Who are Ryan and Raphaëlle?

Every good relationship is built on knowing the people you deal with well and being able to communicate with them with a high degree of honesty. When you meet Ryan and Raphaëlle it is immediately apparent that they run their business in exactly that way. But who are Ryan and Raphaëlle and why should you reach out to them? Raphaëlle hails from a picturesque village (pop. 800) called Roquebrun, in the south of France. Her parents, now retired, enjoy growing grapes, organic vegetables, making honey and olive oil. Growing up, her father’s work took them to New Caledonia where she lived for 8 years, thoroughly enjoying life in the South Pacific.

Ryan - Ryan was born in Te Awamutu to a Kiwi mum and an Irish dad. He attended the local schools before living in Ireland in his early teens, returning to NZ to finish his schooling at Auckland Grammar.

Raphaëlle’s desire to study hotel management led her to completing her degree in one of France’s premier hotel management schools. She thrived in all aspects, spending 6 months in each department, such as front of house, kitchen (including working in a Two Star Michelin kitchen), accounts etc over 3 years. Upon graduation she decided that she needed to learn English to complement her degree and enhance her career. A chance meeting in New Caledonia with Kathy Guy, then GM of the iconic Chateau Tongariro, who, impressed with her drive and professionalism, offered her a full-time position and a road to a visa in NZ.

Ryan left school to enroll in University of Canterbury, but quickly found himself working full time for his local Karate club, training, instructing, and recruiting new members by going door to door joining for the club. He then followed his childhood dream of being a snowboard instructor at Cardrona. Unfortunately, a serious injury curtailed that career and he returned to Auckland, enrolling at the University of Auckland, where he, as a mental challenge, studied everything Russian- language, history, politics and literature. At the same time, his part time job at Villa Maria Estate began to create opportunities, eventually becoming a full-time role as a sales executive in both Auckland and Christchurch, until the travel bug struck and knowing he would excel as a Sommelier, he headed for one last winter at his favourite mountain, Ruapehu.

Their paths collided and two years later, it was not just Ryan that left to travel, but his fiancée Raphaëlle as well. The two travelled the world before returning to settle in Wellington. They both thrived, Ryan started a business coaching business focused on the hospitality industry, and Raphaëlle became the maître’ d for the French Ambassador in the French Embassy.

Raphaëlle’s role was incredibly personalised and exacting. Whether it was a small gathering of diplomats, a private dinner, or a grand soirée for hundreds of people, it had to be perfect. Her exemplary attention to detail mattered. Meanwhile, Ryan amassed almost 3000 hours of coaching business owners to grow, systemise and build greater businesses across the country, experiencing incredible insights into small business in NZ. This knowledge and emotional intelligence feeds directly into every one of his client’s campaigns.

Fast forward and the couple moved to Pukekohe in 2012, this time with their son Rémy who was born 15mins before the 2011 Rugby World Cup Final - France vs NZ. Ryan jokes that Rémy just had to see the game, to see his team, the All Blacks, win.

Raphaëlle’s desire to be a full-time mum meant that Pukekohe was the perfect place to live. It was close to Auckland to keep in touch with the French community, and close to the Waikato and Coromandel for family and friends. They loved the welcoming feeling of the town right from the first visit. Being able to go to the beach, walk to town, play golf and become involved in their community were all things that had great appeal. Ryan’s success as a sales manager at Manukau Nissan meant that Raphaëlle could continue to be a full time mum when they welcomed their second son, Imanol, born in Pukekohe Hospital in 2015, another successful World Cup year!

By now Ryan was keen to get involved in the Real Estate industry and entered the construction industry by supplying high end, Italian made residential lifts. The market was growing, however, despite impressive year on year growth, Covid intervened and Ryan & Raphaëlle made the decision to leave construction and take the opportunity to join the Real Estate Industry together. Together, Ryan & Raphaëlle have over 40 years of business experience, covering sales, marketing, project management, corporate management, business development & ownership, online marketing and importing high end Italian products. These skills and experiences are tailor made for the real estate industry and have set them up to be your perfect agents. With Ryan’s natural flair for sales & marketing mirrored by Raphaëlle’s attention to detail, you can be sure that you are in safe hands.

After speaking with several companies, one stood out from the others, and that was Ray White, led by Reece Prewett and Sandy Bullock. What impressed Ryan & Raphaëlle was Reece’s 30 year career as a senior executive with Fonterra, opening markets across the world, while Sandy is in the Top 1% of Ray White agents. With their support, Ryan & Raphaëlle quickly established themselves as Top 10 performers in their office and in the Top 20% of Ray White agents nationwide and now look forward to assisting you and your family achieve your real estate goals.