Plan Your Future | Estate Succession Planning

Gain Peace of Mind with Independent Estate Succession Planning and Advice

As an executor, administrator, trustee, or beneficiary of a Will, you may be required to undertake a market valuation of the estate. Our professional and compassionate team has the experience to provide you with up-to-date independent property valuations and advise. Often before selling or transferring assets, there is a probate settlement that requires a property valuation. Our highly skilled valuers provide independent property valuations that satisfy the requirements of your probate settlement by assessing the market value of the property assets to ensure an equitable transfer to your beneficiaries.

Our Coverage

We have a highly skilled team of professional valuers who can provide specialist local knowledge and insights to support your succession planning.

Our Technology

Our technology enhances the valuation process for everyone involved with customisable, automated workflows and centralised systems to access, manage, and deliver your reports.

Bio

Ming Zhao

Registered Valuer

Nick Westerkamp

Registered Valuer

Bio

Sasha Peters

Senior Registered Valuer

Bio

Simon-Peter Finlay

Registered Valuer

Steven Flexman

Registered Valuer

Tim McCabe

Registered Valuer

Bio

Tony Mcewan

Registered Valuer

Tyson Gedge

Registered Valuer

Bio

Pierce Dobbie

Graduate Valuer

Michael Hall

Regional Director

Formal Qualifications

Registered Valuer - 2008 License No. 3495
Member of the Property Institute of New Zealand (MPINZ)
Bachelor of Property, Auckland University

Industry Experience

Michael is currently the Regional Director for the New Zealand Commercial & Industrial team but began his valuation career with Sheldon & Partners Limited in 2004 upon completing a Bachelor of Property at the University of Auckland. He went on to gain registration as a valuer in 2008.

Since that time Michael has specialised in a broad range of Commercial & Industrial valuations within Auckland with a strong focus on the North Shore and Rodney regions. Michael is “born & bred” on the North Shore, and this combined with having specialised in the region since 2004 has allowed him to develop strong relationships with local key stakeholders enabling him to provide accurate, timely and cost-effective advice.

Opteon New Zealand was established with the merger of Sheldons & Partners Limited, a practice based in Auckland New Zealand that had been in operation for some 40 years.

Areas of Expertise

Commercial & Industrial valuations
Pre-sale and pre-purchase advice
Rental assessments
Insurance valuations
Tax depreciation valuations
Subdivisional/development land valuations
Asset valuations for financial reporting
Development feasibility

Richard Vaughan

Regional Director

Formal Qualifications

Registered Valuer
Member of the Property Institute New Zealand
Bachelor of Property – The University of Auckland
Appointed to the NZ Residential Valuations Forum (RVF)

Industry Experience

Richard is a vastly experienced registered valuer whose breadth of experience ranges from established niche markets within Auckland and extending beyond taking in development projects across the Pacific and through the Middle East. Meticulous attention to detail, broad understanding of clients’ needs, and an engaging personality serve to ensure professional and competent advice is offered.

Richard joined Opteon through the merger of Sheldons & Partners Limited a long-established practice based in Auckland New Zealand that had been in operation for some 40 years. In 2024, Richard was appointed to the Residential Valuations Forum, which includes representatives from the four main lenders in NZ, panel managers and other key stakeholders who seek to guide the residential space, aiming to mitigate risk and lift the standard of reporting across the industry.

Areas of Expertise

Insurance Assessments
Matrimonial Assessments
Residential Specialist with expertise in Apartments, Lifestyle, Residential Block Land

Kris Vulinovich

Associate Director

Formal Qualifications

Registered Valuer
Member of the Property Institute of New Zealand (MPINZ)
Bachelor of Property - University of Auckland

Industry Experience

Kris is a Registered Valuer and is currently a Regional Director for the New Zealand Residential team. He began his career in the company back in 2004 for Sheldon & Partners Limited after completing a Bachelor of Property at the University of Auckland. Since 2005, Kris has specialised in a broad range of residential valuations within the south Auckland locality and has established strong relationships with local key stakeholders whilst managing his residential team.

