Celebrating 50 Years of a Local Legacy

From humble beginnings to well-known Waikato entrepreneurs, Joe & Ali Van Dyk were Dutch immigrants who made the Waikato their home.

Putaruru during the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s developed into a thriving hub for the South Waikato, with prominent farming/forestry industries supporting local businesses, and families moving into the region with prospects of jobs, growth, and opportunities. Joe & Ali were able to join the community, moving where the work was, before settling in Putaruru.

The Van Dyks family opened a 7-day dairy/grocery- working hard to establish themselves in their new surrounds. Presented with challenges and opportunities, their business ventures grew, adapted, and changed with the times, to what’s now known as Van Dyks Furnishers, encompassing beds, flooring, furniture, appliances, and bikes.

With a focus on offering what their local community needed, the Van Dyks acquired Rex Mora Furnishers in Putaruru taking over on 1^st April 1974. Henry Van Dyk, the oldest son of Ali and Joe joined the ranks and helped run the business alongside his parents. Increasing their store size, the Van Dyks were able to offer their customers a much larger selection of products.

Henry's brothers John and Leighton joined the growing family business between 1976 and 1977. John brought his expertise to the curtains division and administration, while Leighton thrived in the furniture and bedding departments.

The Van Dyks have always been a family that embraces progress. Recognizing the changing retail landscape and the rise of new technologies, they became one of the first businesses in New Zealand to operate mobile curtain and flooring vans in the 1980s.

This commitment to innovation ensured they remained at the forefront of providing convenient and personalised service right to your door. The vans stocked with curtain and flooring samples, operated all around South Waikato bringing choice to customers in the comfort of their own homes.

In 1985 Joe & Ali retired. Sons Henry, John, and Leighton purchased Van Dyks Furnishers. The brothers saw an opportunity in 1989, after 18-months of renovating, to open a state-of-the-art furnishings showroom on Main Street, Putaruru. This is where Van Dyks still stands today.

In 1990, Van Dyks recognized an opportunity to expand its offerings. As Ian Rolls, a beloved local appliance store, transitioned out of business, Van Dyks welcomed the chance to bring a wider range of appliances to Putaruru.

Building on this momentum, Van Dyks proudly celebrated the grand opening of its dedicated furniture store in 1998. The grand opening, inaugurated by the then Mayor of Putaruru, Gordon Blake, was a momentous occasion, solidified with positive feedback from their loyal community.

For the first time ever, in 1996 Van Dyks expanded outside their beloved Waikato region, to Rotorua, bringing a wider selection of designer furnishings to Bay of Plenty residents.

The year was 2011, and Van Dyks saw an exciting opportunity to joined forces with BedsRus, a company that shared their passion for providing exceptional customer service and quality sleep solutions. This collaboration brought together two industry leaders, creating a powerful presence in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty communities.

Since joining the BedsRus family, Van Dyks has continued to invest in the latest bed-matching technologies. With seven established locations across Waikato and Bay of Plenty, and an eighth on the horizon in 2024, they continue to offer their customers a personalised sleep experience, ensuring they find the perfect bed for their needs.

At Van Dyks, a strong sense of community extends beyond their stores. Loyal staff, some with over 20 years of service, are a testament to the company's positive work culture. These long-standing relationships foster a family-like environment, reflecting the Van Dyk values.

As a proud Kiwi-grown business, they been a pillar of Putaruru and the Waikato region for 50 years. The Van Dyk family, along with their dedicated staff, are deeply committed to giving back to the community that has supported them. Their countless sponsorships of local schools, rugby, squash, netball clubs, and The Rangiura Retirement Home showcase their passion for seeing the region thrive. Volunteering thousands of hours to local groups and charities demonstrates their commitment to making a real difference.

Looking ahead, Van Dyks is excited to continue this journey of growth alongside their community. In several weeks they will celebrate and unveil the new Hamilton Flooring Xtra on Clarence Street. Additionally, a brand-new Van Dyks Living experience, combining BedsRus and Flooring Xtra under one roof, will also be unveiled in Matamata later this year. This mega-shopping destination will provide a one-stop shop for everything you need to transform your house into a beautiful home.

For five decades, Van Dyks Furnishers has been a local family business at the heart of the Waikato community, celebrating their golden anniversary for this local legacy now and for many generations to come.