Scottie Chapman
In Piha, he traded the city work cycle for quad bikes, sheep, cactus, and a different way of measuring success.
Scottie and Almy on Piha Beach with Lion Rock in the background.
Known locally as the dad of Piha’s favourite sheep, Lily and Lady Baba, Scottie has built a life in Piha centred around family, perspective, and a quieter way of life.
How long have you lived in Piha, and what first brought you here?
We’ve been in Piha about five and a half years now. At the time, I think we were both looking for a different pace of life and a way to step outside the constant cycle that cities can create — the pressure, the rush, the routine of work consuming everything. Piha offered something that felt more grounded and real. We took a leap of faith moving here, and it ended up changing far more about our lives than just our address.
What do you do for work (or how do you spend your days)?
Professionally, I work with boards, founders, and leadership teams, helping businesses navigate growth, change, and transformation. But honestly, what I spend most of my days doing is meeting people and trying to ask better questions. Living in Piha has reinforced how important curiosity and connection are. Around here, though, I think I’m more likely to be known as the local sheep farmer. We have two sheep, Lily and Lady Baba, who are favourites with the local kids, and I spend a fair amount of time pottering around the property with the dog, feeding animals, growing cactus, or stopping to yarn with people.
What’s something about Piha that surprises people once they actually spend time here?
How soft and caring it actually is. Piha often gets portrayed as rugged, intense, or even a bit intimidating from the outside, but the reality of living here is incredibly warm. There’s a real sense of community and care underneath everything. People genuinely look out for one another here. It feels less like a suburb and more like a village where everyone understands they’re part of something shared.
What’s your favourite thing to do in Piha?
Probably just putting around on the quad bike with the dog, stopping to chat with people as I go. Life here naturally becomes a bit more outdoors-focused and a bit slower. Some days it’s checking the surf, feeding the sheep, working on cactus, or just wandering the property. Piha encourages you to be present in a way that’s easy to lose elsewhere.
What do you love most about living here?
The balance of it all. The beauty is extraordinary, and there’s a sense of isolation and escape that feels incredibly calming, but at the same time you’re still only an hour from Auckland. You get this rare combination of wildness and accessibility. Most of all, though, I love what it’s given our family. It’s a pretty special place to raise kids and build a life together.
