PHOTO: Aaron Drever. FILE
Aaron Drever: From Real Estate Success to Legal Struggles
Aaron Drever, once a prominent West Auckland real estate agent with an impressive career boasting $938 million in sales and earning $1.5 million annually, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison. This marks another chapter in the high-profile downfall of a former industry leader who was also a well-known speedway announcer at Western Springs Speedway.
Drever’s decline began with his record-breaking number of censures by the Real Estate Agents Authority, followed by bankruptcy and a 2022 conviction for deception and forgery charges. Released on parole in September 2023, Drever faced additional charges stemming from his involvement in his former girlfriend’s fish and chip shop chain, The Fish and Chippery. This involvement drew the attention of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), leading to his latest prosecution.
The Auckland District Court handed down the sentence on charges including managing or controlling a business while bankrupt, failing to provide a statement of affairs, and obtaining credit over $1,000 while under a bankruptcy regime. Judge Evangelos Thomas, who previously sentenced Drever in 2022, chose a prison term over home detention, citing the gravity of the offenses.
Despite a rocky stint in prison, which included an assault by another inmate, Drever had expressed a desire to reform and live a “simple life.” However, his return to incarceration raises questions about the challenges of rehabilitation and the impact of ethical lapses on professional success.
Drever’s case serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of integrity in the real estate industry, where trust and reputation are key.
SOURCE: STUFF