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| Hi, and Welcome to The Kopu Station Hotel Web Site. My career in the hospitality industry started way back in 1993 when I was employed part time in the bar at the Kahukura Sports and Rugby Club in Rotorua. A few years later, my parents Chris and Barbara purchased the infamous Huntly Hotel. So the family packed up and moved on to the mighty Waikato. Two years in Huntly was one "hell of an experience" as you can imagine, but proved to be a very successful venture. I soon found myself on the move again with my partner. We left the rest of family behind and it was off to manage a little country pub in central Hawkes Bay, The Sanford Arms Tavern in Onga Onga. As a boy growing up I spent a lot of time in the car outside this pub waiting for Mum and Dad with a glass of raspberry and a bag of chippies. So it was no coincidence that we ended up managing the Onga Onga pub, it was in my blood and at the tender age of 23, it was said we were the youngest publicans in the country at the time. Time for a change, a break from the pub trade was on the cards and so we moved back to the Waikato. I ventured into the building industry securing a position as a carpenter for Foster Construction. I lasted 3 years before I got itchy feet. My father was running the Leigh Hotel at the time but was needed back at another pub, the Waikere Hotel in Putorino. So I was of again but this time on my own. Leigh was a small quiet fishing community north of Warkworth, where the old locals appreciated the peaceful tranquillity Leigh had to offer. And then along came me! Targeting the younger generation I introduced live bands (including Emanon, a now familiar name in Kopu) and endless nights with the jukebox cranking. However this attracted a lot of unwanted attention with regular complaints and visits from noise control. Two years later it was the end of the road for Leigh Hotel, the lease was up so there I was packing for another move. Coromandel here I come. My parents had recently purchased The Kopu Station Hotel so I was off to make my mark in Thames. The Kopu was going to be a whole new challenge for me as I was given the opportunity to spread my wings and take this traditional country pub to another level. Three years later, now famous for our Beer Festivals, and annual festivals, “Rock 2 Kopu” plus loads of other events including the greatest pig hunting comp on the peninsula. It was time to make one of the biggest decisions of my life. Now I am the proud owner of The Kopu Station Hotel. |
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