![](https://cdn.neighbourly.co.nz/images/cache/user_profile_profile_picture/attachments/5f39ec32422c35.87884556.jpeg?170410)
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.
Please put NFP if you do not want your comment used by Stuff.
![Image](https://cdn.neighbourly.co.nz/images/cache/message_max_size/message_images/5fada0158283a0.09584272.jpeg?170410)
![](https://cdn.neighbourly.co.nz/images/cache/user_profile_profile_picture/organisation/5431e2f56f6da0.99048672.png?170410)
What's our best winter activities?
Yes, we love our backyards and think our town is pretty cool but what is there to do?
Imagine you were writing a list for visitors/tourists and want to show them the best that your town can offer in winter. What would you suggest?
![Image](https://cdn.neighbourly.co.nz/images/cache/message_max_size/message_images/66c65ed63ce271.78935301.jpeg?170410)
![](https://cdn.neighbourly.co.nz/images/cache/user_profile_page_picture/profile/57386114329c24.97804724.jpeg?170410)
Limit rates rises to 3%
A campaign calling on the government to limit rates rises to 3% has been launched by the Taxpayers Union.
The Taxpayers Union is asking people to join them in sending a letter to the Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Minister for Local Government Simeon Brown.
See: www.taxpayers.org.nz...
![Image](https://cdn.neighbourly.co.nz/images/cache/message_max_size/message_images/66c6cd0893d5d5.03005887.png?170410)
![](https://cdn.neighbourly.co.nz/images/cache/user_profile_profile_picture/organisation/5431e2f56f6da0.99048672.png?170410)
Poll: Do you believe in ghosts?
Just for a little bit of fun, we'd love to know whether Kiwis believe in ghosts. What goes on in our communities that we don't know about!
Perhaps you've seen a ghost or lived in a haunted home in New Zealand. We'd love to know, so vote in our poll and share your experiences in the comments below.
![Image](https://cdn.neighbourly.co.nz/images/cache/message_max_size/message_images/66c285e1977587.42966837.jpeg?170410)
-
56.5% Yes
-
41.1% No
-
2.4% Other - I'll share below