Dave Bowler and Angela Neighbours enjoy the community spirit and abundant birdlife of Miranda. Photo / Sarah Ivey
Angela Neighbours, executive coach, and husband Dave Bowler, healthcare company managing director, bought their property in Miranda without much of a plan about how to farm or what to do with the land overlooking the firth of Thames. They tell Danielle Wright why they're glad they stuck it out.
We started taking weekend breaks from the city every six weeks, mostly to the Coromandel.
When we decided to look for a more permanent escape from the CBD, we drew a circle around Auckland with about an hour's driving distance diameter.
We first looked up north where everyone else was
buying, but when we saw the view from Miranda we fell in love with it.
We looked at each other and knew we were excited, though we had to keep it from the real estate agent for at least a day so as not to let on how keen we were.
When we moved here eight years ago there were 11 homes, now there are 62.
But the only time you notice more houses is at night when the lights are on in the town.
It's still very much a rural area with proper farms because blocks can't yet be subdivided.
Findlay Rd, where we live, is a supportive community and it has to be - police or ambulance might take too long in an emergency so we all look out for each other.
When our children, friends or colleagues come to visit us they use it as a springboard to other places we're close to the Coromandel and Thames, Hamilton, Mt Maunganui or even Rotorua for day trips.
Most also like to spend time on the farm and enjoy walks around our walnut plantation, or head to the beach.
We also have two regional parks nearby, and thermally heated fresh water hot pools.
Our son Graham is a very keen birdwatcher and spends hours at the local Miranda Shorebird Centre.
On one visit to the farm he said he'd never been so close to a morepork. We also have wagtails dashing around and woodpigeons. He said he'd never seen birdlife so unafraid of humans as here in Miranda. We've had a lot of satisfaction from doing all the farm work with friends and family, learning as we go. This is more than just a piece of land to us.
If you ask anyone in Miranda what their favourite part is, they'll say it's anywhere with a view, which is marvellous. But, for us, it's also the community.
When we lived in St Heliers we lived in a street where no one spoke to each other, let alone knew each other, but in Miranda everyone gets to know and look out for each other in a non-intrusive way; it's a really lovely balance.
Angela and Dave's Picks
Miranda Hot Springs, open daily, 9am 9.30pm. Adults $13, children $6.
Miranda Shore Bird Centre, 283 East Coast Rd. You can see New Zealand dotterel, pied oystercatcher, variable oystercatcher, wrybill, pied stilt, bar-tailed godwit and lesser knot.
Kaiaua Fisheries Restaurant & Takeaways, 939 East Coast Rd, twice voted top in New Zealand for its fish 'n chips.
Miranda Cottage,670 Findlay Rd, Angela and Dave's cottage sleeps four and costs from $265 a night, ph (09) 280 6169.
The Pink Shop, 999 East Coast Rd, this general store is a great place to stop while travelling along the peaceful Seabird Coast.
