our community

I have been feeling grateful lately for all we can access in our community. We have a dairy about 400 yards away up the hill, supplying us with milk and bread, the daily newspaper and anything else we may need, plus there are petrol pumps and a bottle store nearby. Stephen and I are not really drinkers, but we do like to pick up alcohol from time to time if we are attending an event. It is open seven days. The two take-aways provide us with an assortment of fast-foods; the seafood chowders being my favourite.

There is also a day-care and a small drinking bar, satisfying the needs of many in the community. There is a local hall for people to use and a marae. There are plenty of handymen living here too, with electricians, plumbers, builders etc. being easy to find and lots of groups for people to attend. Several members of the community fundraised to install cameras in different locations and these have helped with the security, making it a much safer place to live than it was in the past.

Further up the road is a resort complex, which I massaged at from time-to-time when I was working, but it also provides two venues for great dining and entertainment. We are fortunate to have this on our doorstep, along with a top-quality golf course.

But nothing can surpass the beaches. We have a great selection. I love my body boarding and there is always one of these beaches with waves. One was even voted the best in New Zealand.

Moving off the Peninsular and turning right, we are now 25 minutes from town or heading left, 10 to 20 minutes from several small settlements, providing superettes, hairdressers, lawyers accountants; in fact, everything one could need. My massage therapist lives here and there is an assortment of healers and yoga instructors plus tennis courts and other sport’s facilities for those interested. There are more beaches and a harbour for the keen fishermen.

Several schools are also located in the vicinity, perhaps one negative that there is no longer one on the Peninsular.

There are markets in all directions and days, offering a great selection of wares. One of our favourite things to attend is a monthly gathering of musicians, who allow us to come and listen for a small fee. There is some incredible talent out there.

This may sound like an infomercial for our area, but really, it is a lovely place to live. And what makes it special for me is that family are nearby. Having them around is really the icing on the cake.

I have always been a country-loving person and the first time I drove out here, I could actually feel my heart expanding as the drive took me through several kilometres of farmland. Whilst it may not suit everybody, it is certainly right for me and I agree when people say “we are living in paradise”.