Areas of Expertise

Residential Property Valuations for:

Mortgage requirements
Selling or pre purchase
Urban infill redevelopment sites
Existing and proposed

Alexander Dolejschka-Ang

Registered Valuer

Formal Qualifications

Registered Property Valuer
Bachelor of Property and Bachelor of Commerce (Econ/Fin) Conjoint – University of Auckland
IB Diploma

Industry Experience

Alex has been working with Opteon since 2021, following four years’ experience in the field and earning his valuation registration in 2020. In his previous role, Alex worked on broad range of valuations, including commercial/industrial, residential, land development, rent reviews, and insurance valuations.

Since joining Opteon, Alex’s focus has been on residential valuations predominantly in the South Auckland market, and lifestyle valuations in the Rodney district including Coatesville. Alex is heavily engaged with the property valuation industry, serving as the Treasurer of the Property Institute of Auckland branch for the last four years.

Areas of Expertise

Residential property valuations
As If Complete, Kiwibuild, Land and development valuations
Valuations for mortgage security, relationship property purposes
Valuations for pre-purchase / pre-sale advice
Insurance valuations, rent reviews, commercial/industrial valuations

Ben Roberts

Registered Valuer

Formal Qualifications

Bachelor of Business, Majoring in Valuation & Property Management - Massey University
Registered Valuer - 2023
Member of the Property Institute of New Zealand (MPINZ)

Industry Experience

Ben started with Opteon in 2019 upon completing his Property degree at Massey University and went on to gain registration as a valuer in 2023. Ben works with the NZ Commercial & Industrial team specialising in a broad range of valuations within Auckland.

Areas of Expertise

Commercial & industrial valuations
Pre-sale and pre-purchase advice
Rental assessments
Insurance valuations
Tax depreciation valuations
Asset valuations for financial reporting purposes

Conrad Smith

Valuer

Formal Qualifications

Bachelor of Property, University of Auckland 2020
Bachelor of Commerce, University of Auckland 2020
Member of the Property Institute of New Zealand (MPINZ)

Industry Experience

Conrad assists both Opteon’s Residential Team and Commercial and Industrial Team with experience within the South Auckland, North Shore and Rodney regions. Conrad has been with Opteon since 2019 starting in data research, becoming a Property Valuer upon completing his Property and Commerce degrees in 2020.

Areas of Expertise

Residential Property Valuations
Residential/Lifestyle Property Valuations
Commercial & Industrial Property Valuations
Valuations for Mortgage Security Purposes
Valuations for Rental Assessments
Insurance Valuations
Sales Analysis for South Auckland, North Shore and Rodney Residential, Lifestyle Blocks and Commercial/Industrial properties
Market Research and Reporting

Ewen Lilburn

Appointee Valuer

Formal Qualifications

New Zealand Certificate in Engineering
Bachelor of Business Studies (Massey University - ongoing)

Industry Experience

Ewen has over 15 years’ experience in the property valuation industry, primarily with Government services throughout the Northland region. He is proficient in residential, lifestyle and rural valuation techniques required in the maintenance of the District Valuation Roll and has an in depth knowledge of legislation that impacts rating valuation methodology.

Ewen provides specialist expertise in index creation and statistical interpretation of mass appraised data gleaned from the successful implementation of fourteen district revaluation projects. Ewen’s engineering background brings to Opteon added knowledge of data integrity techniques and the ability to streamline workflow processes for accurate outcomes.

Areas of Expertise

Residential and lifestyle property valuations
District Revaluations
Mass valuation modelling
Territorial Authority account management
Asset valuation for private and government clients

Gary Brunsdon

Registered Valuer

Formal Qualifications

ANZIV, SPINZ

Industry Experience

Gary began his valuation career in 1978 under a valuation cadetship with Valuation New Zealand, while completing a Diploma in Valuation at Auckland University. After qualifying in 1981 Gary obtained registration in 1983. Gary is now a Senior Member of the Property Institute and an Associate of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers.

