A strong market is always going to be advantageous to a commercial property manager, but it doesn't mean much if they don't have the right team behind them.

That's the view of Colliers International Real Estate Manager National Director Rupert Cullen, who is one of seven nominees for this year's REIA Commercial Property Manager of the Year Award.

The 41-year-old said his preceding win at REACT awards last year to progress to the national category was a collaborative effort.

"All agencies are ultimately a victim or success story of the market, but you've got to have a team that can capitalise on any change," he said.

"In the past 3-5 years, we have focused on building our expertise in certain areas, with a view to acknowledging there is going to be a fair bit of leasing activity, as well as a fair few buildings changing hands.

"We had our trajectories in the right place so we could help our clients along the way."

Canberra is the latest stop in a career that began across the Tasman.

Mr Cullen started as a property surveyor in his home town of Auckland, before moving over to the UK in 2002, where he worked for Network Rail, also as a property surveyor.

He came back to New Zealand in 2005 to work with Viranda Property Network as a Sales and Leasing Manager, a role he held for just over five years.

A brief stint as Director of Property Services at boutique real estate agency Darrochs in 2011 was followed by a move to Australia live in his wife's hometown of Canberra.

Mr Cullen said his various roles were a natural by-product of his longevity within the industry.

"You definitely come to experience a few things after 20 years," he said.

"Going to different places has helped to broaden my horizons and view on the world."

Mr Cullen can pass his experience on to a team of 20 staff in Colliers International's Canberra office, as well as 11 support staff.

The agency oversees more than 500,000 square metres of office space in the nation's capital, accounting for a 20 per cent share of the market.

The 41-year-old said 2019 promised to be another fruitful year.

"The Canberra market has some really strong fundamentals," he said.

"We have the highest take-home wage of all the states and territories, as well as the third-largest office market in the country behind Sydney and Melbourne.

"I see it remaining at that level going forward."

The REIA Awards for Excellence will be held in Perth on Thursday, March 21.

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