Coming Home to Paerata Rise: Meet Dianne, Paul & George

For Dianne and Paul, it wasn’t just the house that made them move to Paerata Rise, it was the feeling they got driving into the neighbourhood.

“As soon as you come off the motorway at Drury, there’s this sense of relaxation,” says Paul. “By the time I pull into the roundabout, I’m thinking, ‘oh, I’m home’.”

After years in East Auckland raising their families, the couple were ready for a home that better suited this stage of life, somewhere lower maintenance, more connected and a little slower paced.

“We came from a big two level, you know, four bedrooms. The kids had all gone their own ways and overseas and now it was time for us and single level living is so much easier.”

Their home at Paerata Rise gave them exactly that. Easy-care living, indoor-outdoor flow, a view of the oak trees and enough room for George,  their golden retriever and unofficial local celebrity.

“When we moved out here, we got a lot more bang for buck.”

But it’s the community they talk about most.

“The people are lovely and we’ve made some very good friends.”

Over time, their laneway has become its own little community. Friday night drinks happen regularly, neighbours bring a plate and everyone looks out for each other.

“The other week, we just sent the message out to our laneway neighbours. It was a Friday night, and they came over for a drink.”

For Dianne and Paul, it reminds them of the way communities used to feel growing up.

“The community is really based on people looking out for each other. I think this subdivision is sort of bringing it back a little bit.”

That feeling of connection became even more special when the couple decided to get married at home in Paerata Rise. What started as a relaxed backyard wedding quickly turned into a packed summer celebration with family, friends and neighbours filling the house and garden.

“We got married here, we must have had about 80 odd people there”

Even their celebrant, Mabel, lived locally within the community.

Life has changed in smaller ways too. Paul still works in East Tamaki, but these days he starts his mornings with coffee, the paper and a long walk with George before heading into work later on.

“This gives me time in the morning to get up about 6am, paper, take the dog for a walk for an hour.”

Dianne now works locally within Paerata Rise itself.

“Well, I have the luxury of living and working within Paerata Rise, so seriously my commute is three minutes.”

And then there’s George.

“He’s got a bit of a reputation around Paerata Rise and people know George and his name probably more so than Paul and I.”

Known around the neighbourhood for his famous “golden tanties”, George has become part of how Dianne and Paul met many of their neighbours.

“He is known for his golden tanties and when he doesn’t get to go his way he will sit down and won’t move.”

Three years on, it’s the little things they love most about life at Paerata Rise, neighbours stopping for chats, impromptu drinks in the lane and the feeling that life has become just that little bit easier.

Or, as Paul puts it… “oh, I’m home.”