Neighbourly Good Sort: Mark Dunajtschik
Todays Good Sort is someone who can claim to have changed the face of Wellington.
Wellington property developer Mark Dunajtschik was this week honoured as the Property Council New Zealand Members’ Laureate, a lifetime membership awarded once a year.
Mark was called “a shining example of ‘property for good’, consistently breaking the often-negative connotations that come with the role of property developer”.
A humble man, Mark came to New Zealand as a toolmaker in 1958 to make a new life after an extraordinary story that saw him imprisoned in a Yugoslav concentration camp before eventually escaping with his mother to Germany.
He trained as a toolmaker, before spending five years travelling the world and deciding to make New Zealand his home.
After a few months on Kiwi soil, Mark established Precision Grinders, running the business successfully for 25 years.
After retiring in 1987, he dabbled in property investment and development as a hobby, quickly accumulating and adding value to commercial and residential property around central Wellington, developing his unique, hands-on formula for success.
He has added value
His legacy includes properties such as Environment House, the James Smith Building, the Harcourts Building, HSBC Tower, the Asteron Centre, and more recently the new $50 million-dollar Children’s Hospital for Capital and Coast District Health Board, which he has developed and gifted to the city.
Mark has also been benefactor for many charitable organisations including a helicopter service which eventually morphed into the present Life Flight Trust, disability provider Hohepa, the Wellington Free Ambulance and as one of the first private donors to the Michael Fowler Centre.
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🎄Let's get festive 🎄
If you've decked your halls with all things jolly, we think it deserves to be shown off!
Share a photo of your home in its Christmassy glory and be in to win a spot prize. Some of these entries will be chosen as a finalist for the grand title of NZ's Merriest Home which Neighbourly members can vote on!
Entries close Sunday, 15th of December so share a photo today 📸
Neighbourhood Riddle Duel: Who Will Guess First?
There are three playing cards in a row. Can you name them with these clues?
There is a two to the right of a king.
A diamond will be found to the left of a spade.
An ace is to the left of a heart.
A heart is to the left of a spade.
Now, identify all three cards.
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What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.