Making the move to Magical Mangawhai
The glistening waters of Mangawhai are a big draw for people wanting to leave the rat race behind.
Following the Kaipara District Council’s botched wastewater scheme, rates went up by 50 per cent for some properties in the seaside town.
But this hasn’t stopped Aucklanders wanting to escape big city stresses.
They’ve swapped the city life for the surf, sand dunes and picturesque estuary of the town dubbed ‘Magical’.
The exodus saw the Kaipara town at number eight on a list of top 20 Auckland property hotspots for house price growth in the twelve months to February. The average house price rose 31 per cent to $637,000.
Chantelle Campbell thought her husband was crazy when he suggested moving their family to Mangawhai.
They had renovated and sold their home in Torbay and were house hunting.
She thought she could never leave her family and friends in
‘‘I love it. The beaches, people, amazing community and schools.’’
the area she and her husband grew up in with the social life, shops, restaurants and great schools her family enjoyed.
But after her ‘hundredth’ open home she agreed.
After living a year in Mangawhai, Campbell said it was the best decision ever and she couldn’t imagine leaving.
‘‘I love it. The beaches, people, amazing community and schools.
Campbell says her two boys love it, too, and she has started her own business, Food by Chantelle, doing cooking lessons, demonstrations and catering.
Chris Rhodes moved his family to the area full time two years ago.
Originally from Tauranga, he returned to New Zealand from Tokyo with his partner Miko and children Shia and Meila, after 12 years abroad.
The two wanted to live in rural New Zealand to raise their family, and were attracted to Northland or the further northern reaches of Auckland.
‘‘I’ve always thought it’s untouched nature - and good value for money,’’ Rhodes said.
They built their garage first, then lived in it while Rhodes built the house.
Rhodes works with a beekeeper in Kaiwaka, his children go to Mangawhai Kindy and Before Six Mangawhai and number three is on the way.
‘‘We absolutely love living up here.’’