PHOTO: Facebook. FILE
THE ORGINAL ARTICLE
A realtor and former Married at First Sight contestant has had his real estate license revoked for not completing a controversial course on Māori culture and tikanga.
Michael Wilson explained that he couldn’t finish the Te Kākano (The Seed) course because he was filming the reality show for six weeks and couldn’t access his emails.
Mike Wilson appeared on Married at First Sight, and is also a realtor. Photo / Supplied.
Earlier this year, fellow realtor Janet Dickson also challenged the course’s validity, refusing to take it. She has since taken the Real Estate Authority to the High Court, with support from Hobson’s Pledge, to seek a judicial review of the regulator’s power to mandate such training.
Dickson criticized the course as “woke madness” on social media, asserting that no industry body should compel members to undergo training on topics only loosely related to their jobs under threat of losing their license.
A Facebook post made by Hobson’s Pledge appealing for donations to help fund Dickson’s legal fight. Photo / Facebook
While Dickson’s refusal stemmed from her belief that the course lacked value, Wilson maintained that his filming schedule simply prevented him from completing it.
Real Estate Agent’s refusal to learn Māori values goes to court
The Real Estate Agents Disciplinary Tribunal recently upheld the cancellation of Wilson’s license after he failed to meet the course deadline. Wilson told NZME that he had no objection to the course itself, but he hadn’t realized he needed to complete it while off-grid.
“I was just super busy with life and didn’t realize there was an extra course,” he said. He has since finished the course, calling it basic content he had learned in school.
Mike Wilson and Kara Lester mutually decided to end their marriage on Married at First Sight. Photo / Warner Bros. Discovery
Wilson expressed disappointment over the cancellation, stating, “It’s just ridiculous.” He claimed he was unaware of Dickson’s actions regarding the course.
Although he appealed the cancellation, the tribunal confirmed the decision, noting he had ample time to inform the registrar of his filming commitments.
The tribunal concluded that the registrar had acted within the law in revoking Wilson’s license after he failed to complete the required continuing professional development (CPD).
Despite the setback, Wilson, who completed 8.5 hours of training by December 2023, plans to reapply for his license in the future.
SOURCE: NZHERALD