Glenfield’s claim to fame is twofold. Firstly, its population is said to personify average New Zealand. Secondly, our very own Rachel Hunter, model and ex-wife of ageing rocker Rod Stewart, came from Glenfield. She may live in Hollywood now but she’s a Glenfield girl at heart. Glenfield is the heart of North Shore suburbia, where the buzz of the lawnmower is alive and well. Its affordable houses make it attractive to people who are not suburb snobs, many of whom work on the Shore or from their vans as self-employed tradespeople. Glenfield may not have a beach on its doorstep but it’s not far to either coast, has an amenity-crammed sports and community centre, is handy to all of the North Shore, has some of the best shops in Auckland and a firm community spirit. This is a family neighbourhood through and through.