Retailer Feature | Saran — Hamills, Taupō

Tell us about Hamill's — how long have you been running the store and what does it mean to the Taupō community?

My wife and I have owned and operated Hamills Taupō for almost 10 years now. We love that we are able to offer hunters a place to shop that provides a fresh variety of gear that is not found elsewhere, with service from staff who actually hunt and fish. We personally handpick the brands and products that we stock in store and support a lot of smaller, locally run businesses that you won’t find in major retail chains. We are community based with 2 young children and get behind a lot of local events, as well as being actively involved in the NZDA. 

You're clearly a man who loves the outdoors — hunting, fishing, the lot. Did the store come from that passion or did the passion grow with the store?

Prior to owning Hamills, I would drive from Auckland on Friday after work (a good 5 hour stretch in traffic) to get my hunting and outdoors fix for the weekend. My favourite shop to visit on my way through Taupō was Mad Mikes Sports Emporium aka Hamills. So when we found the store up for sale on TradeMe just after our firstborn had arrived, it was like fate had decided our future for us. We packed up our Auckland house and left the bright lights and traffic behind – neither of us knowing the first thing about running a retail store!

So – the store came from my passion for the outdoors.. but the passion has also grown with the store.

Taupō is one of the great hunting and fishing regions in New Zealand. What makes it special to you — what do people not realise about it until they get here?

Taupō is the North Island’s centralised mecca for arguably the best trout fishing and easy, accessible public hunting access. People from all over the world travel here to experience true backcountry beauty.

Many people don’t realise just how many game animals are free range and able to be hunted/harvested – fins, fur and feathers. There is something for everyone. International travellers in particular are astounded to learn that all taxidermy in our store has been secured on public land and free range.

How long have you been stocking Swazi and what made you bring it in?

We’ve been proud stockists of Swazi for around 8 years. We’ve always been impressed with the quality of the gear and it’s durability. The garments have a refined simplicity – every detail has been thought about without it being over the top. We often find that customers who have purchased Swazi once will buy it again and again – there is a very loyal following.

Swazi have also always been a great company to work with. The customer service as a retailer is second to none and nothing is too hard for the team. We’ve been lucky to tour the warehouse in Levin and see the brand in action first hand, which only solidified our respect for the brand and the team. 

What's the piece that flies off your shelves — and what do your customers keep coming back for?

Everyday fleece clothing and gift ideas sell all day – fleece jumpers, caps and beanies. The fave would have to be The Hood in Tussock or Black, can’t go wrong!

If you had to pick one Swazi product you'd never go without in the field, what is it and why?

The Swazi Tahr is the OG and my personal first raincoat, which I still wear today. There are so many feature that I love – adjustable hood with wire in the brim, neoprene cuffs, high chest pockets and a soft, silent outer shell. It has great length and packs down very small.

Best hunt or fish you've ever had in the Taupō region — give us the story.

I look out the front door of the shop during our first week, and a beaten up late model Landcruiser is parked outside. Crack through the windscreen, a wingmirror hanging off.. and a rough as guts guy walks in, clothing in tatters. Says ‘gday mate – I need a leaving gift for an employee.’ By the time he left, he’d spent a thousand dollars. My jaw was hitting the floor. He asked me if I wanted to go for a pig hunt in the morning and we exchanged numbers.

I went home so excited and told my wife all about it – I’ve met the real deal, we’re off for a hunt tomorrow. Come midnight, I still hadn’t heard from him and I felt ripped off – what a try-hard. I’d packed and everything.

Ring ring… “hey horse, I’ll come pick you up at 5am” – and we were on. The Landcruiser came rolling down the cul-de-sac and woke up all the dogs in the neighbourhood. Doesn’t turn the truck off – just the V8 rumbling in the driveway. He’s on the phone, and he just gives me a nod to get in. As I climb in, cans and tractor parts fall out of the passenger side.

He’s on the phone the whole way down Napier-Taupo. F-this, bloody hell, F-that. I’m wondering what I’ve got myself in for.

We collar up the dogs and within the first hour we’ve got our first pig – a nice Sow. Phew.. the days over! I can go home safely. We rolled the pig down the hill and left it by the Napier-Taupo. We’d come back for it later.

So definitely not home time… we were just getting started. We got 3 pigs in the end. I was absolutely shattered and he’d barely broken a sweat. Covered in blood and guts, he was in his element.

On the way home, he was back on the phone. F-this, F-that. And I was struggling to keep my eyes open. We rolled in well after dark and he said “well, horse – I’ll see you in the morning again.”

I had to decline - I could barely walk to the front door.

My wife opened the door, super worried by this time. I was head to toe covered in blood and guts with a big smile on my face – it had been the best day ever.

We’re still mates to this day and hunt regularly – though I still can’t keep up with him.

Cheers, bro – the best welcome to a new town. It’s been this way ever since – meeting customers, sharing stories, and connecting with hundreds of salt-of-the-earth people. The hunting community is grass roots, honest and what you see is what you get. And with this guy, it was a beaten up late model Landcruiser (but to him, just a vehicle).

Visit Hamills Taupō:

109 Tongariro Street,

Taupō 3330

New Zealand