CASE IN POINT

For a suburb that’s less than a decade old, the sense of community and belonging is fierce,

Hobsonville Point, one of Auckland’s first masterplanned communities, turned 167ha of former New Zealand Defence Force land on the edge of the upper Waitemata¯ Harbour into a suburb which will eventually house 11,000 people.

Design began in 2007, when space and housing in Auckland was at a premium, and the first residents moved in five years later. Ultimately, there will be thousands of houses, 13 parks over 24ha, streets, public transport links, two schools, clean waterways — and a sense of a connected community.

Who lives there?

A range of multi-storey apartment blocks (with shops and cafes at street level), lowrise terraces and town houses, as well as a dozen renovated 1940s heritage villas, house young families, singles and retirees of a multicultural mix.

Property prices start at $483,000 for a studio apartment, $522,500 for a one-bedroom unit, with houses ranging from sub-$1 million to over $2 million.

What do they do?

Community Trust youth worker Gavin Gunston, one of the first to move to the area, says the suburb is home to walking groups, men’s groups, biking groups, dog-walking groups, yoga classes, composting courses, whiskey and poker nights, and art and photo clubs. The free te Reo classes are all booked out and Diwali celebrations are being planned. A green-fingered group has re-established a community garden with helpyourself herbs and fruit.

Gunston says families are often out taking in the fresh air or grabbing a bite to eat at one of the many sausage sizzles that pop up. People sit in their front yards in nice weather, just for a chance to catch up with neighbours. An incredible 98.5 per cent of residents say Hobsonville Point is a great place to live.

What’s to love?

The Farmers Market, opened in 2011, has moved into its permanent spot by the wharf at Catalina Bay. It’s open three days a week and at night during summer. Whatever the weather, it’s always packed. New cafebistro Fabric is already exciting foodies and critics and shows sophistication isn't the preserve of the inner-city.

Catalina Cafe is probably the coolest kids’ playground-meetssculpture in Auckland (by John Reynolds). Public art is a thing here: great sculptures by artists such as Virginia King and Louise Purvis — many designed for climbing. Casual street-side playgrounds (the water fountain is fun) draw kids, while shops on the ground floor of the suburb’s apartment blocks lure adults.

The new community centre — a renovated art deco beauty— is booking classes and parties, while the Rifle Range amphitheatre is perfect for summer concerts. The final section of boardwalk around the coast from the market to the village just opened.

Architecture buffs can admire the mixture of styles from big-name design firms (Stevens Lawson, Bossley, Sils van Bohemen) and pick up sustainable design ideas, while gardeners can admire how planting has minimised pressure on storm water. There’s even an annual sustainability audit (along with Facebook pages, newsletters and a glossy magazine).

Mustn’t grumble

A ferry trial to add weekend trips to and from the city is proving popular. And Auckland Transport has boosted the number of weekday sailings.