Meet the IDEAL CARS team!

Shayne O'Hagan - Owner & Managing Director

Shayne O'Hagan Owner & Managing Director of Ideal Cars. I am originally from Havelock North in Hawkes Bay and have been living in Hamilton since 1979. I attended Waikato University to study a Bachelor of Management Studies, and then trained as an Accountant working 5 years in a Chartered Accountancy practice, and two years at merchant banks in London.

I have always had a passion for cars but I didn't start selling them until 1986 where I worked for Dallas Mitsubishi in Hamilton before moving on to North City Motor Co in 1987. Here I began importing used cars from Japan for this company before leaving and importing vehicles to wholesale to other dealers. In 1994 I became a part owner in Ideal Cars and purchased the balance of the business in 1997.

I have been with Ideal Cars for 15 years now and my role as Managing Director involves attending to the day to day running of the business, purchasing of vehicles in NZ and Japan including travelling to Japan. The most enjoyable part of my job is seeing people satisfying their needs and enjoying their car buying experience. I enjoy meeting new people and building ongoing relationships with our clients.

I have an ongoing interest in motor sport, especially rallying and circuit racing. I have previously been involved in circuit racing and rallying both as a driver and navigator. I have navigated for front runners in the National championship and International rally of New Zealand as well as the Targa rally. I also enjoy fishing, cooking and creating new recipes.

I have a son and daughter, both lovely of course, and enjoy spending time with them, boating, school camps and sports. I have a relaxed personality, although I like to be accurate and precise, and do jobs properly. I like to enjoy what I am doing, be enthusiastic and have an overall positive view of situations. Honesty and following through with promises is important to me.

Daniel Haines - Sales Representative

I was originally born and bred in the Hawkes Bay and have been in the car Industry since 2003, where I started washing cars at Bayswater Vehicles the Subaru and Hyundai Franchise dealer at the age of 20. I worked there for 2 1/2 years, before being offered a managers position for Car Barn in Hastings. I spent 2 years working there and after doing business with Shayne at Ideal Cars decided to make the move to the Waikato. I have been here since March 2007 and am still loving working with the team at Ideal Cars.

I have a passion for cars and like to help people get their dream car. We sell a lot of Japanese Performance cars which are great value for money. I also enjoy meeting people and helping them to find a vehicle that meets there requirements. We have fun at work and try to make the car buying process as easy and enjoyable as possible.

Interests at the top of my list would have to be cars. My spare time is spent either working on them, using my Subaru WRX Rally car, or going to motor sport events on my weekends off. Also in my spare time I enjoy working on the Car Club Website and try to get out to Raglan for a surf or a wake board on the Waikato River. What ever it is I do I always like to be doing something that involves speed or adrenalin. I enjoy spending time with family of which some are in the Waikato and the rest are in the Hawkes Bay.

I pride my self on doing everything to the best of my abilities. I like to work hard and play harder. I like to think that people in the office see me as being hardworking, passionate, dedicated, trust worthy and wiser than my age as well as fun to work with.

Peter Woodham - Vehicle Detailer

Born and bred in New Plymouth, Peter has lived in the Waikato for the past 41 years. Originally a client of Ideal Cars, Peter enjoyed the experience so much he joined the Ideal Cars team. He takes pride in his workmanship, spending his day detailing and putting the final touches to our vehicles on the yard.

Peter has been trained as an applicator of the GardX paint and fabric protection systems, as well as Protouch paint chip and scratch repairs. These services are available to all our clients and are proven to help retain the resale value of your vehicle.

Peter enjoys a friendly chat and is often heard to be saying "working here is just like going to the gym!". Outside of work Peter enjoys relaxing at the beach, cooking a delicious meal, and supporting favourite rugby teams.