News

For some of our residents, boredom is a word that doesn’t exist in their life dictionary. Julia and Trevor moved to Pakuranga Park one year ago after leading lives packed with experiences. Trevor’s diverse career has seen him as a land surveyor, a builder, a singer, and the owner of a video shop. Julia has been a teacher, playwright, performer, poet, and is the mastermind behind the word game SQUABBLES. Has retirement slowed them down? On the contrary, Pakuranga Park has given them the opportunity to explore new hobbies and maintain their lively spirits within a vibrant community.

At Real Living, some of our residents have mastered the art of making the most out of life. Vera, at 95 years old, refuses to let her age hinder her dreams. When she expressed her desire to try skydiving for her 95th birthday to her son Nigel, he simply looked at her and said, 'Mum, you can do anything!' True to her spirit, Vera leaped out of a plane, and it became one of the most exhilarating experiences of her life. Her courage and determination are a source of inspiration to us all at Real Living.

The week of Anzac Day is a very important time at Real Living, as all our villages join the nation in commemorating the service and sacrifice of New Zealand and Australian military personnel. Yesterday, Pakuranga Park celebrated a memorial gathering to remember the fallen and pay tribute to the bravery of our military members. At the end of the ceremony, they featured a performance by the Eno Sisters, a trio of talented singers who sing songs from the wartime era.

At Real Living we strive to provide healthy and delicious meals for our residents every day. We also enjoy organising themed culinary events that become a true feast for the senses. At Pakuranga Park the most popular culinary evening is the monthly Huntsman dinner, so much so that it always sells out very quickly.

What an absolute blast we had with our 'Try it out' events at Pakuranga Park! We invited visitors to come and experience croquet and bowls, two of the most popular sports at the village. The residents showed them the ropes, all while basking in the fantastic atmosphere that Pakuranga Park never fails to deliver!

How lucky are we? Olympic bronze medallist and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Aaron Gate, visited Pakuranga Park yesterday to deliver a talk about his career as a road and track cyclist. The village’s Lounge was packed to the seams with residents eager to meet Gate, who is currently very busy training for the next Olympic Games in Paris.

Happy Chinese New Year! Today, Pakuranga Park celebrated the Lunar New Year with an extraordinary performance by the cultural ensemble, Synergy Dragon Dance Group. From mesmerizing dragon and lion dances to enchanting traditional musical routines, the show absolutely captivated the residents, providing a lively tribute to the richness of Chinese culture.

A breathtaking landscape... exquisite wine... and the most delightful company... what else could you possibly wish for on Valentine's Day? Our residents at Pakuranga Park certainly feel that they’ve had an unforgettable Valentine’s Day with their day trip to Westbrook Winery. Almost 40 people joined the trip, including a couple who was celebrating their wedding anniversary.

Kirsten and Chris started working as Activities Coordinators at Pakuranga Park on August 2021 and they quickly became the “Dynamic Duo”. With time they got to know almost every resident at the village (400 of them!) and they have built a trust relationship with them. So much so that now Chris has taken the role of Welfare Coordinator to look after the residents who are more vulnerable.