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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Poll: Do you think banning gang patches is reasonable?
With the government cracking down on gangs, it is now illegal for gang members to display their insignia in public places whether through clothing or their property.
This means arrests can be made if these patches are worn in places like restaurants, shops, on public transport or ferries, and on airplanes. Arrests were made recently at a funeral.
Do you think this ban is reasonable?
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77.1% Yes
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22% No
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0.9% Other - I'll share below
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.
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If eleven plus two equals one, what does nine plus five equal?
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