News

Oh, What a Night! The opening of the Art Show at Pakuranga Park last evening was a tremendous success! A full house gathered to admire the remarkable work of over 50 talented artists from our four Real Living villages and beyond. Entertainment reporter Kate Rodger delivered a lively and heartfelt opening speech, officially cutting the ribbon to kick off three exciting days of artistic celebration.

We’re hosting our annual art exhibition, showcasing the creative talents of artists from our four Auckland Real Living Villages and beyond! Fri 15th, Sat 16th and Sun 17th November. Come and enjoy our hospitality as you feast your eyes on work from over 50 exhibitors. There is a gold coin entry with proceeds going to Auckland Dementia.

Discover the stunning new Bird Wall behind the Community Centre at Pakuranga Park! Set within 30 acres of picturesque, park-like grounds, our village is the perfect place for this wonderful addition. Generously donated by Sensory Solutions, this Bird Wall is truly a paradise for our feathered friends—a dream palace for the birds that naturally visit Pakuranga Park such as rock pigeons, kingfishers, fantails, magpies, thrushes and starlings.

One of the advantages of residing in a Real Living village is the regular outings to exciting destinations both within and beyond Auckland. At Pakuranga Park, the Activities Coordinators work hard to provide a variety of experiences: from beautiful beach adventures at Muriwai gannet colony or Ayrlies Garden, to distinctive attractions like Whitford's Toy Museum or the Hamilton Car Museum.

Things are getting a bit wild at Real Living! Pet Vibes provides hands-on interaction with adorable pets, from bunnies and guinea pigs to cats, dogs, cockatiels, canaries, and even a sheep. At Pakuranga Park, they have a regular and enthusiastic fan club that eagerly welcomes these adorable creatures into their hearts. Among them, the cheeky cockatiels, Biscuit and Ava, steal the show, delighting residents by perching on shoulders and even playing with their earrings whenever they can!

For some of our residents, boredom is a word that doesn’t exist in their life dictionary. Julia and Trevor moved to Pakuranga Park one year ago after leading lives packed with experiences. Trevor’s diverse career has seen him as a land surveyor, a builder, a singer, and the owner of a video shop. Julia has been a teacher, playwright, performer, poet, and is the mastermind behind the word game SQUABBLES. Has retirement slowed them down? On the contrary, Pakuranga Park has given them the opportunity to explore new hobbies and maintain their lively spirits within a vibrant community.

At Real Living, some of our residents have mastered the art of making the most out of life. Vera, at 95 years old, refuses to let her age hinder her dreams. When she expressed her desire to try skydiving for her 95th birthday to her son Nigel, he simply looked at her and said, 'Mum, you can do anything!' True to her spirit, Vera leaped out of a plane, and it became one of the most exhilarating experiences of her life. Her courage and determination are a source of inspiration to us all at Real Living.

The week of Anzac Day is a very important time at Real Living, as all our villages join the nation in commemorating the service and sacrifice of New Zealand and Australian military personnel. Yesterday, Pakuranga Park celebrated a memorial gathering to remember the fallen and pay tribute to the bravery of our military members. At the end of the ceremony, they featured a performance by the Eno Sisters, a trio of talented singers who sing songs from the wartime era.

At Real Living we strive to provide healthy and delicious meals for our residents every day. We also enjoy organising themed culinary events that become a true feast for the senses. At Pakuranga Park the most popular culinary evening is the monthly Huntsman dinner, so much so that it always sells out very quickly.