Helensville

Including Parakai, Kaukapakapa and South Head.

Set in the rolling rural Kaipara River valley, Helensville is catching the eye of lifestylers who've been priced out of Kumeu and Huapai.

Once conservative and isolated, Helensville is a mix of go-ahead town and heritage charm. Nearby Parakai is benefiting from the spin-off in residential interest and Shelly Beach is a gem on the South Head Peninsula, with lifestyle blocks and horticultural land. Kaukapakapa township is the hub of the surrounding area.

Helensville is best known for its villas - those in the township are originals; out in the back blocks there are some relocated villas.

Helensville also has its brick and tile contributions - in this case, the smart and sought-after Amberly Heights homes on elevated sections close to Kaipara College. Parakai's older housing stock includes basic family homes on typical quarter-acre sections and smaller stand-alone two-bedroom houses on much smaller plots. South Head is largely lifestyle blocks, while Kaukapakapa is a mix of lifestyle blocks and large farms.

Amenities There are primary schools in Helensville, Parakai, South Head and Kaukapakapa. Secondary school-aged children come into Kaipara College from a wide rural catchment area.

Helensville's busy little shopping strip now includes a Woolworths supermarket. As well as the usual shops, there are a number of antique and collectibles shops and art galleries. Parakai's shops include a grocery store.

Parakai is famous for its thermal pools and hydroslides.

Woodhill Forest has trails for motorbikes, mountain bikes and horses. It's popular for orienteering and tramping. For a different kind of walk there's the Helensville Riverside Heritage Walkway, and there are many gardens open for visits as well.

The Helensville Showgrounds hosts an annual A&P show. Boating is popular along the Kaipara River.

For golfers, there's the Helensville Golf Club and South Head which has fantastic views of the Kaipara Harbour.

Trends Demand for Helensville villas far exceeds supply, even once buyers get over the common misconception that there are plenty for less than $100,000.

In Parakai $300,000 is big money and it's the new brick and tile homes that are picking up the $300,000-plus sales. Older homes are slow to move.

In Kaukapakapa, lifestyle blocks from 1ha to 4ha fetch upwards of $500,000.

Rental and investment Rents have nudged up as investors and lifestylers have spotted the potential in a quieter lifestyle and a return on a modest outlay.

Best streets Rimmer Road in Helensville for its lifestyle blocks; Garfield St in town for its quaint villas. Fordyce Road in Parakai.