Meet the Team

At Groundcover Landscaping, our team share our passion for creating beautiful outdoor spaces and enjoy working with our clients to transform their landscapes.

Michelle & Graeme Hopkins
Michelle & Graeme Hopkins
Owners / Managing Directors

Graeme and Michelle are the dynamic duo behind Groundcover Landscaping.

Graeme brings a detail-oriented background to Groundcover Landscaping, enjoying outdoor activities in his free time.

Michelle brings perfectionism and graphic design expertise, focusing on business growth and indulging in yoga, nature, and researching the latest trends.

Paul Ayson
Paul Ayson
Estimator

Paul has been at Groundcover the longest, having started on the tools with Graeme, and now responsible for all landscaping quoting.  

Paul is a caring family man who lives by the life lesson “Give it a go, you might surprise yourself”.  

His proudest achievement is 5 surfs in a weekend (over the age of 45).  He is also very handy with a needle and thread.

Simon Mason
Simon Mason
Project Manager - Landscaping

Having started his time with Groundcover as a landscaping foreman, before transferring his skills to project management, Simon’s infectious laugh can be heard for miles.  

He brings extensive landscaping knowledge and camaraderie to the team and says that his previous role as a living statue was retired early – for the greater good.

Mike Johnson
Mike Johnson
Garden Maintenance Manager

As the Garden Maintenance Manager, Mike brings a wealth of experience, a green thumb, and a commitment to happiness to our team.

Among Mike's proudest achievements is earning a diploma in Landscape Design, Technology & Construction, reflecting his commitment to excellence and knowledge in his field.  Mike lives by the reassuring advice, "Be happy; tomorrow's another day." This positive outlook shapes his approach to both work and life.

Jan Thomson
Jan Thomson
Office Manager / Marketing Assistant

From running with the Commonwealth flame to boogie boarding down the Zambesi River in Africa, Jan lives by the mantra of “she believed she could, so she did”.  

She combines her love for creativity with a passion for efficiency, managing our social media and ensuring seamless day-to-day operations.

In her spare time, Jan is a master chef, a Warriors fan and keen distance walker.

Luke
Luke
Landscaping Foreman

Luke is more than just an awesome Landscaping Foreman; he's a meticulous planner with a knack for timekeeping; a homeowner with a keen sense of achievement, and a cat enthusiast who brings humour and an amazing work ethic to the Groundcover team.

Luke ensures precision and a touch of light-heartedness in all that we do.

Kieran
Kieran
Landscaping Foreman

From working in the fish section at a local supermarket, to shooting under 100 in a round of golf, Kieran is a quiet achiever who is excelling in his role of Landscaping Foreman.

He is respectful to his team and our clients and although his most unknown talent is saying the alphabet backwards, he is also a whizz at maths –useful with all the tricky paving cuts he is so clever at.

Broncen
Broncen
Landscaper

Broncen has come a long way from his earlier job of cleaning man-holes.  His commitment to hard work, family values and his ever-present smile make him a great person to be around.  

He is gaining good confidence in becoming a Foreman, something his precious wee son would be proud of.

Ben
Ben
Landscaper

Ben’s enthusiasm for outdoor work benefits our team and our clients.  

When he’s not landscaping Ben is a very skilled in Slam Poetry and enjoys fishing, boxing and skimboarding.  

Ben still lives by his mother’s life lesson of “be gentle, be loving and be kind”.

Jacob
Jacob
Landscaper

Jumping 16,500 ft out of a plane and floating down the Waikato River on an inflatable crocodile are just two of the many things Jacob enjoys outside of landscaping. He is also a master Crepe chef.  

Jacob believes “no rain, no flowers” which shows in his diligent work ethic and his dedication to getting the job done right, the first time.

Fawn
Fawn
Gardener

Fawn is more than just a landscape gardener, she's an artist, a keen chef and she has a black belt in martial arts.

Her journey from a Raglan chocolate shop to being awarded an exhibition at the Waikato Art Museum reflects her versatility, and creative prowess.

Bradley
Bradley
Gardener

Bradley is a quiet achiever, who’s worst critic is himself.  

His dedication and “go-the-extra mile” attitude make him an invaluable addition to our team.  Outside of work, Bradley is a keen Astro-photographer and has walked the Milford Track as well as had adventures blackwater rafting, caving, and orienteering.

His proudest achievement is photographing the Great Red Spot on Jupiter (a 359 year old cyclone!)

Quinn
Quinn
Gardener

Quinn is a talented gardener with a quiet, dedicated nature.  

His passion for football and Lemon & Paeroa memorabilia reflects his diverse interests outside of work.  

Quinn’s adventurous side led him to jump out of a plane, demonstrating his willingness to step outside his comfort zone.

Ricky
Ricky
Gardener

Ricky holds dear the invaluable lesson from his mother to "act with integrity and always do things with the end in mind." This principle guides his actions, both personally and professionally.  

His proudest achievement is his son, and he looks forward to teaching him about “strength and honour”, something that resonates with him in his own life.

Victor
Victor
Gardener

Victor is always bright and cheerful. He is a family man with a passion for music and freediving.

His love of gardening shows through in the pride he takes in his work and the awesome team environment he creates.

Aidan
Aidan
Gardener

After moving from Australia, where he once worked picking and planting pineapples in Queensland, Aidan has been settled in NZ for a while and is now a great addition to our team.

Aidan is passionate about gardening and is a keen All Blacks fan, inspired by the fact they never give up. He is a whizz at Archery and lives by his Mum's lesson of "always think twice and show respect".

Berrie
Berrie
Apprentice Landscaper

Berrie is a Border Terrier and comes to work almost everyday to provide some very valuable input and hang out with the team.  

When the depot gets too noisy she likes to go and spend 'quiet time' across the road at Hamilton Hounds.

Berrie is often getting stopped in the street for autographs as she is mistaken for “Colin from Accounts”.

Your path to a transformed outdoors

01

Book a free consultation

Book an onsite consultation to discuss your vision and show us your plans.

No plans? Don’t worry - we have a range of landscape designers we can recommend.

02

See the transformation

Watch your outdoor space come to life as our team transforms your design into your new reality.

03

Love your space

Once completed, it’s time to relax, enjoy and entertain in your newly transformed outdoor haven.