Sam McIntyre

PHOTO: From forced exit to industry leader — the founder of Ownly has just claimed New Zealand’s top real estate innovation title.

In one of the most inspiring comebacks in New Zealand real estate, Sam McIntyre, founder of Ownly, has been crowned Trade Me Property’s 2025 Innovator of the Year — a title awarded after over 900 nominations from across more than 16,000 licensed agents nationwide.

Once a key force behind one of the country’s largest real estate disruptors, McIntyre’s journey took a dramatic turn.

“I gave everything to that company. Then one morning, it was over,” he says.
“Three years of legal battles followed… but so did the fire to build something better.”

That “something” is Ownly — a bold, agent-first business model that’s rapidly reshaping the New Zealand real estate landscape. With no franchise fees, full marketing support, and the freedom for high-performing agents to build and own their personal brand, Ownly has grown more than 100% year-on-year.

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“Innovation is born when everything else breaks”

For McIntyre, the award isn’t just recognition of a new model — it’s a symbol of resilience.

“This isn’t just about disruption. It’s about rebuilding. It’s about backing yourself when others don’t.”

He credits his wife, his core HQ team, and the early adopters of Ownly who saw the vision before it was proven.

In a now-viral post, McIntyre shared the irony of receiving an innovation award from the very platform that once listed properties for the company he was ousted from.

“I take no joy in watching that business decline. But it’s a reminder: evolve or get left behind.”

About Ownly

Ownly is a New Zealand-based real estate agency model built for elite agents ready to break free from traditional office politics and outdated franchise models. It offers complete back-end support, marketing muscle, and scalable branding power — letting agents keep more of what they earn while building something truly their own.

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