Growing up on a large scale high country farm in Central Otago set the foundation for Ruth’s desire to be involved in the rural industry throughout her working life. After achieving a first class honours degree from Otago University, Ruth commenced her career in Rural Finance that spanned nine years with the National Bank. Not content to sit still for long, in 2005 Ruth joined the progressive new dairy company Synlait as their Business Development Manager focussing on growing their farming assets via key acquisitions around the Canterbury region. More recently, Ruth was involved in the rural building industry with her husband Nigel, and the experience of the incredible highs and lows that this industry encountered over 2008 and 2009 has honed her management and problem solving skills to the highest level.

Ruth has been with Bayleys Real Estate since August 2009 and since then her achievements have been nothing short of astounding, including being named “Canterbury Newcomer of the Year” for 2009-2010 and also the Bayleys top national Country salesperson for two consecutive months. Further, having achieved over $60 million in rural sales over such a short period is a clear indication of Ruth’s dedication and innovation in what has been termed a challenging period for rural sales.

A strong work ethic coupled with being highly motivated has seen Ruth grow into the successful person she is today. She believes in forming long lasting, genuine relationships based on the underlying principles of trust and integrity and applies an open, honest approach to all situations. Furthermore her comprehensive understanding of an often complex and evolving rural market together with her ever-present proactive attitude will not fail to impress.

Ruth is married with two children and lives on a small lifestyle property on the outskirts of Darfield. She enjoys skiing, gardening, playing tennis and touch-rugby and family time including the children’s weekly sporting activities of rugby and netball, or tennis and swimming.

Testimonials: -

Selwyn Plantation Board Ltd

Selwyn Plantation Board Ltd is a producer of forestry and agricultural products from company owned land located in Canterbury, South Island.

We engaged Ruth Hodges of Bayleys Real Estate as our exclusive agent to sell Flagpole Farm and Forestry, a 1,291 hectare property located at Whitecliffs, Canterbury.

Throughout our dealings with Ruth we have found her to be conscientious, trustworthy, hard working and highly reliable. Ruth at all times approached her work in a very professional manner and with the utmost sensitivity to our requirements.

We were delighted at the conclusion of the Flagpole Farm and Forestry deadline sale that a successful transaction was achieved. The sale included 490 hectares of post 89 "Kyoto Carbon Forest".

The Selwyn Plantation Board Ltd is jointly owned by the Selwyn District Council and Christchurch City Council.

G J Cairns Ltd

In October 2009 Ruth Hodges successfully marketed our 153ha farm located at Wakanui, Ashburton. The marketing included an extraordinary opportunity to purchase and transfer a water consent from another party. Ruth’s unique negotiating skills, perseverance, pleasant and calm demeanour and her ability to think laterally enabled this sale to come to fruition. The successful outcome was true testament to Ruth’s incredible skills. We were delighted to work with Ruth through this process and wish her every success in her future real estate endeavours.