COMPANY 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!
Unfortunately, the wooden offices were destroyed by fire in 1927, but the following year a
two-storey concrete structure was built in its place – and still stands today.

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 who had big expansion plans.

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 our New Plymouth operation and in
2004 Bearsley Express of Napier was also purchased, providing us with a strong eastern
North Island base.

Now in a strong position and operating throughout the country as well as internationally, the
company was re-branded in 1996 to HOOKER PACIFIC and continued to expand and
consolidate its operation.

By 2006, HOOKERS - as the company is still affectionately known - has a large force of
experienced transport staff and drivers - and a modern fleet of road transport equipment which can
carry just about anything to anywhere.

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 135 years.