Meet Colleen: Living Life to the Fullest
When some of our residents think about moving to a retirement village, downsizing isn’t an option—they want to maintain the lifestyle they’ve enjoyed for years. With its spacious villas, Pakuranga Park allows them to continue pursuing their hobbies while leaving the hard work to us. This was exactly the case for Colleen, who moved to Pakuranga Park two years ago after comparing several retirement villages around Auckland.
"I looked at lots of apartments but because I have lots of hobbies, I wanted something bigger. Not many retirement villages offer villas, so I was very happy when I visited Pakuranga Park".
Colleen lives in a sunny, open-plan brick-and-tile villa surrounded by lawns and gardens. With two bedrooms and a carport, the villa offers plenty of space for both storage and her creative projects. "I feel very secure here, and everyone is so friendly. I’ve made lots of friends, and when I’m not busy with my hobbies or out and about, I catch up with them," she shares. The villa’s layout and warm atmosphere make it the perfect home for her active lifestyle.
Colleen was born in Rotorua, but after marrying, she lived in Palmerston North, Christchurch, and eventually settled in Auckland. Throughout her life, she held a variety of jobs while raising a busy family. However, her true passion has always been her hobbies. Over the years, she’s explored screen printing, oil painting, ceramics, and china painting. Her greatest love, though, is creating miniatures for dollhouses—a hobby that has brought her joy for over 45 years.
"You can do everything in miniature—painting, weaving, crochet—any craft you love can be adapted!"
In addition to miniatures, Colleen helps the charity KidsFirst, sewing jumpers and teddy bears. "To be honest, if If you’re involved with crafts you have a go at everything really. I love helping out with Kids Set, We meet at St John’s Hall and create thousands of garments for kids."
This year, Colleen celebrated a special birthday with her family in Rotorua. Proving that age is just a number, she went down the luge with her grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. "Of course, I took the scenic route, but it was great fun—fourteen of us celebrating together!"
Colleen lives an active lifestyle filled with croquet, Rummikub, mahjong, and line dancing. She’s also a proud member of the Freewheelers Club, traveling regularly in her motorhome and attending monthly rallies. "The last rally was in February at the Highland Games, with around 60 motorhomes gathered together!"
Colleen is so happy living in the village that she’s now encouraging her friends to join her: "I feel very privileged living at Pakuranga Park because you can't get anything like this in Auckland. It’s like a little village, with its own streets and a 30-acre parkland. Here, you’ll find safety, companionship, a friendly atmosphere, and ongoing care. What more could you possibly want?"
Colleen’s story is a true reflection of life at Pakuranga Park—a community that offers the space and freedom to continue doing what you love while building new friendships along the way. With her active lifestyle, creative passions, and love for adventure, Coleen proves that retirement is just the beginning of a new chapter, filled with opportunities to grow, explore, and enjoy life to the fullest. Pakuranga Park truly is a place where residents can thrive in comfort, surrounded by a welcoming community.
If you would like to know more about Pakuranga Park why don’t you call Sylvie on 027 314 5767
or email sylvie.borrett@realliving.co.nz
