The Westerman name is synonymous with real estate in Taupo.
Thousands of the region’s properties have sold under the auctioneers gavel since founder Dorothy Westerman first hammered in a waratah and put up a ‘for sale’ shingle, with her name and three digit phone number, nearly 60 years ago. Dorothy’s vision, after she and husband Paul arrived from Hawkes Bay in the early 1950’s, predicted Taupo’s holiday destination potential.
Her vision became the firm's trademark, successfully carried on by the successive generations of the family. Taupo during the 1950’s-60’s resembled a frontier town; pumice roads and choking dust storms, broom and a fledgling tourist industry based on trout fishing. For Dorothy, juggling nine children, the town’s central location and vacant land offered unrealised potential. “Dorothy was always able to see the big picture,” says daughter, and company director, Yvonne Westerman. “When she and Paul honeymooned in Taupo, they could see the potential, there was never any intention to go back to Hawkes Bay.” Dorothy was roundly criticised when deciding to expand the business in the 1970’s and buy the Ruapehu and Roberts St corner property where Westerman Property Solutions and Bayleys are situated today. Yvonne says.“Everyone told her she was crazy. It was windy - the ‘bum’ end of the town, but she persevered and bought it anyway.”
It is now one of Taupo’s landmark sites; metres from the lakefront and surrounded by busy cafeterias and food outlets. Since those pioneering days, Dorothy Westerman Real Estate has evolved into a diverse family-owned enterprise where the real estate company continues to flourish trading as Bayleys Real Estate with locations in Turangi as well as the Flagship office at the lake end of Taupo town. The property management business is a hub of activity also located in the magnificent Westerman Building, yet again endorsing Dorothys vision for Taupo's ongoing prosperity.