About Hopper Living
In 2002, Hoppers opened Maygrove Village, our first at the time and known as our ‘flagship Village’ which continues to be family owned and operated. Today there are four Hopper Living Villages, currently located in Northland, Auckland and Coromandel.
Why Hopper living?
At Hopper Living, our commitment goes beyond business; it's about creating thriving communities where residents truly feel at home.
Here are the key elements that distinguish us:
Family-Owned and Operated: Unlike many others in the industry, we are proudly family-owned and operated. This personal touch is infused into everything we do.
Share in Capital Gains: We offer the unique opportunity for residents to share in the capital gains, creating a true sense of partnership between us and those who call our Villages home.
Resident Empowerment: We actively encourage residents to have a say in their community by facilitating the formation of Resident Association Groups within each Village.
Bespoke Design: Our Villages are meticulously crafted with a focus on practicality, ease, and accessibility, keeping the needs and comfort of our residents at the forefront of our design and development process.
Personalised Management: The management of our Villages is tailored to provide exceptional service and care. Some of our shareholders are directly involved with our Villages, even on a personal level.
Lower Age of Entry: We generally offer a lower age of entry compared to our competitors, providing more flexibility and accessibility to a wider range of residents.
Pet-Friendly: All our Villages are welcoming to your furry companions, making it more comfortable for residents to enjoy their homes with their beloved pets.
The Anchorage Residents at Marsden Cove Marina
The Hopper Family
The Hopper Family came to establish themselves in New Zealand, initially as a young couple from Yorkshire, Ken and Edith Hopper immigrated in 1920 to live in Auckland, later settling in Whangaparaoa in 1927. The couple had aspirations to own and learn how to farmland. The couple were hardworking and soon purchased the Arkles Bay Country Store and Post Office. They further enterprised into dairy farming, pine trees, even growing pumpkins to sell to the US Navy during World War 2, and eventually moved into property development. All the while the family multiplied, Ken and Edith having had 6 children; Barbara, Tony, Ian, Guy, Bill and Trish.
From left to right: Ian, Trish, Bill, Edith, Guy, Barbara, and Tony Hopper.
Some years later Brothers, Tony and Ian, started their own property development firm in the early 1950s. Starting with developments around Whangaparaoa and surrounds, the brothers then tackled the big project of developing Pauanui into a holiday hot spot, thus formed the Pauanui Beach Resort Development in 1967. This is where Hoppers truly found their forte in creating property, and delivering lifestyle emerged to the forefront of their planning and decision-making.
Pauanui 1970s
Starting with developments around Whangaparaoa and surrounds, the brothers then tackled the big project of developing Pauanui into a holiday hot spot, thus formed the Pauanui Beach Resort Development in 1967.
In the 1980’s Ian’s son, Leigh, became paramount to the organisation and took over management in 1987. Leigh, going back to his roots in the Hibiscus Coast, bought a large parcel of land in Orewa to subdivide, and thereafter returning to the Coromandel to bring Pauanui Waterways canal development to life in the early 1990s. Pauanui Waterways, at that time, was unique to New Zealand, and for the first-time offering buyers their own slice of waterfront paradise on a man-made canal.
Leigh and Ian Hopper at Pauanui Waterways
Leigh then looked on to Whitianga, and in 1999 started developing the now expansive Whitianga Waterways development. Northland was soon set upon where subsequently Marsden Cove waterways began in 2002 as the company’s third canal development.
Whitianga Waterways, 2022
Hopper Developments has undoubtedly expanded in recent times, diversifying from property development into retirement living, marine-associated activities, commercial, retail, and residential development, with much more planned on the horizon. All the while, the family and lifestyle theme runs true and remains core to company strategy.
More recently, Hoppers have focused efforts on providing further retirement offerings since opening their first Retirement Village, Maygrove Village in Orewa in early 2002. In 2014, Marlin Waters in Whitianga Waterways begun building the first of 62 freehold villas within a retirement community, catering to a demographic of 50+ and uniquely located on the Waterways at Whitianga which includes private boat ramp, beach and floating clubhouse.
Maygrove Village, Orewa
Hopper Developments’ flagship retirement community, opened in 2002.
A short time after, The Anchorage Retirement Village commenced construction in 2017, welcoming the first resident in 2018. Another unique Retirement Village, this time located on the waterways at Marsden Cove in Northland. Thereafter in 2019, Hoppers embarked on a joint venture with long-time associates Cabra Developments to begin construction on their fourth retirement offering, The Country Club located in the quaint west-Auckland country township of Huapai. The latest Hopper Living project to be announced is The Moorings Retirement Village, located in Whitianga Waterways, and similar to The Anchorage, will offer retirement options within a unique waterways setting.
From left to right: Andy Grey, Gray Hopper, Leigh Hopper, Shana Hopper-McCully, Tim Brooks
As for the Hopper family, Leigh has chosen to retire in Whitianga Waterways and enjoys much of his time boating and exploring the Coromandel East Coast. His two children Gray and Shana, alongside his nephew Andy who recently was appointed CEO at Hopper Developments, are collectively driving company activities. Hoppers continues to grow and remains in good hands with the next generation forging ahead.
Would you like to find out more?
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