He joined Sheldons in 1987, and then became a director of Sheldons in 1992. On a day to day basis, he was responsible for the residential side of the Company involved in staff training, the joint directorship of the practice and overseeing the daily administration of Sheldons. Following the recent rebranding to Opteon New Zealand Limited Gary has stepped back from a full-time management role and now fulfills a consultancy role including mentoring of the younger team members.

Areas of Expertise

Gary specialises in residential valuations on the North Shore covering Albany, Hillcrest, Birkenhead, Northcote and Glenfield.

James Clark

Registered Valuer

Formal Qualifications

Senior Member of the Property Institute of New Zealand (SPINZ)
Associate of the Institute of Valuers (ANZIV)
Registered Valuer – Registration Certificate Number – 2757
Bachelor of Property Administration (BPA) from the Auckland University

Industry Experience

James began his valuation career in 1986 under a valuation cadetship with Housing New Zealand (formerly Housing Corporation of NZ), where he received practical experience in the building and valuation industry, property management and general administration. He obtained a Bachelor of Property Administration and is a Senior member of the Property Institute of New Zealand and an Associate Member of The New Zealand Institute of Valuers.

James practised in Whangarei for 9 years covering a wide range of valuation work from commercial/industrial through to residential and small blocks, before moving to Auckland in 1992 and continuing to value within the wider Isthmus. He joined Sheldon & Partners in 2001 and specialises in residential valuations within the Eastern suburbs where he resides, with particular interest in higher priced property. This encompasses the Central Bays area from Parnell to St Heliers, Glendowie, Panmure, Ellerslie, Mt Wellington and Remuera. James has an extensive client base and is one of the more experienced residential valuers in the Central Bays.

Areas of Expertise

Residential Valuations
Mortgage Security purposes
Pre-purchase
Pre-sale
Development
Trust formation

Jason Wong

Registered Valuer

Formal Qualifications

Registered Valuer
Member of the Property Institute of New Zealand
Bachelor of Property, Auckland University

Industry Experience

Jason started with Sheldon & Partners (later acquired by Opteon Solutions) in 2007 starting in the West Auckland residential team before transitioning in 2009 to the commercial team working predominantly under Brian Stafford-Bush where he has completed a variety of work throughout Auckland. Following registration in 2015, Jason has focused on the South Auckland Commercial Industrial market, including work on a wide range of insurance valuations and helping with the training of Graduate Valuers within the firm.

From 2014 to 2016 Jason also served on the Auckland Branch Committee for The Property Institute of New Zealand serving as CPD Conveyor organising a variety of educational events for the membership.

Areas of Expertise

Commercial/Industrial Valuations with a focus on South Auckland
Insurance Valuations, in particularly Bodies Corporate
Assessments relating to the Unit Titles Act including Ownership Interest and Utility Interest assessments

Jeffrey Qin

Registered Valuer

Formal Qualifications

Registered Valuer Licence No. 3852
Member of the Property Institute of New Zealand
Bachelor of Property, Auckland University, New Zealand – 2012

Industry Experience

In 2019 Jeffrey became a Registered Property Valuer. Jeffrey started working at Opteon in 2014 as a commercial valuer undertaking a range of commercial and industrial valuations in the central Auckland region. Over the last few years Jeffrey has focused on residential and development land valuations within the south and central Auckland regions being involved in a wide spectrum of valuation assignments ranging from standard residential properties to high value complex assets and subdivision projects.

