Paddy Heath - Warehouse/Sales

       Patrick ‘Paddy’ Heath started working at Fosters Ship Chandlery in 1960 as a teenager. Today he is “almost” retired working part time in the warehouse after years of being warehouse manager.  Everyone in New Zealand who knows Fosters Shipchandlery, and thus Paddy, will confirm that he knows more about the New Zealand’s marine industry history and products than just about anyone else in the business today.
       Although he surely will stay involved with Fosters in some way, he will have to work out how to divide his time between his travels and work “downstairs” at Fosters. Currently, Paddy and his wife Lynn are planning their next adventure overseas.

Aaron Smith - Warehouse Sales

     I have been working for Harken/Fosters since the summer of 2006-2007 starting after my 5th form year as a holiday job. Since then I have worked most school holidays full or part time. I finished high school at the end of 2008 with the aim of going to Auckland University to study engineering. I was here all that summer to save enough money to get me through the first semester which started in March. Throughout the last year I have been able to work part time Thursdays and Fridays to cover Paddy’s (semi-retirement) gentleman’s hours.
       Currently, (November 2009) I have just finished my first general year of Engineering at Auckland Uni (so far so good) and managed to keep my grades relatively high with the hope of being accepted a Biomedical Engineering specialization (around 25 get accepted  in a class of 600). My sailing experience is limited to weekend sailing and some racing with my dad in his I.A. as well as some cruising and a voyage on the spirit of New Zealand but I have learnt a lot in my time here. My passion is for cycling, competing at an elite level until the end of last summer. With Uni taking the majority of my time leaving little for training, I have slipped into club level cycling. I hope to train this summer and organize my timetable to leave enough time to start cycling competitively again next year.

Mike Sharps - Warehouse / Sales

      Mike Sharps works in the warehouse in retail sales and is the first point of contact for customers visiting the warehouse.  His 1^st Christmas cruise was when he was just 6 months old. He sailed at Glendowie Boating Club as the youngest sailor ever at the time at 9 years old in the Optimist moving up through the ranks in the Opti, 8 years later he moved onto the Des Townson designed Starling until the end of the 08/09 season.     
       Mike caught the travel bug early and at 20 has already seen many parts of the world including Fiji, Vanuatu, Australia, USA, Mexico, England, Ireland, Dubai and Noumea. His love of sailing lead to getting on some form of boat while visiting these countries: Ships in the USA, Cats in Fiji and Opti racing in Noumea.

Craig Pippen - Warehouse Manager

Craig Pippen first went to sea at 6 weeks old & has never come back.
Craig has been boating almost all his life, his first boat trip on the family launch Wairiki, at the age of 6 weeks old. His grandfather was on the square riggers & rounded Cape Horn several times. After the usual “P” class & Moth sailing, Craig moved onto keelers, owning 5 over the years, from traditional to modern, racing & cruising. He has several offshore trips under his belt.
With a background in engineering & a passion for things nautical, Craig keeps the “main engine” at Fosters running smoothly.
 

Mike Simpson - Sales Representative

My name is Mike Simpson.
       I have been involved with 'Harken Fosters' for many years and for the last 20 as the company rep. Yachting has been a very big part of my life. Starting out in Wellington sailing out of Evans Bay, and during that time building one of Wellingtons early multihull yachts, which we sailed extensively on the New Zealand coast. While still living in Wellington with the help of my brother Athol, we built a 45ft Spencer design keel boat, which we raced and cruised to the Pacific Islands. I then got the opportunity to join Tom Clarks Buccaneer, sailing via Panama to race in the U.S.A and Europe, including a Trans Atlantic race finishing in Spain. 
     Back in New Zealand while working for Fosters and Salthouse boat builders we designed and built the first of our Montego Bay yachts, a 50ft sloop.  Before we managed launching Montego Bay II my wife Joanna, and I got the oppotunity to join Huey Longs 'maxi' Ondine IV, racing in the USA and Europe, plus being involved in a big refit of Ondine at Derecktors yard in Long Island Sound. We finally left Ondine when a French crew chartered the yacht for an attempt on the Trans Atlantic record. We came back to New Zealand to launch our Montego Bay II .
       After cruising the Pacific Islands and owning the boat for a couple of years, we sold to Doug Johnson, who raced in the Lautoka race, with great success.  Working in the building industry and Kelly Archer boatbuilders, we finished our Montego Bay III design and just after launching her, joined Fosters again as the company rep.  We enjoyed many summers with Montego BayIII cruising with our 2 children and boating friends.
       I still remember promising John Smith the previous rep and John Street, not to let them down, and stay for at least a couple of years. Now 20yrs later I am still here!  It must be a great firm to work for and very rewarding meeting the many marvellous characters in the boating industry. 

