Family values
Family-owned Whittle Knight Real Estate will mark 60 years of business in 2026.
Whittle Knight Real Estate will mark a significant milestone in 2026, celebrating 60 years as one of Christchurch’s most enduring family-owned real estate and property management companies.
Based in Riccarton, the agency has grown alongside the city itself, earning a reputation for innovation, integrity, and deeply personal service that has stood the test of time.
Originally named Whittle Knight and Boatwood, founded in 1966 by Les Whittle, Wally Knight, and Vic Boatwood, the business was born out of a bold idea. Establishing a real estate office in the suburbs was considered radical at the time, but it quickly paid off. Whittle Knight developed a reputation for thinking differently, becoming the first local agency to use aerial photography and the first to auction sections in Queenstown. Innovation has remained a constant thread, from early marketing advances to embracing the internet to connect Canterbury properties with buyers around the world. As the company grew, it remained committed to its suburban offices, expanding and redeveloping the Riccarton building and establishing an additional office in Papanui.
Today, the second generation, Gill Knight, manages the business having joined his father in the 1970s. From the beginning, Whittle Knight has offered both real estate sales and property management services, recognising that while people are more mobile and move more often, property remains the biggest investment most will ever make. Securing the best possible price and making the process smooth and stress-free continues to be the agency’s top priority.
Director Gill Knight believes the company’s longevity speaks volumes. “To us, legacy is the enduring power of the company,” he says. “We’ve been here for 60 years and we’ve performed well for 60 years. That’s a testament in itself.”
A key part of that success lies in remaining deliberately small and flexible. Free from rigid corporate structures, the team is able to work across the whole of Christchurch without restrictions on suburbs or zones. “Our staff and our clients have freedom,” Gill explains. “That’s a big advantage compared with larger companies.”
The agency’s client-first philosophy is also reflected in how it does business. One standout point of difference is Whittle Knight’s willingness to carry upfront costs on behalf of clients. “We take it on ourselves,” says Gill. “We carry the can. It shows confidence in what we do, and it’s a big benefit for our clients.”
Trust and ethics sit at the heart of the company culture, something Gill credits for the many long-standing relationships the agency enjoys. “We have strict rules within our business that everybody does the right thing,” he says. “We serve the client, we look after the goods, and we do it ethically and properly.” This commitment to integrity has helped the agency retain repeat clients across generations, with families returning time and again to buy, sell, and manage their most valuable assets.
As the company moves into its seventh decade, a third generation of the Knight family, Thomas Knight is now within the business, ensuring the values that have underpinned its success will continue. Accounts manager Gillian Knight highlights the family values within the company. “We’ve got a great team who are so enthusiastic, and they look after each other. Everyone gets on and is respectful of one another – and that’s reflected in how we treat our clients too.”