Areas of Expertise

Residential valuations
Commercial & Industrial valuations
Development Land valuations
Mortgage requirements
Pre-sale and pre-purchase advice
Insurance valuations

Jessie Jiang

Registered Valuer

Formal Qualifications

Registered Valuer (NZ)
Associate Member of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers
Member of the Property Institute of New Zealand
Bachelor of Property, Auckland University
LLB (Peking University)

Industry Experience

Jessie began her valuation career in early 1999, gaining a wide range of valuation experience, involved in various consultancy assignments including site acquisition and disposal, financial analysis in conjunction with leasing and development projects, budget analysis in portfolio management and cell site acquisitions for the communication network. After joining Sheldons in 2002, Jessie specialised in residential valuations. Wanting to expand her commercial experience Jessie worked as a senior valuer for Bayleys Valuations Limited in 2004-2005. Her main focus was commercial and industrial valuations including market valuations, rental reviews, arbitrations and compulsory acquisitions. In 2006, Jessie joined Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) where she was responsible for commercial valuations including office buildings, shopping centres, large blocks of land and industrial properties. In 2007, Jessie re-joined Sheldons to fulfil the role of commercial team leader and shareholding director. After Sheldon’s rebranding to Opteon, she is now an Associate Director with Opteon New Zealand.

Areas of Expertise

Commercial and Industrial valuations
Development valuations
Asset valuations for financial reporting purposes
Valuation for mortgage security purposes
General Property Consultancy
Insurance valuations
Rental valuations

John Hickey

Registered Valuer

Formal Qualifications

Registered Valuer
Associate of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers
Senior Member of the New Zealand Property Institute
Diploma in Urban Valuation from Auckland University

Industry Experience

John is highly regarded as a valuer and is very experienced in the areas he concentrates on being Auckland’s Eastern and far Eastern Suburbs.

Areas of Expertise

Residential property valuations
Valuations for mortgage security purposes
Valuations for property taxation purposes
Valuations for pre-purchase/pre-sale advice purposes
Valuations for compensation purposes
Valuations for insurance purposes
Rental valuations

Kurt Brunsdon

Registered Valuer

Kurt joined Opteon in 2012 after graduating from Massey University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Business (Finance and Marketing) and subsequently gained a Bachelor in Property Valuation and Management before obtaining his NZIV Registration in 2017. Kurt carries out a variety of residential valuations on the North Shore, having developed a depth of knowledge of this market along with a solid network of local property professionals. In his spare time, Kurt enjoys keeping active with his young family.

Leeane Gregory

Registered Valuer

Formal Qualifications

Registered Valuer
Member of the Property Institute New Zealand (PINZ)
Bachelor of Property (University of Auckland 2003)
Bachelor of Commerce (BGS) (University of Auckland 2008)

Industry Experience

Leeane joined Opteon NZ in 2016, having previously worked for Sheldon and Partners, CBRE and Aim Valuation from 2003. She has a range of expertise with specific focus in residential property, including valuation of single and multi-dwelling residential properties, apartments, investment property, land and development land, construction, insurance and high value residential property within the Auckland Area. Leeane also provides reports to councils and government departments for specialised purposes, including for acquisition and disposal requirements, rental and development assessments amongst others.

Areas of Expertise

Residential Property Valuations for:

Residential property valuations
Development land and construction (including progress payment certificates)
Valuations for mortgage security purposes (including apartments and high value properties, multiple income units and investment properties)
Valuations for property taxation, legislation, acquisition including partial acquisition
Valuations for pre-purchase / pre-sale advice purposes / division of relationship and estate property
Asset valuations for financial reporting purposes
Valuation for insurance certificates
Rental assessment

Mark Davidson

Registered Valuer

Formal Qualifications

Registered Valuer
Member of the Property Institute of New Zealand
Bachelor of Property, Auckland University
Diploma of eCommerce

Industry Experience

Mark joined Opteon in 2017. He graduated from Auckland University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Property and worked as a valuer before heading overseas for several years. More recently Mark has worked in residential development management, construction and project management roles before returning to valuation. He has been a keen property investor since 2008 and enjoys the nature of the ever-changing market. Mark is currently a member of the Commercial & Industrial team with a focus on the South Auckland markets.

