News

Pakuranga Park’s new cookbook has just been released and is full of delicious recipes submitted by our talented residents. “Tried and true: A Taste of Real Living” was developed during the lockdown and it’s the perfect Christmas gift if you like real, foolproof recipes.

Christmas is fast approaching, and our residents’ creativity is in full swing! At Pakuranga Park the Villagers have been busy crafting homemade decorations, baking delicious treats and preparing presents for the Women’s Refuge. On Thursday 11th of November the village will have a Market Day for the residents who want to sell their unique gifts to their neighbours.

Pakuranga Park residents stopped to have a “little chat” with Big Ted this week, the Howick teddy bear that has been entertaining locals during this lockdown. Susan Mudford, the lady behind the Big Ted displays, has known lots of Pakuranga Park residents over the years, so she was very pleased with the surprise visit.

Janet's career as an embroidery designer started more than 60 years ago, when she left England to move to New Zealand. She has worked with some of the most famous designers in New Zealand, but her creative talent also expands to art, handmade dolls and even a project to create a children’s book.

Daffodil Day symbolises hope for all New Zealanders impacted by cancer. Real Living villages found their own way to keep the tradition alive and raise funds for the Cancer Society. The team at Pakuranga Park wore groovy hats and paper daffodils to celebrate this special day with a lot of enthusiasm and a great sense of humour. The village raised almost $2500.

This month we're sharing a delicious recipe of Banana Caramilk cake with Margaret from Pakuranga Park. Margaret’s talent for baking and decorating cakes has impressed many staff and residents at the village. She’s such a good cook that her nephew, well-known conservationist Daryl Eason, took her to Codfish Island to participate in the efforts to save the kākāpō.

Pakuranga Park Village turned into a stunning Art Gallery yesterday afternoon. The community really enjoyed the opportunity to see the works of contemporary New Zealand artists such as Flox, one of the leading stencil-based artists in our country. According to Real Living Groups' director Chris Murphy, the exhibition is part of the Village's efforts to give back to the community.

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.