Riverhead

BY CHARLOTTE COSSAR

Fast becoming a suburb of choice for young professionals seeking the rural lifestyle, Riverhead has much to offer those searching for a change of pace with an urban edge.

A bastion of prosperous farmers and hobby lifestylers, this area has something for everyone. And this is very evident in the lack of properties currently available. Popular with many of the most discerning buyers, the locality attracts a multitude of potential buyers seeking an idyllic existence close to Auckland's heart.

And the suburb is typical of the area, being close to the burgeoning Kumeu/Huapai community with its wonderful rural and equestrian existence. Interestingly, Auckland's trendy inner-city suburbs owe an environmental debt to Riverhead for its kauri timber, donated lovingly to their gorgeous villas and bungalows. Even if they are not aware of its heritage, Riverhead residents certainly are.

Riverhead is not short of amenities, either, with plenty of retail facilities, parks and schools available for young families living in the area.

Local resident and Ray White real estate agent Val Gardner has lived in the area for 20 years and says it is a place that people generally come to from the Bays, looking for a lifestyle for their family, and an opportunity to raise their children away from the city. "It is a great community with the school and the hall being the focus."

Originally an area of forestry, particularly kauri, which was felled and milled at the local mill then barged down the Rangitopuni Stream to Auckland, this strong connection remains today with the Kauri Gum store on School Rd, which is now a thriving cafe.

Val says the area is bordered by the Woodhill State Forest, where many locals enjoy pursuits such as mountain biking, off-roading, four-wheel driving and horse-riding. And that the Rangitopuni Stream, which feeds into the Upper Harbour, is a great place for fishing and recreational activities, such as kayaking and waterskiing.

Says Val: "It is well positioned for commuters, as it is only 25 minutes on the northwestern motorway to the CBD or 15 minutes to Albany, with shopping facilities also at Westgate and Kumeu."

After working in the area for the past nine years, Steve Carter of Harcourts, Kumeu, says it comes as no surprise to him that the area has become such a Mecca for the buyers that want the country lifestyle and yet easy commuting to the CBD or Albany.

"Its location being a central point between North Shore and the motorway to the city has a lot of appeal to most buyers. There's a great boat ramp and deep water channel - in fact, deep enough for the charter ferries to have trips from the city to the Riverhead Pub, which is one of the oldest pubs in New Zealand."

Steve says there is something for everyone here. "There's an interesting mix of property to choose from - waterfront executive homes to lifestyle blocks and a range of reasonably priced family homes on smaller sections."