From Vision to Village: The Story of Pakuranga Park
Back in 1985, when Real Living’s first retirement village was being built, the very idea of a “retirement village” in New Zealand was still groundbreaking. That bold vision shaped Real Living’s philosophy from day one: creating places where older people could live with dignity, purpose, and companionship.
Even today, visitors are struck by the charm of Pakuranga Park’s village feel — not cookie-cutter properties, but distinctive homes and gardens that give the village its warmth and character.
Village Manager Christian Pulley explains:
“Our founder had a scale model of the village and carefully moved the villas around until each one had the right outlook, the right amount of sunshine, and a sense of variation.”
From those early beginnings, our East Auckland village has grown to include 191 villas, 70 independent apartments, 28 serviced apartments, and 40 hospital-level care beds. Spread across 30 acres alongside school fields, the village feels open and spacious. Each stage of development has been carefully planned, leaving open green areas and making Pakuranga Park an oasis in the Howick Borough.
Ray, who moved here six years ago, loves the space his villa provides — including a dedicated room for his model railroads.
“This is the only village that has streets you can find on a New Zealand road map! I love that it has the right balance of independence and community. Your neighbours are there if you need them, but they’re not in your pocket.”
Every morning, Village Manager Christian Pulley walks around the village to connect with residents.
“I’m lucky to come here every day and spend time with such a great group of people.”
It’s not only residents who value village life — families notice the benefits too. Darnelle, whose mother Annie moved into an apartment almost two years ago, says the move has given her peace of mind.
“Mum is loving it! Everyone has been so friendly and inviting, encouraging her to join monthly get-togethers, weekly happy hours, op shop outings, winery visits, and more. She’s so busy that we need to book an appointment to see her!”
Real Living has been proudly family-owned for 40 years. That independence means we’re not driven by corporate targets — we’re guided by what matters most to our residents. As Christian puts it:
“People here are down to earth. This is their home, not a resort. I see retirement villages as a place for residents to find their why — a new sense of purpose when they join the community. They may be retired, but they’re still looking for fulfilment in this new chapter of their lives.”
With just 400 residents, Pakuranga Park is a close-knit community where staff know everyone by name. The management team is guided by the core values of Caring, Integrity, Gratitude, and Community. These principles shape how staff engage with residents and form the foundation of our work. We believe that’s what makes village life so rewarding for our community.
If you would like to know more about our community and the activities we offer, we’d love to hear from you! Feel free to call Cathy on 027 314 5767
or email cathy.mckenzie@realliving.co.nz
