Ian Hopper Passes Away.

The death of Ian Hopper, one of the founders of the Pauanui and Whtianga Waterways developments and a champion of the Coromandel, is a huge loss to the District.

Mr Hopper passed away this week aged 86.

"Ian's passion for the Coromandel saw him involved in both philanthropic and economic projects within the District for almost 60 years," says Mayor Glenn Leach. "He leaves an indelible mark on the Coromandel, particularly in shaping Pauanui into the unique and special place it is today."

Back in 1967 Ian, along with his brothers Tony, Ian, Guy and Bill formed the Pauanui Ocean Beach Resort Limited (POBR) and purchased the first block of 256 acres of land from the Needham Family.

Over the next five decades they realised their dreams of transforming the undeveloped sand spit into a thriving beach township, including an airstrip, shopping centre, country club, golf club and tennis courts. Ian and son Leigh went onto creating the first canal housing development in New Zealand known as the iconic Pauanui Waterways,

"Ian was visionary," says Mayor Leach. "He was behind the very first boardwalks to be built around Pauanui and had the long-term dream of building a cycleway and walkway along the Tairua estuary to connect Pauanui and Tairua".

"That dream is slowly being realised with the latest section of the Pauanui-Tairua Track officially opening at the end of last year and is also testament to our overall vision of our Great Walks Project, which aims to connect towns and villages throughout the Coromandel through walkways," says the Mayor.

"Ian was a trailblazer, the first to put his hand up to help the community and the last of an era, top- bloke," says Mayor Leach. "We thank him for the contributions he made, we remember him for his achievements and we're fortunate to have had Ian as a valuable and much respected member of our Coromandel community."

The Council, along with Tairua-Pauanui Community Board extend its condolences to Ian's family.

ends

© Scoop Media