Right where you belong.

With her family all in Scotland, Joan Gilchrist knew that she had to make plans for the future. Pakuranga Park was ideal, close to everything familiar, and it offered independent villas.

“Apartment living would have driven me insane – I need the spaciousness the village offers.”

Joan’s had a busy career mostly in journalism, which was also combined with time in sponsorship, event management, PR, managing a shopping centre – which took her all over the country and overseas. This included covering equestrian events at five Olympics and writing two books with TV cook and author Allyson Gofton. “It was only after I retired properly in my mid-70s, that I realised how isolated I was in a back-section, with all the neighbours at work and my friends scattered around the country and overseas.

“Village life has brought a much-expanded social circle, new friends and lots of activities. Plus there’s the security of the community – and I was able to bring my dog.”

Don has lived all his 90 years to the full. Joining the air force, he’s had postings to Cyprus, Malta, Egypt, the Middle East, USA and around New Zealand. While in London for four years at the High Commission, he represented High Commissioner, Sir Denis Blundell at official occasions. Called to the Lord Chamberlain’s office at Buckingham Palace, he was appointed one of 10 ‘Extra Gentleman Ushers’ to Her Majesty The Queen, for her lifetime, attending numerous state occasions such as the garden parties – he loved the perk of having a car park at the Palace!

Back home, the now Wing Commander took on various projects as well as acting as ADC to the Governor-General. After the air force he enjoyed a successful business career and today is currently writing a book on women in aviation.

He and Ila, a teacher, have been married for 67 years and for much of his career Ila has been with Don around the world with their three boys.

Music and art run through Daphne’s life. Her first performance was at a Sunday school function, where the minister asked for someone to sing “Jesus wants me as a sunbeam” and up popped five-year-old Daphne. That performance heralded a career across radio, television, stage shows, recitals and competitions. She holds her ATCL, LTCL and FTCL, teaching voice and piano for over 40 years.

She took up painting after she came into Pakuranga Park in 1999. “I mostly do it for the family, but I have sold some.”

“My first impression of the village was that it looked as if I was driving into a park. I love the spaciousness and airiness. You can see your neighbours but you are not on top of them, and we look out for each other.”

“My sons chose Pakuranga Park for me”, she says, “It was the best thing ever. I can babysit, bring music into my grand children’s lives and watch them grow up.”

For Ray and Jenny life at Pakuranga Park is ideal. The couple usually (Covid-interruptus!) spend a couple of winter months in Scotland with their son and family. In addition they have a batch in Northland and a camper van in which they love to explore. They know they can lock their door and leave the house without a worry. They have various interests outside the village – a walking group, a daughter in South Auckland and Mah Jong – and also enjoy socialising in the village, where they have made many friends.

At home, if handyman Ray isn’t helping out a neighbour, he can be found adding to his amazing model railway, or making model trucks, while Jenny enjoys her scrap-booking, baking and sewing.

Lani Poetzscher is a new addition to the nursing team and has quickly found her feet - enjoying her new job, with both staff and residents being super friendly and helpful.

An Aucklander of Polynesian heritage, family looms large in her life, and she’s travelled in the USA and Europe visiting relatives. Lani studied at AUT and Auckland University, gaining her Bachelor’s degree and completing post-graduate studies.

Aged care has always been her passion and she has been in the industry for “quite a long time”.

“It is true that aged care is hard, and you have to have a passion for it because it is like a family and it is long term. I try to ensure that my patients maintain their independence as far as possible and have a good life. I have a good sense of humour and I use it to connect with the residents.”

Residents have the answer to “Who you gonna’ call?” in Brian.

Originally from Cambridge, Brian’s clocked up 22 years of service with Real Living, following earlier work building motels, houses and rest homes.

With his team of 11 maintenance and gardening staff, he’s here, there and everywhere making sure the village is in tip top order. No easy task when dealing with more than 30 acres, 250 villas, two apartment blocks, and main buildings with public rooms, swimming pool, serviced apartments and community centre.

His great pleasure is meeting residents and finding out about their history – “that’s interesting”. Brian also takes great pride in turning villas and apartments from what they were into something different for the next residents.

Away from work, he enjoys fishing, has run a couple of half marathons since taking this up three years ago and gets some downtime with his wife Lynette and their two children at their beach house in Northland.

Originally from Canterbury, Kate comes from a tourism and airline background, and a stint with the US Antarctic programme. Since marrying Steve and having three children, she’s juggled work to suit family life, including some time in real estate.

She was attracted to Pakuranga Park by the opportunity to work with older people. “I had an amazing relationship with my grandparents, and I guess that developed a sense of helping people. The village is part of something special. I get a lot of joy from finding residents a place where they are part of a community and can enjoy life”.

“When I’m in the buggy, everyone waves and calls out. I walked through the gentle exercise class the other day with clients, and the residents are all waving and saying, “Come and join us, this is the best village.” It’s so important as they’re coming through the village that they get the true essence of it.”

“As for the team, we are focussed and get the job done, but we have a lot of fun on the way.”