Areas of Expertise

Commercial & industrial valuations
Pre-sale and pre-purchase advice
Rental assessments
Insurance valuations
Tax depreciation valuations
Subdivisional/development land valuations
Asset valuations for financial reporting
Development feasibility

Michael Dempsey

Registered Valuer

Formal Qualifications

Licensed Valuer in Auckland, New Zealand Registration Certificate No.3879
Member of the Property Institute New Zealand
Practising Certificate No. 843
Bachelor of Business Studies (Valuation and Property Management) - Massey University, New Zealand (2015)

Industry Experience

In 2019 Michael became a Registered Property Valuer in New Zealand with three years prior valuation experience in Auckland and as a member of the New Zealand Property Institute.

Michael’s experience includes the preparation of Valuations and consultancy advice for residential asset classes ranging from prestige residences to urban infill redevelopment sites, existing and proposed residential.

Areas of Expertise

Residential valuations
Mortgage requirements
Strategic investment property advice
Resumption of freehold land
Pre-sale and pre-purchase advice

Mike Mclean

Registered Valuer

Formal Qualifications

Bachelor of Property, Auckland University
Registered Valuer (November 2000, Reg. No 3249)

Industry Experience

Mike joined Sheldon & Partners, now Opteon, in 1996, as a graduate where he was involved in a wide range of valuation work, before focusing on commercial and industrial property, becoming a Registered Valuer in 2000.
Mike’s strong relationships with Real Estate Agents and other property professionals has enabled him to provide accurate and timely advice. He provides excellent client service and believes effective communication is the key to success.
The work he has undertaken encompasses a wide range of properties through New Zealand from typical investment assets for individuals, specialist assets for financial reporting, corporate portfolio’s, compulsory acquisition, rental reviews and insurance assessments.

Areas of Expertise

Commercial and Industrial Valuations
Specialised Assets
Insurance Valuations
Valuations for Acquisition & Disposal
Rental Reviews

Ming Zhao

Registered Valuer

Formal Qualifications

Bachelor of Property & Bachelor of Commerce (Conjoint Degree) from the University of Auckland
Registered Valuer – 2011 Registration Certificate No. 3605

Industry Experience

Ming is currently working as a senior residential valuer. He joined Sheldon & Partners Limited in 2003 as a valuer while he completed his studies at the University of Auckland. Ming started full time in 2005 after completing his Bachelor of Property and Bachelor of Commerce degrees. He went on to gain registration as a valuer in 2011.

Ming has firmly established himself as a highly regarded apartment specialist with his expertise including a broad range of apartment valuations such as leaky building/leasehold/serviced apartment valuations, etc. in Auckland City and fringe city suburbs. Ming’s expertise also includes residential valuations in the central Auckland area, such as Blockhouse Bay, New Windsor, Lynfield and Mt Roskill. Ming is bilingual in Mandarin and Cantonese and his valuation expertise is predominantly residential.

Areas of Expertise

Residential property valuations
Broad range of Apartment valuations including freehold/leasehold/serviced/leaky building/rental valuations
Valuation for mortgage security purposes
Valuation for property taxation, legislation and disclosure purposes
Pre-sale and pre-purchase advice
Rental Assessments
Subdivisional/development land valuations
Development feasibility

Sasha Peters

Senior Registered Valuer

Formal Qualifications

Registered Valuer
Bachelor of Property Degree (First Class Honours) - The University of Auckland
Member of Property Institute of New Zealand (MPINZ)

Industry Experience

Current Areas of Expertise:

Sasha has over 15 years of valuation experience spanning over three different specialisations (refer to ‘Industry Experience subtitle). Currently - Since mid 2014, Sasha has focused on residential valuations specialised in a West Auckland patch, including: Waterview, Avondale, Te Atatu Peninsula, Te Atatu South, New Lynn, Kelston, Glen Eden, Green Bay, Titirangi, Laingholm, Parau, Oratia (Lifestyle), Waiatarua, Henderson Valley, Huia and Piha.

