Be where you want to be.

I’ve recently turned 90, and my sister Nancy and I can claim to be amongst the earliest Oaks residents.

My passion for plants and flowers began at a young age and I opened a Christchurch flower shop in my early twenties. Soon after I had a radio programme and gave classes in floral art. And I’ve written a book.

A job offer in New York opened an exciting new challenge and I established J. Barry Ferguson Flowers. I designed gardens and floral installations for special events for clients including David Rockefeller, Billy Joel and Steven Spielberg.

Moving to Warkworth Oaks has given me a new lease on life. I like everything about living here and particularly enjoy being so close to shops, cafes and medical services.

I lived in Pakuranga for the past 40 years and for the last few years there I was housebound as I did not drive. Moving here meant that wasn’t a problem any more, and I’m also closer to family.

I delight in the view from my apartment of the Mahurangi River and the oak trees, and enjoy watching life go by on the street.

My partner, Patrick, and I have lived in the Oaks for two years, having relocated from Auckland, after a life-time career in librarianship in public and academic roles.

We love the fact that we are self-contained and have everything we need right on our doorstep. The apartment being lock-up and leave is a bonus because we like to travel.

We can interact with the other residents and also engage in outside interests as much as we like. It’s a great lifestyle!

I enjoy a busy lifestyle commuting to Auckland for work at Mitre 10 in Ponsonby, which I love immensely. With my wife, Pat, we have adopted six children.

We can be regularly seen walking around the Warkworth township and the surrounding area. Our latest project is a small lifestyle property at Totara North on which we have enjoyed project managing the building of a tiny house.

The facilities here are tremendous, the staff friendly, the residents welcoming and being right in the heart of Warkworth is key.

My connection to Warkworth goes back many generations and I am delighted to be working back in town after a career as a committee secretary for the council.

My primary role is as receptionist, but I do so much more! No day at Warkworth Oaks is ever the same. Organising activities, social functions, and assisting residents with a myriad of tasks. I support the manager and sales manager and I know a lot about the running of the village.

I am the Warkworth Oaks groundsman and general maintenance man. I enjoy being part of the team in the village atmosphere. It makes a great change after having spent most of my working life on my own in jobs such as commercial fishing and tree/hedge trimming.

I’m a keen multi-sport athlete and have taken part in the Iron Man Coast to Coast challenge several times. In fact, I was the oldest person to have completed the one-day race at the age of 65!