Flooring First Taupo is locally owned and operated by Sandra and Gary Walker and part of New Zealand’s longest established national specialised flooring retailer.
With the biggest and best installation team in Taupo, we can comfortably handle all your specialised flooring requirements, backed up with the expert knowledge of our sales team.
From sheet vinyl to luxury vinyl planks, from synthetic cut piles to luxurious textured wool loop pile, from laminate to engineered hardwoods we have all your flooring options covered.
New Zealand’s Longest Established
Flooring First® is New Zealand’s longest established national specialist flooring retailer. This gives us some of the most experienced operators in the industry. So talk to us today about how we can help you, with over 25 stores all over the country there is a Flooring First® near you.
We’re a co-operative
Flooring First® was established in 1997 as a co-operative. This means that all of our member stores are locally owned and operated. The people you meet in our stores are locals, and take pride in providing a great service to local consumers, and take great pride in the finished quality of their work.
Residential to Commercial
We’re well known for supplying quality products, with great service to homes all over New Zealand. We can handle any project from your home, to your business, your sports club, school, or institution. Talk to us today about an obligation free quote and measure, we can do it all.
Our Brands
Flooring First® works with the market’s leading brands for all floor coverings and associated products, like underlays, and adhesives. Our brands are also directly supported with leading quality, and aftermarket sales and support. We want to make sure our clients are happy with their decision to buy from us for many years to come. So why wait? Come and see us today.
- Commitment
- Integrity
- Best Local Knowledge
- Best Price
Team Profiles
Owners
Gary Walker
Owners
Sandra Walker
Sales Consultant
Richard Saunders
Sales Consultant
Sam Bond
Sales Assistant
Jasmine Burns
Storeman
Aaron Porteous
Gary Walker
Owners
Married for 22 years, emigrating to New Zealand from Scotland in 2000 with our fur babies Brodie and Pepper. We purchased the business in July 2018 on returning to New Zealand after 10 years in Australia. With a senior management and customer focused background, we have plenty of experience managing high performing teams and have brought all this experience with us. We have been on a steep learning curve ever since, undertaking our diploma in Floor Planning & Design and really enjoy seeing all our efforts pay of when a customer tells us how delighted they are with their purchase. We are working hard to get out and about to enjoy everything Taupo has to offer.
In 2017 I had a mid-life crisis and decided to learn to ride a motorbike and now have a Kawasaki Vulcan S cruiser that Sandra says is my other mistress😊 In my spare time (what little I get) I enjoy riding my motorbike, spending time with Sandra and my 3 dogs, reading and sports.
Pet Peeve
Procrastinators. Make up your mind, get it done, move on. If it’s not right you can always change it. That’s my motto.
Little Known Fact
I used to play in an Accordion Band.
52
years young
24 years
I have been married to Sandra
10 years
We lived in Western Australia
3
dogs, Brodie (13), Pepper (13) and Fergus (still a pup)
166
My lucky number. I see it everywhere I go.
Sandra Walker
Owners
Married for 22 years, emigrating to New Zealand from Scotland in 2000 with our fur babies Brodie and Pepper. We purchased the business in July 2018 on returning to New Zealand after 10 years in Australia. With a senior management and customer focused background, we have plenty of experience managing high performing teams and have brought all this experience with us. We have been on a steep learning curve ever since, undertaking our diploma in Floor Planning & Design and really enjoy seeing all our efforts pay of when a customer tells us how delighted they are with their purchase. We are working hard to get out and about to enjoy everything Taupo has to offer.
When not working I enjoy spending time with my hubby and 3 dogs, I enjoy catching up with friends and in my spare time i am an avid reader and serial TV watcher. Currently I am researching ideas to landscape our new section in Kinloch so all of the home improvement and garden programs are getting a hammering.
Secret Talent
I have the ability to binge watch entire TV Series in a very short period of time.
Super Power
I have an encylopedic knowedge of 80s pop music and can often guess a song from a single beat.
3
Sibling (Two brothers) and (one sister)
31 Years
Gary and I have been together
2000
I emigrated from Glasgow to Nelson in December
3
different countries where I have lived.
21 years
I got engaged
Richard Saunders
Sales Consultant
Richard has over 18 years’ experience in the flooring industry and over 5 years with Flooring First.
He is our in-house expert for all things flooring. With a wealth of knowledge on carpet and hard flooring, Richard is our go to man when we have a complicated install. Richards hobbies include mountain biking, motor cycling and track days.
Most of my spare time is spent either mountain biking or riding motorcycles. If I am not out on my motorcycle, you will find my out on the MTB tracks either around Taupo or the Redwoods in Rotorua. I have riden all the local tracks at Craters & all the Taupo Great Lake Trails.
Passion
Mountain Biking
Guilty Pleasure
Gaming
3
Sibiling
1993
Moved to Taupo in
3
of my careers start with F - Food, Fuel & Flooring
48
years young
2
Broken bones so far!
3rd
Placed in Waikato Wrestling champs, 3 years running.
Sam Bond
Sales Consultant
With 6 years of installation experience and 3 years in sales, Sam brings all his enthusiasm, product knowledge and customer care to the team going above and beyond to meet his customers’ expectations.
His hobbies include trout fishing, golfing and motorbike racing. Soon to be married to Catherine with a young son Alfie.
When I’m not working I enjoy spending time with my partner Catherine and our 5-year-old son Alfie.
And when I get a few hours free I love playing golf. I don’t play as much as I would like to (who does?!) but it’s a great way for me to unwind and enjoy the great outdoors.
Secret Talent
Juggling
Guilty Pleasure
American Football
22
I moved to NZ solo
1
Number of children
13
Number of countries I have visited
1
Number of siblings (Sister)
4
Approximate number of coffees I drink per day
2-5
Years at Flooring First
Jasmine Burns
Sales Assistant
Sales Assistant, Assists with office administration, quantifying of plans, Social Media wizard and all-round really nice person.
In my spare time I enjoy catching up with good friends, spending time with family and entering Ladies fishing competitions when I get the chance.
Pet Sleeve
Slow drivers in a 100km zone.
You Should Know
I don’t buy Chocolate as I can eat a whole block in one day
2
Sisters
0
Planes been on
1
beautiful daughter
10
cars owned
100k
Smiles
Aaron Porteous
Storeman
Keeps us all in order, makes sure all goods are here in a timely fashion, keeps installers in check and keeps track of all deliveries from suppliers. Makes sure our business continues to run smoothly. Nice guy!
Outside of Flooring first I enjoy spending time with my family. This may involve taking a walk with my wife Tracey along with our dog Flo around the block most afternoons.
Saturday is taking my daugher Rebekah to netball and supporting her game.
Any spare time I have is doing some DIY around the house, it does help the sanity.
I do enjoy a good family holiday once in a while .
Pet Peeve
My pet peeve is that I like things to be kept in good order, if this is not the case it works its way under my skin. It gets so frustrating at times especially when things get untidy.
Obsession
Getting the monthly stocktake perfect
10 years
Operated our own motel
8 years
Worked as a teacher aide/ support staff
14 years old
Daughter
17 years
have lived in Taupo
8 months
Been a team member at Flooring First
4 year old
Hunteraway/ Kelpie X who’s always happy to see me after work
