When Duke met Cooke

Valuing Nelson Properties Since 1944

Dunedin born, Charles Duke started his career as an architect in 1914. After he returned from the war, he became a qualified valuer in 1944 working in Nelson. In 1964, at age 76, Charles formed a partnership with Peter Cooke and Duke & Cooke was born.

Former Ownership

From Duke & Cooke’s original formation as a partnership in 1964, to its transition to a company in 1991, the past ownership of Duke & Cooke has included Charles Duke, Peter Cooke, Lou Kolff, and Peter Noonan.

MEET THE DIRECTORS

Barry Rowe, Dick Bennison, Simon Charles and Murray Lauchlan

Duke & Cooke is now led by Barry Rowe (L) , Dick Bennison (CL), Simon Charles (CR) and Murray Lauchlan (R). Under their directorship, the company has become a Quality Assured valuation business through the Property Institute of New Zealand.
In 2012, Duke & Cooke became a member of ValGroup, a collective of valuation companies spread throughout New Zealand focused on growing business opportunities and advancing best business practices. Dick Bennison is now on the management board of ValGroup and is keen to help it develop further.

Meet the team

BARRY ROWE

Director and Residential Team Leader
Barry is a Registered Valuer who specialises in residential and rural lifestyle properties. He has 30 years’ experience and maintains a detailed knowledge of current values and trends within these markets. Outside of work Barry’s interests include football administration and is a team member of the local Urban Search and Rescue of Civil Defence.
  • 027 447 8842
  • barry@dukeandcooke.co.nz

DICK BENNISON

Director and Rural Team Leader
Dick is a Registered Valuer and our rural specialist with more than 30 years’ experience in valuing all manner of rural property in the Nelson district. He thrives on sharing his knowledge and experience with his clients. Outside interests include open water swimming, tramping and family.
  • 027 432 7090
  • dick@dukeandcooke.co.nz

MURRAY LAUCHLAN

Director and Commercial Team Leader
Murray, a Registered Valuer with more than 30 years’ experience, specialises in valuing commercial property in Nelson. He enjoys sharing his knowledge with his clients to assist them in their asset management and their future growth strategies. Outside of work Murray’s interests are golf and mountain biking.
  • 027 451 6083
  • murray@dukeandcooke.co.nz

SIMON CHARLES

Director and Commercial Valuer
Simon is a Registered Valuer who has specialised in commercial property valuation since 2004. Simon has undertaken many valuation assignments throughout New Zealand, the Middle East, Europe and the UK. He joined Duke & Cooke in 2011 and then became a Director in 2017. Outside of work Simon’s interests include golf and share market investing.
  • 027 484 4148
  • simon@dukeandcooke.co.nz

SANDY LIST

Residential Valuer
Sandy is a Registered Valuer with 27 years property related experience over a range of different property types. She has lived and worked in various locations in the North Island as well as Geraldine, Christchurch, the UK, and for the past 5 years in regional Victoria, Australia. She has also worked as a Domestic Energy Assessor and as a Loss Adjustor for EQC after the Christchurch earthquakes. Outside of work Sandy’s interests include travelling, tramping, gardening and reading.
  • 020 488 5535
  • sandy@dukeandcooke.co.nz

LINDSAY WILLIAMS

Rural Valuer
Lindsay is a registered valuer specialising in rural property. Lindsay has over 15 years’ experience valuing pastoral land with a particular interest in chicken broiler and egg units, and dairy goat operations. Outside of work Lindsay’s interests include family, cycling, tramping, and fishing.
  • 027 604 6576
  • lindsay@dukeandcooke.co.nz

JAMES SANDSTON

Registered Valuer
James is a Registered Valuer specialising in residential and commercial property. Prior to joining Duke & Cooke in 2019, James worked in Whanganui for four years. Originally from Nelson, James is a keen sportsman having been a successful rower and is currently training for an Ironman.
  • 027 740 8934
  • james@dukeandcooke.co.nz

SAM AYERS

Graduate Valuer
Sam joins our Commercial Team after qualifying with a Bachelor of Business Studies (Property) from Massey University. After travelling overseas and playing representative soccer, Sam has now decided to settle with his partner in Nelson, his hometown.
  • 022 047 9053
  • sam@dukeandcooke.co.nz

JAIMEE RYAN

Office Administrator
  • 03 548 9104
  • Jaimee@dukeandcooke.co.nz

ASHLEY STRACHAN

Office Administrator
  • 03 548 9104
  • Ashley@dukeandcooke.co.nz

Nelson Born and bred

Duke & Cooke began trading in 1964 from first floor offices on Trafalgar Street. Our business has come a long way since then, and we are still firmly in the heart of Nelson, based at 42 Halifax Street.
Visit us here:
Scroll to Top