Cowdy is a family-run real estate and property management company based in Merivale, Christchurch, founded in 1979. Now in its second generation, the intergenerational business combines over 45 years of local experience with modern thinking, describing its approach as 'the Cowdy Standard' - personal service paired with an impeccable eye for detail.
While Cowdy started with a focus on residential real estate, it has since grown an award-winning property management team and a specialist commercial real estate division, alongside auction and lifestyle property services. The company remains privately owned, with all members of the Cowdy family involved in daily operations: Janice Cowdy (Director) and Olivia Cowdy manage the Property Management division, Nick Cowdy leads Residential Real Estate, and Sam Cowdy heads the Commercial division.
Cowdy is a member of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) and the New Zealand Realtors Network, an organisation of over 2,800 salespeople, 500 property managers and 200 offices nationwide. The company also supports the Christchurch Art Gallery Foundation, Aviva Families, and World Vision New Zealand.
Cowdy has been selling and managing Christchurch properties for over 45 years, having been founded in 1979 as a family business focused on residential real estate. Today, the company is run by the second generation of the Cowdy family, who describe their approach simply as 'the Cowdy Standard' - a combination of personal service and an impeccable eye for detail.
What sets Cowdy apart is that it has remained privately owned and family operated throughout its history. All members of the Cowdy family are involved in the daily running of the business: Janice Cowdy, Director, and Olivia Cowdy manage the Property Management division, Nick Cowdy leads Residential Real Estate, and Sam Cowdy heads up the Commercial division. That structure means each part of the business is led by someone with a direct stake in getting it right.
Cowdy began with a focus on residential real estate, and the company still describes its knowledge of the Christchurch residential market as unrivalled. Over the years, though, the business has expanded well beyond that original focus. It has built an award-winning property management team delivering what it calls a high-performing, personal service unmatched by competitors, and developed a specialist commercial real estate division that takes an innovative approach to selling and leasing commercial and industrial property. Rounding out the offering are dedicated auction services and a lifestyle property division for buyers and sellers outside the standard residential and commercial categories.
Cowdy is a member of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) and belongs to the New Zealand Realtors Network, a nationwide organisation spanning more than 2,800 salespeople, 500 property managers, and 200 offices. Beyond the industry side, Cowdy supports the Christchurch Art Gallery Foundation, Aviva Families, and World Vision New Zealand, reflecting a broader commitment to the local community it operates in.
Cowdy is based at 29 Papanui Road in Merivale, Christchurch, with office hours running Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.00pm, except on statutory holidays. For those who need to reach the team outside office hours, Cowdy's phone line is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Property Management enquiries can be directed to a dedicated email address, and the wider team can also be reached through the website's enquiry form or by requesting a free appraisal of a property.
For anyone buying, selling, leasing, or renting a property in Christchurch, Cowdy positions itself around one central idea: that what matters most to clients is personal service combined with genuine attention to detail - an approach the family has built and refined across more than four decades in the local market.