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PAUANUI - A vision Achieved
This fantastic publication encapsulates 40 years of the development of Pauanui, by the Hopper Brothers, from a tree-covered sandspit to the thriving beach resort community of today. The book will retail for $50 until the end of the year and copies will be available from the Community Library - open each morning, Monday to Saturday. In the new year it will retail at $59.95 (+$10 P&P) so get in early to get the discounted price.
It has been compiled by the Pauanui Historical Charitable Trust, Tony Hopper, Ian Hopper and Joan Parker and proceeds will go to the Community Library.
With 496 pages of photographs, history, stories and background information this book will make a great Christmas present for anyone interested in Pauanui.
The timeline below gives a brief history of the development and growth of Pauanui. If you have any information, especially images, that you would like to contribute to this page please contact us we would love to hear from you.
Around the turn of the century there were only a few people living and farming in Pauanui (the Oxley family). At that time the only access to the area was by boat. They and subsequent people lived around the waterways, the access road area and on the lower slopes of Mt Pauanui (the Holland Block). The Needham family had a bach on the harbour side, around about Pleasant Place but the Pauanui peninsula itself was not used for farming. |
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| 1950’s 1960’s 1970’s 1980’s 1990’s 2000’s |
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1950’s |
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| 1950’s |
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| The area saw little development because of limited access until the late 1960’s when construction of State Highway 25A brought Pauanui and the wider Coromandel to within reasonable driving distance of the Waikato and Auckland. |
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1960’s |
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| 1 9 6 7 |
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The Hopper brothers formed a company called Pauanui Ocean Beach Resort Limited (POBR) and purchased the first block of 256 acres of land from the Needham Family. At that time the Hoppers were already involved in land development in the Whangaparaoa area north of Auckland. Securing such a large, undeveloped area of land provided the Hoppers with the ideal opportunity to ‘master-plan’ a new township.
The airstrip was created to assist with access and section planning.
They began to work with town planner Frank Easdale who had similar ideas around town planning and over the next two years built the first stage of Pauanui with a focus on achieving a family friendly development.
Features included underground power, dual carriageway roads with central islands, a reticulated sewage system, large generous areas of public space and reserve areas including four tennis courts and the Kennedy Park cricket oval.
Many of the design components of the original development were the first of their kind in New Zealand and Pauanui has often been positioned as a benchmark for quality residential development.
The first roads were named after local councillors, later ones after old gold mines and all roads were paved in red seal that allowed pedestrians to be more visible and therefore safer.
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| 1 9 6 8 |
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| POBR produced the first sales brochure and sold the first sections (53 in two weeks) along Dunlop drive and McCall Avenue. Prices ranged from $2,000 to prime beachfront properties selling for $6,000. |
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| 1 9 6 9 |
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| POBR purchased an additional 136 acres extending out as far as Beach Road. |
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1970’s |
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| 1 9 7 1 |
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| A sports day incorporating Miss Pauanui was started by the Hopper family in 1971. Summer activities became a popular annual attraction including the Family Fun Day. Later, with help and sponsorship, came the Pauanui King of the Mountain, Triathlons, and many other water and beach based activities. |
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| 1 9 7 2 |
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| The Pauanui Club was formed with the land and buildings donated by POBR in exchange for prepaid memberships to the Club which, were offered to purchasers of new sections. Construction started in 1973. |
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| 1 9 7 5 |
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| The Putt n Putt mini golf was built by POBR. |
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| 1 9 7 8 |
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Ten years on from the first sales, sections were now selling for $11,000 in Sheppard Ave and up to $45,000 in Brodie Lane.
The Pauanui Pines golf club land was gifted to the Pauanui Club and the Airstrip handed over to the Thames District Council by the developers.
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1980’s |
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| 1 9 8 0 |
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| The Pauanui Community Church was built and an opening and dedication was held on October 26. The building incorporates a magnificent stained glass window depicting flora, fauna and local history donated by Mrs Edith Hopper. |
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| 1 9 8 4 |
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The first ferry trips started between Pauanui and Tairua.
The Lakes Golf course was developed and opened for players.
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| 1 9 8 7 |
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| The Puka Park resort was built as a premium hotel getaway. Nestled among native bush, guests have nature right at their doorstep. |
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| 1 9 8 8 |
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| One of the most notorious storms to hit New Zealand in recent decades, Cyclone Bola caused extensive damage to properties including the uprooting of many large pine trees that needed to be removed. |
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1990’s |
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| 1 9 9 0 |
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| Hopper Developments purchased Land that was to become the Waterways at auction. |
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| 1 9 9 2 |
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| Works began on the Waterways. |
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| 1 9 9 3 |
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| The first stage of the Waterways was officially opened and sales of waterways sections began. |
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| 1 9 9 5 |
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| The first New Years Eve Fireworks Display was held at Royal Billy Point. This display has become a popular annual event. |
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| 1 9 9 6 |
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| The new shopping centre was built. The new location was considered to be more central as the development of Pauanui expanded south including the Waterways. |
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2000’s |
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| 2 0 0 0 |
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| The Pauanui Sports and Recreation Club builds the Sheppard Ave Skateboard Bowl. |
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| 2 0 0 4 |
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| The Oceanair subdivision is completed on what was the old Airtels Motor Camp. |
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| 2 0 0 5 |
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| A once in a hundred year storm washes out the old culvert, cutting off access along Hikuai Settlement Road. One month later another major storm washes out the temporary culvert resulting in Pauanui visitors and residents being isolated for 48 hours. |
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| 2 0 0 6 |
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Slopes on southern side of access road are subdivided.
The Club builds a basketball half court with poles, backboards and hoops adjacent to the Skate Park. |
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| TODAY |
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| Pauanui comprises a mixed population of permanent residents and holidaymakers. The number of dwellings is approximately 2050 and the permanent population is appoximately 800. During the busy Christmas and New Year period the population grows to around 12,000. |
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| 1950’s 1960’s 1970’s 1980’s 1990’s 2000’s |
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