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A brief history of our Administration ...

 

Hikoi was founded in 2001 by Ron Edwards and Phil Walker. Their vision was to create a unique style of outdoor store with a point of difference from all the others which were either 'hard core outdoors' types offering mainly tramping or hiking style footwear or just general sports stores mixing the white shoes with the tramping boots.  They wanted their store's footwear and clothing ranges to be more than this and to have, amongst other things, definite lifestyle appeal. Using outdoor brands suitable for all types of walking, travel and day to day wear they set about creating the Hikoi boutique shopping experience.  They produced a unique product mix of high quality, fashionable, travel friendly brands in an easy to manage, understandable, friendly-sized store that set customer service and sound advice as top priority.

Hikoi Taupo opened its doors in 2001 and soon after came the next step on our journey.  Hikoi needed someone to become 'the face' of the store and this became possible when Brad Edwards became Hikoi's 3rd shareholder/director.  Brad ran the Taupo store for a spell then left shortly after to open our 2nd Hikoi store in Mt Maunganui. Today he operates the Hikoi Online storefront on a full time basis and coordinates all Hikoi promotion and marketing activity.

From day one a Hikoi Online shop had always been suggested and thankfully the domain name was secured early on. It wasn’t until the strategic-minded Dennis Allan overheard the debate between father and son over “should we, shouldn't we open an Online store” that things really got started. Dennis Allan became a shareholder/director of Hikoi Group Ltd in 2007 bringing to the table his expertise, commercial knowledge and strategic planning.

 

Soon after, Hikoi New Plymouth opened its doors and the new Hikoi Group Ltd was formed.  Here for the first time the Hikoi owners went into business with an independent operator (Nathan Pilato) and this was repeated in 2010 when the 2nd owner/operator (Craig Brain) joined and started up Hikoi Cambridge.

 

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Ron Edwards

 

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 Phil Walker

 

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Brad Edwards

 

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Dennis Allan

 

What's new at

Hikoi Head Office?

 

If you are visiting Taupo there are so many things you can do and most of them are out of doors. One thing you must do is walk the Tongariro crossing.It's a fantastic, inspiring hike over the great Mt Tongariro with breathtaking views of the Volcanic Plateau.

 

Here are some other activities you might like to try when you are in Taupo. Remember you are going to need to be prepared. Hikoi Taupo has everything you need and all the advice too.

Here are just some of the many activities you can do in Taupo. Trout fishing, jet boating, white water rafting, kayaking, skydiving, golf, mountain biking, skiing and snowboarding, hunting, guided walks, and many other walks, hikes and tramps..

 

(07) 378 6693

 

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Beautiful Lake Taupo home to Hikoi Head Office

A brief history of our Administration continued...

That’s where the journey has taken us to date and so now you know the Hikoi team a little better... but wait, we haven’t mentioned everyone yet! Who do you think guides us over our paper trails, pays our staff wages and holds our calls? Of course it’s with a woman’s touch! The Hikoi Team is very lucky to have one great office administrator Yfke Beetsma who now knows as much about Hikoi as we do, possibly more!
She is the friendly voice you hear over the phone when you call the office. She is the central source of information and is more than happy to help anyone with anything.


If you would like to contact our Head Office you can email Ron or Yfke at taupo@hikoi.co.nz or call them Monday to Friday on (07) 378 6693

Our extensive online footwear range includes shoes, boots and sandals from popular brands such as Merrell, Teva, Keen, Ecco, Timberland, Salomon, UGG, Ahnu, Birkenstock, Emu, Hi Tec, and Patagonia. Our clothing brands feature NZ made chalkydigits, Marmot, Silkbody, Smartwool and Therma-dry and we also stock a good range of travel packs, bags and accessories.

 

Hikoi Administration

 

Getting to know us better ...