Garry Lock - Managing Director

       I was appointed by Harken Inc. to manage Harken New Zealand when John Street sold the Fosters Shipchandlery business to Harken Inc. in September 2006 having previously worked at Cookson Boats for 15 years in a Project Administration role involved with all aspects of purchasing, pricing, contract administration and client liaison.  During that time I had an involvement with Harken as a customer. Now as a supplier to boatyards my experience as a previous customer provides a good insight into how we can provide assistance to all of our customers. My educational background included receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from Auckland University in Geology and Chemistry and my early career began as a paint chemist. Following this, I worked in a number of roles for what was then the James Hardie Impey company.
       My interests revolve around sailing with the usual Kiwi upbringing at a young age in P Class. I have sailed a number of Dinghy classes including the OK Dinghy, Laser and Finn at National and World Championship level and I still sail a Laser in masters events. Highlights include OK Dinghy National and Interdominion Titles as well as National Masters Titles in the Finn and Laser.  I have also sailed keelboats in New Zealand Southern Cross Cup and Kenwood Cup winning teams; and I have competed in 6 Sydney Hobarts and 5 Kenwood Cups as well as numerous other events in Australia and Asia.
       I currently own a 43 year old iconic 37ft kauri planked keelboat "Namu" in partnership with Sue and race and cruise regularly in local events in and around the Hauraki Gulf.

George Clark - Commercial Manager

       George has sailed all his life, starting with his dad from when he was very young and got his first P Class at 12 years of age.  Since then he has owned numerous sailing Dinghys and two Townson Keel boats.  One called ”Nocturne” which was stripped back to the bare hull and over 14months was fully restored to better than original condition. (Something anyone only does once!)
       He is the fourth generation in his family to be involved in the marine industry in New Zealand.  George was Manager for Burnsco Marine, Stanley Street for 4 years, then with his wife, Judy, owned and ran Westpark Chandlery at Westpark Marina for 17 years. 
       After selling their business in September 2007, George joined Harken full time as the Commercial Manager at Harken New Zealand.  He has two sons, Nicholas 14 and Chad 11, who also have the sea in their blood.

Grant Blewett - Project/Technical Sales

       Grant Blewett came to Fosters in the early 1980’s. He joined the warehouse staff in retail sales and general warehouse duties. By 1990 Grant was working full time with the then new line of Harken and today Grant is in charge of Harken custom boat projects and technical support.
       Grant started sailing at 10 aboard his parent’s Hartley 21. In his 20’s he bought a moth and took up racing. Sailing a Cherub he was introduced to the thrill of trapeze ‘sailing on the edge’. His race history include; Sydney to Hobart race on a Lidgard 45 (Tower), a few Tasman crossings, Auckland to Fiji and Noumea races, and 20 years of the Coastal Classics Over the years Grant has sailed, I.A., M Class, Young 88, Young 11, Farr 38, Zepher, and National Champs with a good amount of success. When Grant is not working or sailing, he trains on his bicycle and has competed in the ‘K-2 ‘Around the Coromandel’ race, ‘Around Taupo Race’ and others

Sue Gifford- Administration

Hi, I’m Sue in Accounts, I answer your account queries i.e. ..Copy of an invoice, you got it.
That’s Me.
I have been with Harken NZ 3 years in Jan 2010, previously having worked in the marine industry in my family’s boat building business.  Locky and I own a yacht “NAMU” which we thoroughly enjoy racing and cruising with our best friend George (our little fluffy black dog) who also comes sailing with us
 

Melanie Stockwell - Imports