Patrick Lapalapa

Representing the levels and forms of aroha that can be found throughout our lives across our many communities. We acknowledge the wide range of obstacles and the journey it takes to overcoming everything that stands in our way to expressing aroha within.

Ko wai koe? What are your strengths/weakness?

I’m Patrick Lapalapa, but I go by Pat in the industry. I was born and raised in Mangere East and Otara in South Auckland. I attended school here, but I also spent about eight years in Whanganui with my mum during my childhood. Overall, I have been raised in the South Auckland region. 

As for my heritage, I am a first-generation New Zealander. My parents are from Satapuala and Lepea in Samoa, specifically on the main island of Upolu. They are fully Samoan, and to my knowledge, I don’t have any other ethnicity in my background. 

I was brought up as a Catholic in South Auckland, and my education was rooted in the community and the church. Now, I work in the real estate sector in the South Auckland region. 

I don’t see myself as what we typically label as salespeople, salespersons, or real estate agents. Instead, I view myself more as an advisor and educator. 

I’ve visited many homes in the community, approaching my work from an educational perspective. Selling your property isn’t always the best option. I aim to advise clients that there are alternative avenues, such as keeping their family home or investing in other properties. My goal is to educate and help them build their futures. 

This approach reflects my character and is rooted in my personal experiences. The reason I entered this industry is based on my own background.  

During my first year at University, where I started my Bachelor of Commerce, my parents received questionable advice from a mortgage broker. They were told that if they wanted to access more funds from their property, they should sell it to send money back home.  

This advice was not in their best interest and ultimately led to the risk of my parents’ house going into mortgagee sale. 

From my personal experience, I believe in taking an advisory role rather than just focusing on selling properties for commission. I want to change the perspective in our community and be there to educate and advise our Māori and Pasifika people in the South Auckland region. 

There aren’t many voices for our community in the South Auckland region. Having experienced what my parents went through, I want to ensure that no one else makes similar mistakes, such as having to sell their property or family home due to receiving the wrong advice. Many of us weren’t raised with knowledge about property or financial education, which is a significant gap. 

This personal experience has motivated me to step in as an advisor. I believe this is one of my strengths. 

However, one of the weaknesses is that there aren’t enough people in our community with similar mindsets. Finding like-minded individuals has been a struggle, especially since our industry is primarily commission-based. For many Pasifika people, entering a role that relies solely on commission can be challenging. 

When I first joined the industry, there were very few of us, and even now, we make up less than 5% of the industry. This lack of representation has been a weakness I’ve faced. Despite this, there have been good opportunities, and I’ve taken on a different role as the Sales Manager at the Ray White Mangere office. 

I’ve transitioned from being a Salesperson or Real Estate agent to a management role, where I now work in one of the top offices in the South Auckland region. My focus is on training people to adopt the same mindset: it’s not just about sales. We are driven by the need to serve our clients’ best interests and to look after and advise our community. 

This probably sums up my character, strengths, and weaknesses. 

Seeking guidance from our kaitiaki Hiwa-i-te-rangi, we take a journey through our different aspirations, goals and dreams. This tohu acknowledges hard work, wisdom, the reach of ones goals and the desire that comes from this mahi.

What were/are your career aspirations leading into your chosen career path?​  

My next aspirations involve doing more work around creating pathways. This may not be directly within my company, but I’ve started exploring external alternatives to help Pasifika individuals enter the industry.  

We’ve set up seminars, and I’m on the REINZ (Real Estate Institute of New Zealand) board for the Level 4 Certificate for salespersons. I also work alongside Ringa Hora and attend their meetings when I can. 

I’m branching out to pursue my passions and what I would like to see in the industry, addressing the weaknesses I mentioned earlier. My aspirations include not only creating pathways for others but also my personal goal of becoming a director within the Ray White franchise. 

So, my main aspirations at the moment are to create pathways and to become a director. 

With adventure comes challenges as well as obstacles to overcome. We stand proud as we overcome these obstacles. This tohu draws inspiration from the Niho Taniwha and Aramoana patterns. We acknowledge reaching our destination and preparing ourselves for the many new adventures ahead.

