Kumeu/Huapai’s spirited community mix includes well-established professionals and their families who take to the land with a passion for its lifestyle rather than its productive appeal. They’re easily spotted in their SUVs and accept in good humour the ribbing they get for driving their “shinies”. The area is a popular base for the selfemployed working from home and those who can vary their commuting times to avoid peak periods on the non-internet superhighway that is the main drag into Auckland city.

The new subdivision developments which have ruffled the feathers of many long-time residents are still being constructed and palatial homes are springing up on the rolling landscape of the lifestyle blocks. Among the older housing stock there are original farmhouses and small cottages, plus villas that have been relocated from city suburbs. Tucked away amongst the horticultural countryside, the best homes come with tennis courts, pools and stables, providing their owners with all the trappings of the modern country squire lifestyle. Land prices are sky-high in this desirable area, so naturally people are demanding similarly upscale homes. Dairy Flat has the new Goodlands Country Estate farm park with luxury properties selling from $1.5million to more than $3million. At Coatesville’s exclusive 10-site ‘Parkgate’ gated community all the sites have sold and some of the first exclusive homes are under construction.