We asked our Hikoi staff some questions about themselves, here's what they had to say

 

Ron Edwards
Director Hikoi Group Ltd

Nickname? Fat Boy or Kaumatua. Take your pick!
How long have you been part of Hikoi? Original founding director along with Phil Walker in 2001
Where are you from originally? Wangavegas
What is your favourite pastime? Playing golf, walking, the outdoors and spending time with family
What is your favourite spot in New Zealand? Lake Taupo my home
What is the best country you travelled to? France, Spain, Portugal
What is your favourite quote? Or someone you admire?  I admire anyone who has a go
What's your favourite Hikoi brand and why? Merrell, Keen, Smartwool – They produce outdoors fashion gear that goes with anything
What's the one thing you would always take with you on a Hikoi? Smartwool Socks, Marmot Gravity Jacket

 

 

 

Phil Walker
Hikoi Taupo Store Owner/Operator and Director Hikoi Group Ltd


Nickname? Piripi
How long have you been a part of Hikoi? Since opening, so 10 years!
Where are you from originally? Mighty Northland
What is your favourite pastime? Playing with family, travelling and sports
What is your favourite spot in NZ? Lake Taupo
What is the best country you have travelled to? Italy for the history, and Ireland for the people.
What is your favourite quote or someone you admire? My parents, they gave up so much for their kids
What is you favourite Hikoi brand and why? Merrell because they are so comfy!
What's the one thing you would always take with you on a Hikoi? Comfy footwear and a great attitude

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brad Edwards
Hikoi Online Sales and Enquiries and Director Hikoi Group Ltd

Nickname? Darb, Bradders, B-Rad
How long have you been part of Hikoi? I became a Director of the Hikoi Group Ltd in 2002, and ran Hikoi Taupo for a spell before opening our second store Hikoi Mt Maunganui. I managed this store for a number of years before working full time at Hikoi Online
Where are you from originally? Taupo is my park and where I call home
What is your favourite pastime? I love all sports but particularly playing golf and cricket. Walking, hiking and tramping I love too because you can do it anywhere and it's free! The Tongariro Crossing is awesome!
What is your favourite spot in NZ? While I adore the Bay of Plenty (it's so warm) I’m going to say Taupo. It is so beautiful and there is so much to do especially if you love the outdoors
What is the best country you have traveled to? France bien sur!
What is your favourite quote or someone you admire? 'Nothing will come of nothing' (William Shakespeare) or 'we're not here to shag spiders'
What's your favourite Hikoi brand and why? In footwear I am a newly converted Birkenstock follower. They are the best men’s slip on shoes you’ll find.  In the clothing brands I like Smartwool
What's the one thing you would always take with you on a Hikoi? If it was an intrepid journey my Smartwool socks and Marmot waterproof jacket but if it wasn't intrepid, my golf clubs..

 

 

Dennis Allan
Director Hikoi Group Ltd

Nickname? DA
How long have you been part of Hikoi? My role at Hikoi started in 2007 as an independent company director. I took up an option to buy into the company and become an owner/director and since then have seen the opening of the Online store and new outlets at New Plymouth and Cambridge
Where are you from originally? I was born in Gisborne and have shifted around most of NZ in the construction and electricity production industry. I have been in Taupo since 1992 and self employed as a professional company director and business consultant since 2000
What is your favourite pastime? Goes without saying that golf is at the top of the list, but I am also interested in most other sports, gardening, gym, travel and music
What is your favourite spot in New Zealand? The big smoke, Auckland (because that is where my grand-children live) although Ohope and several other beach locations are not far behind
What is the best country you travelled to? I have spent quite a lot of time in Sweden which is magnificient in the summer but certainly not the place to be in the short daylight hours of winter
What is your favourite quote? Or someone you admire? My favourite quote comes from a singer that I admire very much, Kris Kristofferson: "I'd rather be sorry for something I had done than for something I didn't do"
What's your favourite Hikoi brand and why? Merrell, for absolute quality, style and workmanship!
What's the one thing you would always take with you on a Hikoi? Common sense