How wīwī wāwā has your career adventure been?​ 

I’ve been in the real estate industry for about 10 to 11 years now. My journey has brought me to where I am today. I wouldn’t say it has all fallen into my lap; rather, I’ve set myself up for success. I thought, if I want to be this person, I need to act like them and do everything that person would do. This mindset has led me to my current positions. 

I’ve focused on what this person does, how they lead their team, and how they interact with others. Having charisma and working through challenges, while maintaining ethical and moral standards with clients, has really shaped my career. 

After all this time, leading by example and adhering to my ethics and morals has landed me in roles that might seem like they just happened by chance, but I’ve always aimed for these positions. 

If you follow your ethics and morals or your wairua, opportunities will present themselves. You just have to be ready to seize them with both hands. I think this is where some people might slip up; they may hesitate to take risks or miss out on opportunities. Personally, I’ve seen opportunities and have grabbed them with both hands and held on tight. 

These patterns represent bravery and being strong in the face of adversity. We strive to be persistent and positively challenge anything that threatens to alter, restrict, and put a barrier in the way of our desired pathway.

What was your defining moment?  What words of wisdom or change in heart, changed your stars?​ 

I see this with many of my new members as they come through the ranks. They often experience some conflict. I always tell them that if they can go home and sleep at night knowing they’ve done the right thing, that’s what matters most. It might not always work out financially, but if you know you’ve acted ethically, opportunities will present themselves. 

I’ve maintained this perspective from the beginning and continue to do so. I believe that while some things can change for the better, your morals and how you treat people should never change. I’ve always been a strong believer in treating others the way you want to be treated. 

If you uphold those values moving forward, opportunities will come your way. They might feel like they fell into your lap, but you will deserve them. Don’t doubt your worth; you’ve done everything to earn your place. 

Here we are drawing inspiration from the Pūhoro pattern.  The pūhoro is used here to represent the strength, speed and agility needed to move forward and accomplish ones goals.

What future actions/recommendations do you have for those who want to be in a career like yours?​ 

I think it’s important to study—not just the course, but also the pros and cons of the industry. Understand what’s required to stay in the field. It’s crucial to know how the pay schedule works before you enter, including the possibility that you might not get paid for the first three to six months, or however long it may be.  

There are risks involved, but as long as you’re making calculated decisions and know exactly what you’re doing, you’ll be in a better position. 

Look into what certificates are available and whether there are any grants you can utilize. It’s also beneficial to speak with people currently in the industry. Do some research on them and check the agency you plan to work with, as the agency you start with will help set up the foundations for your long-term career in real estate. 

So, I believe that research is key to making the right decision when you first start. 

Success, best mentioned in the whakatauki “Tūwhitia te hopo, mairangatia te angitū!” Feel the fear and do it anyway!

What are some the failures/challenges in your life that have helped with your chosen career path? What are some memorable wins for your chosen path?​  

The first company I worked with faced one of the most memorable challenges: it went under. This happened during my third year in real estate and had a massive impact on my progress, delaying me by at least a year and a half to two years. This was a significant challenge for me. 

What I learned from this experience is the importance of resilience and determination. I had to remind myself, “I can do this,” and remember my “why”—the reason I entered this field. That mindset carried me through the tough times. Losing a lot of money during that period was financially challenging, but ultimately, I persevered. I believe I’m better for it now and have learned a lot from that experience. 

When I think of memorable experiences, my most significant one would probably be landing my current role as a sales manager. 

Earlier this year, I was also appointed to the board for REINZ (Real Estate Institute of New Zealand) and became the Sales Manager for the Ray White Mangere office. Additionally, I was contacted to jump on board for Ringa Hora. This year has truly been a year of growth for me. 

Right now, I feel like I’m in a really good place mentally and spiritually. I sense that I’m in a winning phase, but I need to stay grounded and continue moving forward. While I’ve had many moments of growth throughout the years, I would say that this period feels the most memorable.