Pohutukawa Coast

Our gorgeous coast

Magazine Bay Wairoa River

The Pohutukawa Coast and districts encompasses an enormous area of south eastern Auckland comprising farmland, hilly ranges incorporating 14,000 hectares of native forest, beautiful views and beaches and some popular suburbs just off the beaten track. The Pohutukawa Coast Loop is highly recommended – take a country drive through these seaside and rural communities.

WHITFORD

• Home to Ayrlies Garden and Wetlands, one of the select few New Zealand gardens of international significance. • Turanga Creek Winery boasts fine wine, delicious food and impressive views. • Hit the greens at the Whitford Park Golf Club, with its lovely course open to visitors.

BEACHLANDS

• The Pine Harbour Marina complex is home to restaurants with spectacular views. • Visit the scenic Pohutukawa Coast trail for a spot of adventure. The walkway runs along the coast from Pine

Harbour marina to Maraetai, 8.2km for walkers and bikes. • Checking out the many stunning beaches and reserves is a must-do for nature lovers. • The old Beachlands shops with cafes, restaurants and gift shops. • The hustle and bustle of Pohutukawa Coast Shopping

Centre is perfect for meeting with friends for shopping, coffee and a bite to eat. Hunua Falls

MARAETAI

• Maraetai means ‘meeting place by the sea’ in Maori and is home to beautiful beaches and reserves. • Omana Reserve, a beautiful stretch of coast lined with

Pohutukawa trees that display their red blooms around

Christmas time. • Duder Regional Park has many heritage walking tracks with some spectacular views of Waiheke Island and beyond. To cool down you can head to Duders Beach for a quick swim or a picnic with the family. • Maraetai Beach, a beautiful and popular swimming spot popular for water sports, with food outlets. • Umupuia Marae – the ancestral home of the Ngai Tai people who are the Mana Whenua of the area.

CLEVEDON

• The Clevedon Village Farmer’s Market is on every

Sunday at 107 Monument Road with a selection of delicious food stalls and organic fruit and veg stalls dotted around the Clevedon Showgrounds. • The Clevedon Scenic Reserve is perfect for adventurous locals and nature lovers. • Clevedon Animal Farm offers a range of activities for all ages, including performing animals, horse riding, farm walks and rides for the family, children’s parties and school holiday events.

AND BEYOND

• Hunua Regional Park has biking and walking trails through this extensive native bushland. • Hunua Falls, a beautiful waterfall, with picnic facilities and walking tracks.

Eating out

There is no shortage of wonderful cuisine options in Howick, Pakuranga and surrounds.

The beauty of our local dining scene is that there seems to be something for everyone. Eastern ethnic restaurants offer Thai, Indian, Japanese, Chinese, Malaysian, Cambodian and Vietnamese cuisine. On another note, there are gorgeous flavours from the Mediterranean and European countries, such as Italy, which is time-honoured for its cuisine.

Naturally, some venues offer Pacific rim menus and most Euro-style restaurants feature a good sampling of seafood, such a part of the New Zealand culture. The area boasts some great waterfront restaurants at Bucklands Beach, Eastern Beach, Cockle Bay and Half Moon Bay Marina.

Importantly, there are family-friendly BYO cafes, fully licensed, upmarket venues with a touch of city chic and numerous convivial pubs which also offer entertainment. Go beachfront, or trendy street café, underground, coffee shop, takeaway or rural, there’s a place for you.

Weddings - Birthdays or any special occasions

Sunday marketS

Howick

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Four factors to consider when selecting flooring

When it comes to flooring, homeowners have a range of options. And in the Howick/ Pakuranga/Botany areas, there are many specialists who can help you. Popular choices include hardwood, carpet, vinyl, terrazzo, laminate, ceramic, cork, natural stone and bamboo. Here are four factors to consider if you need to update your floors. 1. FUNCTION Do you have kids or pets? Do you like to exercise in a particular part of the house? Opt for flooring that’s practical and suits your lifestyle. For instance, while blonde hardwood and white marble floors are stylish, they may not be the best choice if you have a cat or dog with dark fur. Additionally, you may want to avoid flooring that’s excessively hard in rooms where you spend a lot of time on your feet. 2. ATMOSPHERE Flooring is an integral part of your home’s appearance, so make sure you choose a type that contributes to the style you want to create. For example, natural stone generally provides a Zen-like ambiance, whereas blonde hardwood will add warmth to a space. If you want a retro vibe, consider pastel terrazzo. For a more sophisticated look, opt for dark laminate flooring. When you visit your local stores and suppliers, make sure to compare different flooring samples and seek advice from a qualified salesperson. It’s a good idea to bring along photos of the rooms you’re renovating. 3. INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS Before you install new flooring, you may need to update the sub-floor. This could be the case if you have heavy flooring that requires extra support. It will also be necessary if you choose to install electrical wiring, plumbing or radiant heating in the sub-floor. A qualified professional is always the best person to install new flooring. 4. UPKEEP Some types of floors require maintenance that goes beyond simply sweeping and mopping. For example, you need to periodically apply a sealant to porous flooring such as unglazed tile, limestone and concrete. In the case of hardwood, you need to sand and varnish it every so often. Before you settle on a particular type of flooring, make sure you know what sort of upkeep it requires. Keep in mind there are professionals who can provide expert advice. Contractors, interior designers and the staff at your local DIY and furniture stores will be able to recommend specific solutions for your home.