Shane Cortese's new career path

Shortland Street star Shane Cortese has landed a new role – but it's not an acting job.

Cortese is joining New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty (NZSIR) as a licensed real estate agent based in Auckland.

The Kiwi actor – known for playing Dominic Thompson in Shortland Street and Mac Delaney in Nothing Trivial – was approached by his best friend and bandmate Chris Jones to join the property industry.

"I didn’t just jump into it. There has been a lot of thought gone into this decision and I’m very excited about it,” Cortese says.

He promises it's not complete career change: Cortese will continue acting, saying the new role will enable him to stay in New Zealand with his family and be selective about his TV roles.

He says he's "very committed to NZ drama and would very much like to remain filming here in NZ."

Cortese isn't the only star to move into real estate - last year, Sally Ridge teamed up with her partner Warren Fielding to work for Bayleys in Ponsonby. 

This story first appeared on spy.co.nz and is republished here with permission.