Former All Blacks Sevens star Kurt Baker has traded the rugby pitch for the property market.

The two-time Commonwealth Games champion and Olympic medallist has joined the Bower Real Estate group as a sales consultant.

Baker is one of two new high-profile appointments to the Bower group, with seasoned financial expert Dave Lathan announced as the real estate company’s chief financial officer.

Bower co-founder and managing director Anton Jones said the brand’s fresh, new look helped show the company’s ability to attract high-profile agents.

“As a sportsman, Kurt is used to being in a high-performance area, which shows he knows what it takes to get the job done,” Jones said.

“We are also very happy to have Dave on board. Having owned a local accounting business for a number of years, with a significant number of clients, goes to show the calibre of person he is and is testament to the brand we have created and where we are heading as a company.”

Baker, who hung up his boots in 2022, said he was ready to bring the same discipline, competitive mindset and leadership skills to selling property.

“I was always interested in property and how unique each property is,” he said.

“Sport was my dream job. But if you asked me now, this would be it.”

During his 14-year professional rugby career, Baker said he worked many different jobs in between training and games.

Growing up in Palmerston North, Baker worked as an electrician before landing a job at the ASB Bank and later worked in national brand merchandising.

“But as an athlete, I didn’t see myself sitting in an office from 9am to 5pm for much longer.”

Moving to Pāpāmoa in 2010, Baker personally bought and sold property in the area and developed a keen interest in the industry.

“I saw first-hand how daunting buying and selling property can be. I understand how stressful it can be.”

Completing his real estate licence in 2021, Baker held off until the time was right. Last month, he teamed up with experienced sales consultant Lisa Swney.

“For me, it was a no-brainer. We’re just good people helping good people.”

Meanwhile, Lathan brings more than 20 years’ experience across private and commercial practice to the company.

“It’s a dream come true really,” he said. “Bower is becoming a real powerhouse brand.”

A Chartered Accountant, Lathan graduated university with honours in 2002 and began working for multinational insurance companies in the United Kingdom, including Swiss Re and GE.

After relocating to New Zealand in 2006, he transitioned to public practice and later became a partner in a private accounting firm.

In 2013, Lathan started running the business that became accountancy firm Lathan & Associates.

During this time, he grew his client base from two clients to more than 800 and gained extensive experience in taxation, accounting, insolvency and forensic accounting.

Lathan returned to the commercial sector last month, joining Bower as its new CFO on the 12th anniversary since taking over the helm of Lathan & Associates.

He said the stars aligned when he got the call from Bower CEO Hayden Duncan.

“I started running the business on July 21, 2013 and got the call from Hayden exactly 12 years later on July 21, 2025 that there was an opportunity for a new CFO.”

After running his own business of hundreds of clients, Lathan said he was now able to focus his experience solely towards Bower.

“I have been able to get under the skin and provide impactful advice to the board of directors, putting the train tracks in place to steer the company in the right direction,” he said.

With its fresh, new look, Lathan said Bower was attracting high-profile sales agents to its growing brand.

“Success attracts successful people. I am really excited for the future of the Bower group.”

– Content supplied by Bower. Zoe Hunter is a former NZME and Sun Media journalist who now works as a freelance writer.