This is where the rural upper-crust of the north-west resides, in lovely homes set on treeswathed properties of generous proportions. Fruit and vege shops with some incredible bargains are still a feature of this area, but many of the traditional market gardens have been priced out of viability because of the unquenchable demand for residential land. Many of New Zealand’s top vineyards are based here; their rows of grapevines, a characteristic part of the roadside scenery and their restaurants and tasting rooms a popular destination for locals and day trippers alike. The once familiar sight of locals on tractors chugging down the dusty main road to the dairy has gone forever. These days the road is a bustling arterial route to the city for SUVs transporting well polished parents and their pony-riding offspring.
Who Lives There?
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.
Typical Homes
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.
That was Kumeu / Huapai in brief.
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