Family migrate en masse to Waverley

The Halls , from left son Shane, granddaughter Makayla, Janelle with granddaughter Alicia, Bill and daughter Mellissa. Front, granddaughters Abigail, Elizabeth and Charlotte. Photo / Lin Ferguson

Bill and Janelle Hall lived 22 years in Mangere, Auckland, running a biosecurity centre and raising their six children.

Three years ago they decided to take a peaceful rural retirement and opted for Waverley because they had driven through and liked the feel of the town.

They bought a "lovely old home" and settled in.

Less than two years later solo dad son Shane and his four daughters arrived in town.

Pregnant daughter Mellissa arrived next.

Within a year Bill had everyone sorted.

He bought the Rainbow Dairy in Gloag St with house attached for Mellissa and daughter Alicia (now a year old), a house for Shane and his girls and an investment house as a rental.

He also bought the former Waverley Community Hall, which was originally built for the Ancient Order of Druids.

It was next to the dairy.

He and Shane are converting part of it into a home brew store and the rest is fast shaping up as a takeaway bar.

Waverley Takeaways will sell burgers, fish and chips, pizzas, "all the favourites" Shane said.

"It's certainly a new venture for me and dad, except for the home brew store.

"Most people these days are into making their own alcoholic drinks. The takeaway is shaping up, and we'll both be running it. We're practising our fast food skills until we open in about a month."

Mellissa and mum Janelle run the dairy together and the family all say it's been a brilliant move for them down to Waverley.

Bill said he doesn't think the rest of his family will follow suit just yet.

"We're pretty busy now, and we've got 10 granddaughters here, Auckland and in Sydney.

"But one of our sons in Auckland and his partner are expecting, so we might get a first boy. Anyway, life's pretty good, and we're a happy bunch and really enjoying Waverley.

"Blow Auckland ... this was a good move."