Industry Experience:

In 2009 Sasha graduated from the University of Auckland with First Class Honours in a Bachelor of Property degree and commenced his valuation career at the Head Office of a large multi-national property firm in Britomart as a Commercial Property Valuer, where he spent over 3 years. Sasha began by specialising in the ‘Large Scale Development Land’ division for approximately 2.5 years where he undertook valuations throughout New Zealand for institutional investors, corporate owners, developers and various banks. This work was varied both geographically and by type. In this time, Sasha jointly undertook a number of the largest and most complex valuations in the country.

In 2012, Sasha transitioned (within the same company) into the ‘General Commercial’ team where he specialised in industrial, commercial office, and retail properties throughout the City fringe and South Auckland area.

Sasha joined Sheldons (now Opteon) in 2013 where he continued to specialise in industrial valuations throughout the South Auckland area. After gaining over two years of industrial valuation experience, Sasha then moved into residential valuations (refer to the 1^st paragraph – Current Areas of Expertise).

Personal:

Sasha was born and raised in Auckland City and considers himself a real people person. His interests outside of valuation consists of spending time with family and friends, together with a number of sports including:

Ice hockey (which he both captained the Auckland team and played in the New Zealand team),
Snowboarding
Mountain biking
Golf &
Surfing

Areas of Expertise

Valuations for mortgage security purposes

Valuations for pre-purchase / pre-sale advice purposes

Insurance valuations (assessment of sum insured)

Rental valuations assessments

Residential house valuations

Home and income and investment type property valuations

Lifestyle property valuations

Subdivision/(re)development land valuations

Simon-Peter Finlay

Registered Valuer

Formal Qualifications

Registered Valuer
Member of the Property Institute New Zealand
Bachelor of Property – University of Auckland

Industry Experience

Simon-Peter graduated from the University of Auckland in March 2013, where he completed a Bachelor of Property. Following his graduation, he joined Sheldons (now Opteon), where he undertook insurance valuations for both residential and commercial properties. He later specialised in residential valuations within the South and West Auckland areas. In 2018, he established the Opteon brand in the Waikato region and now undertakes residential valuations in Hamilton City and its surrounding districts.

Areas of Expertise

Residential Property Valuations for:
Mortgage requirements
Selling or pre purchase
Existing and proposed ‘as if complete’ valuations
Residential Insurance Valuations

Tony Mcewan

Registered Valuer

Formal Qualifications

Registered Valuer
Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers
Fellow of the Property Institute of New Zealand

Industry Experience

Tony began his career as a valuer in 1974 with Valuation New Zealand and has worked as a full-time valuer for over 40-years. Tony is a founding Director of Sheldons and now a consultant, contractor to the company, which has now been rebranded as Opteon New Zealand Ltd.

He is a past Chairman of the Auckland Branch of The New Zealand Institute of Valuers and New Zealand Property Institute and was admitted as a Fellow of those Institutes in 2002 in recognition of my services to the profession and expertise as a Valuer.

Most of his experience has been in the greater Auckland Region. He has previously been employed in Northland and has provided services for clients in various regional centres in the North Island.

Pierce Dobbie

Graduate Valuer

Formal Qualifications

Bachelor of Property
Bachelor of Commerce
Member of the Property Institute of New Zealand (MPINZ)

Industry Experience

Pierce is currently a Graduate Valuer, working primarily for the NZ Commercial & Industrial team. Pierce joined Opteon in 2021 part time during his studies, working for the commercial research team. In 2022 Pierce completed his studies, graduating from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Property & Bachelor of Commerce and began his career as a valuer. Since graduating, Pierce has gained experience in a broad range of Commercial & Industrial valuations, with some experience in the residential sector.