It was confirmed last week that the businesses established by the late Tony Spivey senior in 1980, now run by his son Tony, has joined forces with PGG Wrightson Real Estate.
The company will continue to operate out of its Thames St premises - where it has been for 36 years - under the PGG Wrightson banner, before it relocates to the national company's premises (also on Thames St) in June.
Mr Spivey said it was the end of an era, but a positive move for himself and wife of 25 years, Belinda.
Reflecting on his father's legacy and his time working with him, he said initially he did not think he would end up in real estate.
It was probably the furthest thing from my mind, to be fair. When I left school I lifted bags and was the office boy at Wrightson NMA. Then I shifted north, came back and went overseas in '85 with a mate.
I came back towards the end of '86 and applied for a job at the freezing works, but they didn't seem to think they needed my skill set. I think at that time I had a backpack, a wok and a cricket bat to my name, so Dad said since you're unemployed you might as well come and help me put up some signs and things until you get your sales certificate', so that's what I did.''
He said he had had a good relationship with his father both personally and professionally, which was reflected in the success of the business.
Mr Spivey said the time was right to move on, a sentiment he believed his father would have shared.
I've had one or two people say do you think he would be turning in his grave?'. The truth is, no. If he was still here it may be different, but he's not. He still had us and we had him ... change was inevitable at some point, one way or the other.''
Mr and Mrs Spivey will focus on residential and commercial real estate, and PGG Wrightson's agents the rural sector.
