Skip to content
All articles

When happiness comes in the form of shortbread

When most people reach retirement age, they have pretty much figured out the good things in life. Which is the case for our residents at Warkworth Oaks, who have decided that shortbread should not be reserved for just Christmas or special occasions. One of the residents, Mary, bakes a big batch of shortbread for the village every three weeks, and she always sells out!

Last month Mary sold 45 packets of shortbread amongst her neighbours.

Mary and her husband Gary moved to Warkworth Oaks at the end of 2020. “We love this area, because if you want you can go to Whangarei for a day trip, or you’re just a short car trip away from Albany or Silverdale. We love our apartment because it has a long hallway where we can store all our music CDs, we’re passionate about music so we have thousands.”

Mary and Gary have a studio in their apartment where they can listen to their favourite CDs and contemplate life while looking out the window.

Mary started baking shortbread to sell in local markets. When she moved to Warkworth Oaks she gifted some packets to her neighbours who quickly started to ask for more. Now she regularly bakes shortbread and other goodies for the village and she always ends with empty hands!

Mary worked most of her life as Category Manager at the Auckland’s Head Office of Woolworth’s. After a brief stint being an estate agent on Waiheke Island, she decided to redirect her energy to charity work. She started cooking meals for Warkworth Hospital for dementia patients. After that she took a part-time job at the Hospice’s op shop, a role that she loves and she’s held for 9 years now.

Harbour Hospice is the only specialist, palliative care provider for families living on the Hibiscus Coast, North Shore and Warkworth / Wellsford communities. Mary loves working at the shop that is always full of good quality bargains. “Firstly I do it for myself, it helps me to keep fit with all the moving around and sorting out items. I also love socialising with staff and costumers. But at the end of the day, I know that all those sales go towards the care of people, and that’s the most important thing for me.”

MARY'S SHORTBREAD RECIPE

2 cups flour

1 cup icing sugar

1 cup cornflour

250g butter, softened

Mix in mixer till lighter in colour and a little sticky.

Form into 2 square shaped rolls.  

Cut into biscuit-size slices. 42 onto oven tray. Fan bake at 150C for 20min.

Latest articles

All News
Bowls and new friendships
Remuera Gardens
News
Remuera Gardens
News
07 July 2025

Bowls and new friendships

What makes a retirement village truly special? It’s the sense of community that grows within its walls. At Remuera Gardens, our newly opened Avenue Apartments are seamlessly connected by a vibrant hub featuring a bowling green and the Pavilion—the social heart of the village, where friends come together to enjoy a cup of tea (or a glass of wine!) and share good company. Every Wednesday, residents gather for a friendly game of bowls on the green—a tradition that captures the spirit of village life. Want to experience it for yourself?
Read more
Pink with Purpose at Real Living
Pakuranga Park
News
Pakuranga Park
News
18 June 2025

Pink with Purpose at Real Living

When it comes to supporting a good cause, our residents have hearts of gold! The Pakuranga Park Social Club recently hosted a Pink Ribbon Afternoon Tea, raising a sparkling total $2,000 for the Breast Cancer Foundation. The village was awash in a cheerful sea of pink—from the delicious treats to the residents’ vibrant outfits. But the best part? The joyful laughter and sense of community that filled the room as friends came together to support such an important cause.
Read more
"It was exactly what we were looking for"
Remuera Gardens
News
Remuera Gardens
News
06 June 2025

"It was exactly what we were looking for"

It’s not every day you find a home that ticks all the boxes—but that’s exactly what happened to John and Veronica, two of the very first residents at The Avenue Apartments in Remuera. “We’ve never looked back and are loving our new lifestyle in our independent apartment,” they say with a big smile, relaxing in their spacious and sun-filled living area.
Read more