News

Commonwealth gold medalist Roy Williams has just moved from Te Aroha to Pakuranga Park Village. He is the only kiwi to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal in the demanding decathlon. He’s settling into his new apartment in the village where he has been binge-watching the Tokyo Games, with a special interest in the new Olympic sports such as skateboarding.

Joan Gilchrist was a sports journalist who specialised in horse riding. She covered five Olympic Games including Los Angeles in 1984, when New Zealand was the top country in the world in the equestrian events. She’s been enjoying watching the Olympics from her villa at Pakuranga Park.

Happy International Friendship Day! Real Living villages are full of real friendships, like the one that Gail and Colleen have. They met in Epsom Village almost 8 years ago and they became best friends. They love going to cafes and restaurants or just strolling around the village and sharing a coffee or a glass of wine.

Stunning performance by the Madeleines Trio at Epsom Village. The trio has worked internationally in musical theatre and now they’re back in New Zealand to perform wonderful songs from the 1920-1950s. The residents followed the popular melodies with big smiles and a bit of toe tapping.

Pakuranga Park is hosting a Huntsman dinner tonight with rock oysters and New Zealand lamb rack in the menu. The Huntsman tickets always sell out a few hours after opening the reservations. Would you like to know why? Then read the story of Bradley Castle, Pakuranga Park’s Head Chef.

Tai chi is the most popular exercise at Remuera Gardens, with classes running four times per week. The residents love practicing the gentle movements of this ancient Chinese practice that embodies mind, body, and spirit. Their experienced teacher, Joe, guides them through several sequences of exercises, most of them can be done sitting in a chair. He keeps reminding them that “tai chi is not about muscle strength, but mind strength”.

Who can imagine a barbeque or a party without a bowl of homemade Kiwi Onion Dip? The creator of this all-time classic, Rosemary Dempsey, lives in Epsom Village. She’s the first resident to share a recipe for our new series “Real Ingredients” by Real Living.

Boney M “By the rivers of Babylon” is one of the classic favourites that the residents of Warkworth Oaks enjoy dancing again and again. The village started a socially distanced 'boogie' class during the 2020’s lockdown and it was so successful that it became a permanent weekly meeting.

Remuera Gardens has a very enthusiastic Theatre Group that goes out at least once a month to see plays, musicals, concerts, or ballet. At the beginning of July, they attended a concert by the Manukau Symphony Orchestra, and they were all very impressed with Auckland-born pianist Henry Wong Doe.