has with her tenants, and manages all the properties herself. Diane has worked at ASB Bank for the last 19 years, and loves working with her clients to help them purchase their family home or build their investment property portfolios. Diane joined the TPIA Committee in 2020 and recently moved from the position of Secretary to Treasurer.

 

Phillip Armstrong (Secretary)

Phillip Armstrong grew up in Doubtless Bay, Northland. He went through Waikato University and started a career in the IT Sector in 1992. In 1997 he spent 5 years in the UK with his wife Kate, during which time they rented their house in Hamilton, and travelled extensively. On moving back to raise a family in 2002, they started buying more property mainly in Hamilton, but some in other centers like Palmerston North and Gisborne. Phil has also started investing in some commercial syndicates. He is a buy and hold investor, not really doing anything special, but does leverage equity gains to increase his portfolio if the yield is right. He has self managed most of his own properties in the past, but now enjoys leaving the inspections and tenant finding to the experts. Phil currently works for Trustpower as his day job, having moved to Tauranga in 2016 from Hamilton.

 

Paul Dow

Born in Wales, educated in Scotland, I had a 20+ Year Corporate career with Microsoft, Vodafone, Hewlett Packard but decided I wanted a change of pace and direction so decided to work for myself and become a Mortgage Broker. I have my own company Know How Property based in Tauranga and work with the Majesty Mortgage Broker Team in Tauranga. I have owned over a dozen residential properties over the years I've always had an interest in all things property so becoming a mortgage broker seemed the perfect blend of combining my personal interests with my business and commerce experience.

I am a husband and Dad to three young children. I am involved in several property network groups and have previously been a Trustee of Matua and Otumoetai Intermediate Schools and a National Board Member of the Institute of IT Professionals.

When I'm not helping people with their mortgage needs you can usually find me fishing, skiing, heading out on a family bike ride or catching up with family or friends round the BBQ with a cold beer or two!!

 

Garth Cumming

Garth has achieved financial independence with the use of property and is a committed full time property investor. He has been a member of the TPIA since 2007, has a long term approach to investing, building both a multi regional long term hold residential portfolio since 2002 and a commercial portfolio since 2018.

In 2018 property investment afforded Garth, his wife Emma and their three children, five months overseas enjoying a European summer. He has a background as an automotive tradesperson and then 16 years as an Insurance Loss Adjuster. 

 

Jay Jeram

Jay, a Building Services Engineer with Cosgroves, relocated from Auckland to Tauranga in 2020 with his family. This move led to his first home becoming an investment property, sparking his interest in real estate investing.

As a member of the International Academy of Wealth, Jay expanded his knowledge of various asset classes and money mindset coaching. His 15+ years in Engineering Consulting culminated in establishing Cosgroves' Tauranga branch in 2021.

Jay's engineering background naturally led him to property investing. In 2021, he acquired properties in Whangarei and New Plymouth using the BRRRR strategy. Since then, he's explored property flipping and diverse investment strategies.

Joining the TPIA in 2023, Jay was nominated to the committee in 2024. He's passionate about sharing financial knowledge, especially with younger individuals. In his free time, Jay enjoys exercise, recently taking up longboarding at the Mount.

 

Mike Lane

Mike first joined the Tauranga Property Investors Association (TPIA) around 20 years ago when he and Christine had begun investing in residential properties. It was a valuable learning experience for both of them. About 18 months ago, Mike volunteered to rejoin the TPIA committee, driven by his ongoing interest in residential property investing.

He would like the TPIA membership to recognise the dedication of the committee - a passionate group striving to ensure their efforts are focused on best serving the needs of TPIA members.