Pukekohe

This cute country town is fast becoming a destination of choice for many city slickers. By CHARLOTTE COSSAR.

Offering a slice of rural life with the comforts and sophistication of its city neighbours, this lush area is hard to resist.

With a population of about 13,000, Pukekohe, which means Hill of the Kohekohe (a native mahogany tree) is Franklin's largest town and is completely self-sufficient with great shops, restaurants, sports grounds and good old country air.

First settled in the 1860s, Pukekohe soon became one of the largest areas of market gardening in New Zealand. Famous for its onions and potatoes, it has rich soils and a temperate climate.

About 40 minutes' drive from Auckland (except in peak traffic), Pukekohe is a great place to live and very friendly. And it doesn't have the fast pace and population of many Auckland suburbs.

Renowned for its open spaces, Pukekohe is, however, not behind the times and has embraced the cafe scene as much as its city neighbours, so you needn't worry about missing out on a good latte. And with no traffic lights, it offers all the convenience of a good-sized town, but with the space and freedom of a country lifestyle.

Things to do

To enjoy the views, take a drive to the summit of Pukekohe Hill. From here there are views of the Franklin district to Manukau Harbour and Auckland and to the south, Tuakau, the Waikato River and the Tasman Sea beyond.

For a bit more action, the V8 super cars and New Zealand International Grand Prix are on show annually at the Pukekohe Park Raceway, which also hosts truck racing, concerts and equestrian events on a regular basis.

Once a year, the A and P Show is on at the showground near the town's centre, and during winter, the rugby stadium, which is also central with heaps of free parking nearby, is home to the Counties-Manukau rugby team.

Pukekohe also has indoor and outdoor swimming pools, gym facilities, horse riding, horse racing, water sports and fishing in the nearby Waikato River.

If you're into shopping, the Franklin market is held every Saturday morning and the main shopping strip has boutiques and mainstream stores.

Who lives here?

The area attracts a good mix of residents. There are some families who have lived in the area for years. Although many of its younger residents seek adventure overseas and in the city, a majority return to settle and raise their families in this popular town with good schools.

Property prices

Regardless of your needs, Pukekohe has it all. Most homes are priced in the mid $200,000s. Units range from $180,000 to $200,000, new four-bedroom family homes between $265,000 and $300,000 and executive homes from $330,000.

Traditionally, Pukekohe Hill is sought after for its beautiful views of Auckland. However, now there are new subdivisions to the north and south of Pukekohe and the Valley Fields area to the east that are attracting new residents.

People move to the area from throughout the country, especially Auckland, to escape the urban sprawl.

There is also a demand for lifestyle blocks, with or without housing, especially from overseas buyers, who want a piece of New Zealand's clean green image.