The Principal Pools Story

Growing Up Around The Pool

On Edward’s side, there was always a pool in the backyard. Summers meant jumping in after school, long weekends with family around the BBQ, and friends dropping by for a swim. It was where birthdays were celebrated, where kids learnt to swim, and where countless family memories were made.

For Gabby, it was much the same. Growing up in Epsom during the 1970s, her parents were the first in the street to install a swimming pool. Before long, it became the neighbourhood meeting place. On summer afternoons there would often be a dozen children swimming, laughing and spending hours in the water together. Later it was the Coatesville Community Pool, with its Friday afternoons, school holidays, the familiar smell of sunscreen and chlorine, and the simple joy of being in the water with her children, family and friends.

The Pool was Never Really the Point

Looking back, we realise the pools themselves were never the important part. They were simply where life happened. They were where families came together, friendships were built, children grew in confidence, and memories were created that have lasted a lifetime.

Watching the Next Generation

Today, not much has changed.

Edward and Gabby have watched their own children grow up around pools, and now they have the privilege of watching their grandchildren take their first swimming lessons and feel that same excitement. Seeing the next generation enjoy the water reminds us just how special those moments are.

It’s one of the reasons we love what we do.

Every family we work with is beginning their own story. Whether it’s children learning to swim, teenagers spending endless summer afternoons with friends, or grandparents watching the next generation enjoy the backyard, a swimming pool becomes much more than somewhere to cool off.

It becomes the heart of the home.

Why we Founded Principal Pools

That’s why they founded Principal Pools.

Their goal has never been simply to install swimming pools. Their goal is to help Auckland families create spaces where they can slow down, spend time together and make memories that will last a lifetime. It is also why we take so much care over the fibreglass pools we design and install for families right across the city.

Why we Partner with Leisure Pools

When the time came to choose the brand they wanted to represent, they knew they wanted a partner that shared those same values. They wanted to offer Auckland families a product they could stand behind with complete confidence, one that reflected the quality, innovation and long-term durability they would choose for their own family.

That is why they are proud to partner with Leisure Pools, one of the most trusted pool manufacturers in the world.

Principal Pools believes every family deserves a pool built to the highest standards, backed by a trusted international brand and installed by a team that genuinely cares about the outcome. It is also why every pool we install is covered by the best warranty in New Zealand. By combining the world-class quality of Leisure Pools with the personalised service and local expertise of Principal Pools, we give Auckland families the very best of both.

"Because at the end of the day, we aren't just building swimming pools. We're creating places where families come together, where childhood memories are made, and where future generations will one day tell stories of summers spent in their own backyard."

Principal Pools Team Member Ashley Harsveld

Ash Harsveld

Principal Pools (Son)

Why Auckland Families Are Switching to Fibreglass Pools

Like a lot of Auckland families, we went through the concrete pool era. And look, if you’ve owned one, you know. The chemical bills. The constant monitoring. The resurfacing costs that seem to come around just when you’ve forgotten about them. The rough surfaces. The maintenance schedule that starts to feel like a part-time job.

We loved our pool, but maintaining it was a grind.

When fibreglass started taking off, we paid attention. Fibreglass isn’t new technology. It’s been used in boats, aerospace, performance vehicles, and high-stress engineering applications for decades because of one simple truth: it’s strong, it’s flexible, and it lasts. A material trusted to keep boats watertight in open ocean is more than capable of holding your pool water in a controlled backyard environment.

The difference in day-to-day ownership was night and day. Less chemicals. Easier cleaning. No resurfacing. A smooth, non-porous gelcoat surface that simply doesn’t give algae anywhere to grip. For a busy Auckland family that actually wants to use their pool rather than maintain it, there was no contest.

We were convinced. Then Leisure Pools called.

Why We’re the Right Choice

Choosing a pool is a big decision, and we know the worries that come with it—unexpected costs, overwhelming options, and the stress of getting it right. We understand these concerns and are here to make the process smooth and transparent. From the first consultation to the final installation, we’re committed to guiding you every step of the way, ensuring no surprises and a backyard that exceeds your expectations.

Expert Guidance

Trusted advice always

Total Transparency

Every step explained

Stress-Free Process

We handle it all

No Hidden Costs

Clear, upfront quotes

Best Warranty Available in New Zealand

Auckland's Exclusive Leisure Pools Dealer

When Leisure Pools approached us about taking on the exclusive Auckland dealership, it wasn’t a difficult decision.

Leisure Pools started in 2000 in a small warehouse in Yatala, Australia. What began as a passion project has grown into one of the world’s largest fibreglass pool manufacturers, with 130,000+ pools installed across 23 countries through a network of 500+ independent dealers. They didn’t get there by cutting corners. They got there by building a genuinely better product and backing it with a warranty that no one else in the industry comes close to matching.

In New Zealand, the best structural warranty you’ll find on most pools is around 15 years. Leisure Pools offers a 35 year Lifetime Structural Warranty and a 35 year Lifetime Structural Osmosis Warranty on every pool they make. That’s not a typo. Thirty-five years, on both the structure and against osmosis, backed by their patented Composite Armour technology and full Vinyl Ester Resin construction throughout every single layer of the shell.

Osmosis is something a lot of pool companies don’t like talking about. It’s the bubbling and blistering that can occur when groundwater works its way through cheap polyester resin layers, building pressure inside the shell over time. Leisure Pools use Vinyl Ester Resin throughout the entire construction process, not just as a single protective layer over cheaper materials. That’s why they can offer what no one else in New Zealand can.

When you’re talking about one of the biggest investments you’ll make in your home, that kind of backing matters.

Choosing the Right Inground Pool for Your Auckland Backyard

Auckland backyards come in every shape, size, and condition imaginable. A flat Papakura property is a completely different conversation to a steep Titirangi section or a tight inner-city lot in Ponsonby. What works beautifully in one backyard might not even be possible in another.

Before you speak to anyone, it’s worth spending ten minutes with our free Pool Builder tool. It’s designed to help Auckland homeowners get a realistic sense of what’s possible in their specific backyard, across different pool shapes, sizes, and configurations. No obligation, no follow-up sales call. Just a genuinely useful starting point so that when you do want to talk, you already have a clearer picture of what you’re looking for.

From compact plunge pools that transform a small urban section into a private retreat, to full-size family pools built for entertaining and growing kids, the Leisure Pools range has something for every Auckland backyard and every Auckland budget.

Fibreglass Pool FAQs for Auckland Homeowners

Most Auckland homeowners spend a while thinking before they reach out, and we think that’s completely sensible. A pool is a big decision and you should go into it informed.

Our fibreglass pool FAQ covers the questions we hear most often from Auckland homeowners. How long does installation take? What does council consent involve? How much does it actually cost to run a fibreglass pool compared to concrete? What’s the difference between pool shapes and which one tends to suit Auckland sections? What does the warranty actually cover and what do you need to do to keep it valid?

Honest answers, no fluff. We’d rather you come to us with the right questions than feel like you’re flying blind.

When you’re ready to have a conversation, get in touch. We’ll come to you, look at the section properly, and give you a straight answer about what’s possible.

We’ve been doing this in Auckland for over 15 years. We grew up swimming here. And we genuinely love helping Auckland families get to the same place.

Let’s build something your family will still be enjoying in 35 years.