The Hopper family story on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula begins in 1920, when Ken and Edith Hopper arrived in New Zealand from Yorkshire with little more than determination and a dream of farming. After settling in Auckland, they made Whangaparaoa their home in 1927, drawn by the promise of land and opportunity.
Hard work quickly defined the family’s path. Ken and Edith purchased the Arkles Bay Country Store and Post Office, diversified into dairy farming, pine forestry, and pumpkin growing (even supplying the US Navy during World War II), and gradually turned their attention to property development. Along the way, they raised six children - Barbara, Tony, Ian, Guy, Bill, and Trish - laying the foundations of a true family enterprise.
In the early 1950s, brothers Tony and Ian Hopper formed their own development company, starting locally before embarking on an ambitious vision: transforming Pauanui into a premier holiday destination. The launch of the Pauanui Beach Resort Development in 1967 marked a turning point. Working closely with planner Frank Easedale, the brothers earned industry recognition and, more importantly, discovered their strength in creating places defined by lifestyle and community.
A new chapter opened in 1987 when Ian’s son, Leigh Hopper, took the reins. Returning to the Hibiscus Coast, Leigh developed what is now Maygrove and Lakeside Drive in Orewa, before bringing to life the pioneering Pauanui Waterways in the early 1990s—New Zealand’s first canal-style waterfront community. The concept redefined coastal living, offering residents safe, direct access to the water for boating, swimming, and recreation.
Leigh carried this vision further, launching the expansive Whitianga Waterways in 1999, followed by Marsden Cove in Northland in 2002. Each project reinforced a core philosophy: thoughtfully planned coastal communities where lifestyle comes first.
Over the past two decades, Hopper Developments has continued to evolve - expanding into retirement living, marine infrastructure, commercial and retail projects - while staying firmly anchored to family values.
Today, the legacy continues with Leigh’s children, Gray and Shana, alongside his nephew Andy, appointed CEO in 2022, guiding the business from Northland to the Coromandel. With its head office still on the Hibiscus Coast in Orewa, Hopper Developments remains a family-led company - shaped by its past and confidently building for the generations to come.
