About Us

• History
• Our Team
• Branch Network
• Fleet
• Other Divisions
• Employment

History

It all began in 1869 when an entrepreneurial 17-year old John Hooker began his business with a bullock and a cart transporting goods from the New Plymouth beach to the town centre.

In 1871 he bought his first two horses and an express wagon. John grew the business steadily – picking up his first shipping agency in 1883 for the Northern Steam Ship Company – and building his own offices in New Plymouth in 1890.

By 1914 the company had expanded to four express wagons and eight horses – and in 1916 the company bought its first truck. In fact it wasn’t until 1936 that the last horse was retired!

When John Hooker retired, he handed over the reins to his four sons, Fred, Gordon, Edgar and Royce – and the company became Hooker Brothers. Royce managed the company for forty years until his death in 1970 and in turn passed the reins to Don Hooker, a third generation family member.  

1972 saw the start of Hooker Removals in New Plymouth. This division has grown steadily to where it is now recognised as the leader in the industry for providing both domestic and international removals, and short and long-term furniture storage. By 1976, Hookers set up a heavy haulage division in Taranaki, as a response to the increasing demand for this type of service from both the oil and gas industry, and the “Think Big” projects in this region.

The deregulation of the transport industry in 1983 allowed Hookers to really spread their wings. Firstly, daily freight runs from New Plymouth to Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington were set up before expanding this service into other areas. In 1992, New Zealand Express in Wanganui was purchased, and in 1995, both Child Freighters in Palmerston North and South Pacific Linehaul Limited were purchased along with other smaller operators. By 1996 this expansion led to a depot being set up in Napier. In 2002 the general freight business of Schreiber Transport was purchased and incorporated into Hooker’s New Plymouth operation and in 2004 Bearsley Express of Napier was also purchased, providing Hookers with a strong eastern North Island base.

True to the entrepreneurial spirit of its founder, HOOKER PACIFIC is very proud of these achievements. With every improving technology and further regulation changes, who knows where this Company will be in another 140 years.