New Zealander of the Year Awards

With the knowledge and experience gleaned from his involvement in the Australian of the Year Awards, Hopp arrived at Auckland Airport in December 2008 with his brief case and the idea of establishing a similar program in New Zealand.

The awards would recognise excellence in five categories, the Young New Zealander of the Year, the Senior New Zealander of the Year, the Community of the Year, the Local Heroes and the ultimate accolade, the New Zealander of the Year.

Together with media partners Fairfax, the Radio Network and Prime Television NZ and major sponsors for each category, Mitre 10, Coca Cola, Metlifecare and naming rights sponsor, Kiwi Bank, the program was launched by April 2009.

The high profile program which unites New Zealanders in a national celebration, is well established with an honours list including Sir Stephen Tindall, Dame Anne Salmond, Sir Richard Taylor and Sir Paul Callaghan and Richie McCaw.

With the program fully established, Hopp sold the business in 2014.