Stace Hopper tragically killed in an aircraft accident

by Paul Shanhan on 13 Mar 2010 Stace Hopper was tragically killed in an aircraft accident at Marsden Cove yesterday (March 12, 2010), Stace was the eldest son of Leigh and Gwen Hopper.

Hopper Developments Ltd is a well known New Zealand family owned land development company, perhaps best known for canal housing projects at Pauanui, Whitianga and Marsden Cove (Whangarei Harbour). He was raised in Orewa and attended local schools and consequently had a great network of friends on the Hibiscus Coast.

Stace began his career in the family business and was appointed Marsden Cove Project Manager about three years ago.

Clearly, he was being groomed to succeed his father at some point in the future. His project management role at Marsden Cove was all part of the grooming process.

He was a popular young man with a big zest for life which was borne out by his achievements in such things as the TARGA Rally series, jet ski stunts and performance car driving demonstrations at public motorsport events. His highly modified Subaru WRX was well known in those circles and he was carving quite a reputation.

Stace was raised in a family that has a long connection with aviation and proved to be a very capable pilot. As with his father and grandfather before him, Stace had become accustomed to commuting between the company’s North Shore headquarters at Orewa and its projects on the Coromandel Peninsula and Whangarei.

He was fortunate to have inherited his father’s natural 'feel' for machinery, aircraft and mechanical equipment which earned him respect as a skilled driver, pilot or heavy machinery operator. He also demonstrated he had the intellectual capacity for senior management.

On a personal level, Stace possessed an outgoing personality and was happy either poking fun or being on the receiving end of humour. Dressing up in costumes for parties or to entertain friends was all part of his persona. In some circumstances he could appear to be rather extrovert yet at other times quite humble.

At work, his practical approach which fitted well into the Hopper company’s 'can do' culture.

He will be greatly missed by family, colleagues and friends alike.

Sail-World extends our sincere condolences to the Hopper family, their staff and friends at this sad time. The Hoppers have made a tremendous contribution to New Zealand and the development of its marine coastal environment, using that great combination of Kiwi attributes - a good idea, good original engineering and plenty of hard work. It is a particular tragedy when some like Stace is killed having grown up with this legacy and family culture, and he will be sorely missed by all New Zealanders who love the marine environment.