Growing Up at Paerata Rise: A Place to Raise Your Whānau

When choosing where to raise your family, the decision is about much more than the house itself. It is about the streets your children will learn to ride their bikes on, the parks where they will meet friends, the schools that will support them, and the sense of belonging that grows around everyday life. 

Set in Franklin, close to Pukekohe and Karaka, Paerata Rise has been designed with family living in mind. The community offers a semi-rural village feel while keeping residents connected to Auckland, giving children space to grow and whānau room to feel at home. 

​​​For young families, education is often one of the biggest considerations. Paerata Rise has early learning close by, with BestStart Paerata Rise catering for children from three months to five years old. Families also have access to nearby schooling options including Paerata Primary School, Wesley College, Pukekohe High School, ACG Strathallan and St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College, providing choice from preschool through to the teenage years. 

Outside the school day, there is plenty to enjoy close to home: 

• Visit the playground by Rise ‘n Shine Café 
  Let the kids play while parents enjoy a coffee nearby.  

• Explore the Fairy Enchantment Walk 
  A fun little adventure for younger children, with fairy houses to spot along the way.  

• Spend time at Hyde Park or Liberty Park 
  Great for picnics, fresh air, kicking a ball around or catching up with neighbours.  

• Take the dog to Central Bark 
  The off-leash dog park is a handy spot for families with four-legged members.  

• Walk or cycle the neighbourhood paths 
  Paerata Rise has family-friendly routes that make it easy to get outside, enjoy green space and explore the community together. 

Paerata Rise has also been planned for outdoor living, with walkways, cycle paths, parks, playgrounds and ‘Central Bark’ dog park creating plenty of opportunities to get outside. These shared spaces support recreation, wellbeing and everyday connection, helping neighbours become familiar faces. 

The neighbourhood has been designed with walkability in mind, with pedestrian-friendly pathways, connected green spaces and streets that encourage people to get out and enjoy the community. 

As the township continues to grow, so will the amenities around it. A notable addition is the recently opened Paerata Railway Station. Future plans include new retail spaces, a supermarket and community hubs, helping make daily life more convenient as families’ needs change. Paerata Rise is also planned as a long-term community, with 4,500 homes being developed progressively while maintaining its sense of charm and connection. 

For families looking to put down roots, Paerata Rise offers more than a new home. From schools and parks to safe streets and future-focused planning, it is a place where children can learn, explore and belong. At Paerata Rise, families aren’t just buying a house. They’re becoming part of a community designed to grow with them for generations to come.