Te Kauwhata is growing, slowly but steadily. Long-time locals lament they “don’t recognise anyone in the village anymore”. So, we spoke to some new faces to see what made them decide to call Te Kauwhata home.
For many it’s the lifestyle (semi-rural blocks close to the township) and the chance to live a small version of the good life. For others, it varies from affordability, location, being closer to family – or a chance to escape big city rat race life.
Here’s what some of our new residents told the Chatter about their ‘why’ and what challenges they faced on their journey. Some are happy to add their names; others prefer a bit of anonymity.
Lakeside’s Chanel and Tewis Slabbert loved the semi-rural charm of Te Kauwhata. Longing for a slower pace of life, and a genuine sense of community, they imagined unwinding with a leisurely evening stroll by the lake. Location and price point were attractive drawcards.
“More than anything, we looked forward to knowing our neighbours. We didn’t spend much time in the village before deciding. Our minds were made up from the first moment we stepped foot in Lakeside.
“Location and price point made it an easy decision, and we’ve become involved in the wider community.”
Fellow Lakesiders Gurinder Singh and Harjeet Kaur are 5-year veterans, relocating from Auckland after a friend suggested checking out Te Kauwhata.
“We instantly fell in love with this beautiful little village. It felt calm, welcoming, and just right.
“I’ve been teaching at the Primary School since 2021” says Harjeet. “My husband works at Auckland Airport which means a long commute. While we absolutely love living here, the limited schooling options after primary and the long travel distance for work can be challenging at times.
“Te Kauwhata holds so many special memories; it’s where I landed my first teaching job in New Zealand, where we received our permanent residency, where we got the keys to our first home, and where our son started his first school. It has been wonderful to see the village grow and become more diverse but remain friendly.”
Echoing the sentiments of other newcomers, Waikare Estate residents Derek and June Peel decided to relocate from the ‘chaos of Auckland’ but remain close enough for family and events.
“June fell in love with Waikare Estate, its section sizes, build quality and country views. We both loved the smaller size of the village and friendly welcome from local businesses,” says Derek.
“We expected a quieter lifestyle and getting involved with the community,” he says. “It’s nice to wake up to the view of fields and animal, and we find the community can be as welcoming as you want and you can get as involved as much as you want, but you have to make the effort.”
Semi-rural residents adjacent to Waikare Estate agree with the Peels’ view. Like many they were looking for an escape from Auckland, and a better lifestyle that was more aligned to their values. The ‘old-style’ friendliness was a big drawcard, as well as the ability to get involved in the community in a meaningful way.
Lakeside’s Aidan Picot was already working in the area and joined family who had previously relocated to the village. He cast a professional eye over Te Kauwhata, driving around the area and exploring what was on offer.
“We looked at different neighbourhoods and the types of properties available, thinking about the stepping stones we could see ourselves achieving in the future.”
An Aparangi resident, who preferred not to be named, now has two years under his belt in the village. He says the location and affordability was a big drawcard, along with the continuum of care offered in a retirement village set within a few minutes’ walk from Te Kauwhata’s facilities.
Semi-retired from his Auckland education role, this fit and active local says another plus is the public transport that allows him to travel by bus to Pukekohe and then by train to his old haunts.
Aparangi Retirement village is also attractive for similar reasons. It’s operated by Te Kauwhata Retirement Trust and board chair John Cunningham says affordability and an informal’ street style’ is a winner against larger corporate retirement villages.
“Residents in the village are delighted that they are so close to the main road shops and services such as the supermarket, library and doctors,” he says. “This is a huge advantage for residents to be involved in the wider community and differs from many other places which are set in outlying areas and not walkable to services.
Did Te Kauwhata live up to expectation? Some snapshot comments.
# We expected a small, tight knit rural town with a quieter lifestyle and less hustle and bustle. Those expectations were definitely met and exceeded. One of the standout features for us has been the local food trucks in the evenings. It’s great to see the community supporting small local businesses.
# We like to arrive home and wave to everyone in the street as we pass. We truly struck gold with our neighbours and the wider community.
#It’s a change getting used to not having all the shops you want/need in a short distance. Projects, or things not available in the village, take some planning and a 30-minute commute.
# Generally, everyone has been very friendly. Facebook warriors sometimes complain about being “invaded” by outsiders, but we quickly found friends amongst our neighbours and volunteer organisations.
#People often say it’s hard to make new friends or feel like you fit in, but for us, settling in was the easiest thing in the world. When you’re surrounded by like-minded people, finding your feet comes naturally
*#One of my proudest moments was helping organise the Diwali Festival celebration last year, it was heart-warming to meet so many amazing people and see the community come together
# We don’t have a lot of choice in restaurants, but the food trucks bring everyone together for great food and even better company.
#Take time to stop and chat with the locals, you’ll quickly discover most people are more than happy to share their experiences and explain what makes this area and community so special.
#The easiest part was how convenient everything is. It’s a quick drive to both Pukekohe and Hamilton, which has been a real bonus.
# The most challenging part was adjusting to local shop hours, coming from a larger city where something is always open, it took a bit of planning to make sure dinner was sorted before everything closed!
Top tips for newcomers
The consensus is: Take time to stop and chat with locals, you’ll quickly discover that most people are more than happy to share their experiences and explain what makes this area and community so special.
Check out the Community House for events. Call in on a Community Committee meeting to find out what’s coming up. Events are often posted on the noticeboard by the railway lines.
Playgrounds are fantastic spaces for families with children to connect, and there’s always something happening.
And the final word, from new community committee member and local teacher Harjeet; “Te Kauwhata has so much to give us in so many ways. If we embrace this little village and support one another, it gives back beautifully. It’s important to avoid divisions like “old TK” and “Lakeside” — we’re all part of the same community.
By Chris Davies
