Life’s a beach
A lifestyle village with an increasingly admired business model welcomed its first residents at Waihi Beach
A lifestyle village with an increasingly admired business model welcomed its first residents at Waihi Beach.
Words Monique Balvert-O’Connor | Photos Alan Gibson
Recently Waihi Beach became home to its own Karaka Pines Village, the seventh in the country operating under a model focussed on fairness to investing residents – who keep the capital gains made on their property when they decide to sell their village dwelling.
Located at the north end of Waihi Beach, and only an eight-minute stroll to the ocean, Karaka Pines’ latest village will feature 96 premium homes.
The first part of stage one of the development is completed, with 12 dwellings constructed and selling fast. The first residents moved in over May, with the initial three homes occupied by Waihi Beach locals who are thrilled with the opportunity to live in a retirement village within their beach community. And they’re enjoying the growing community at the village itself.
Karaka Pines Villages chief executive Adam Yates says open days were held in June, with enthusiastic interest coming from further afield too, mainly from Auckland, the Waikato and Coromandel.
There are still opportunities to buy one of the first homes on site, and now is a good time to visit the village and potentially stake an interest. The next builds will get underway at the earliest opportunity, Adam says.
Tucked away in a sunny, protected valley, Karaka Pines Village is sited on what was farmland. The village is located on Browns Drive, spans 5.12 hectares, and neighbours residential streets and a council reserve.
The village’s brick and tile houses come with either two or three bedrooms, offer either a single or double garage, and feature an ensuite as well as main bathroom. Houses are either standalone or duplexes. The homes range in price from a two-bedroom, two-bathroom, single garage duplex at $1.1 million to $1.4 million for a three-bedroom, two-bathroom, double garage standalone dwelling.
Spacious apartments also feature on the village plan (with parking included), as does a clubhouse, which will include a pool complex, wellness centre, and well-stocked library – but for now, a temporary clubhouse is currently being enjoyed by residents and friends. The apartment plans show two-storied buildings with a patio providing alfresco dining opportunities for ground-floor residents, and balconies serving the same purpose one floor up.
Karaka Pines Villages operate under an independent living model, although for peace of mind each home is equipped with an emergency call button that is monitored 24/7.
The Karaka Pines operating model has been admired and trusted for many years. There are Karaka Pines Villages in Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua and Christchurch, led by Tauranga’s Kempton Park, which was the first to open about 12 years ago.
Each village has its own special character, but they all have one thing in common: All are vibrant communities where like-minded people enjoy living as they choose, secure in the knowledge that their capital gain is protected.
“Like all properties that come under the Karaka Pines Villages umbrella, when the time comes for owners of the Waihi Beach dwellings to sell, they are the ones who will benefit from the capital gain in their homes, not the management. We think that’s only fair,” Adam says.
In fact, a recently released research report (by Janine Starks at moneytips.nz) on New Zealand retirement village costs found that Karaka Pines residents receive back 99 percent more capital on death/exit than those with the country’s “big six” retirement village operators.
Adding to Karaka Pines’ financial security equation is the fact residents have the chance to opt for a fixed fee for life. That fee (it can be variable, if preferred) covers outside maintenance, insurance and rates. This way residents can have a very clear vision of their financial state, Adam explains.
Karaka Pines Villages specialise in independent living, but because of their financial structure – particularly its capital gains model – people moving on to assisted living, for example, are more likely to be able to afford to do so.
“We value our residents and want them to own their financial future,” Adam is proud to say. “We see the village as the residents’ village. We are resident-centred, and want our residents to feel like they own the place. After all, we only work there – they have to live there.”
Adam explains that it’s important for Karaka Pines Villages staff to live the ethos that it’s not their job to make their own jobs easy, but to make the residents’ lives easier. “We do things for people, not to people,” he says. “We look for moments of ‘I see you’ – seeing each of our residents as independent individuals and supporting them to live their best lives through our words and actions.”
Adam and his team are proud to offer a retirement living model that concentrates firmly on fairness.
Those keen to check out what’s developing can visit the village and tour the show home. Touch base with the village manager on 027 223 8822 or click on the website tab to send an email enquiry. People can also subscribe to the Karaka Pines newsletter, via the website, for updates.
karakapines.co.nz
Eat, drink, beach, repeat
The foodie scene in Waihi Beach is just as impressive as the stunning sandy shores.
The foodie scene in Waihi Beach is just as impressive as the stunning sandy shores.
Words Hayley Barnett
Small New Zealand beach towns aren’t usually known for their kai. Seafood, maybe, but even then it’s typically deep-fried in batter and had every nutrient eliminated in the process.
Waihi Beach is a little different. There may only be a handful of eateries, but you can guarantee you won’t walk away disappointed.
Dine in style while overlooking the water at Flatwhite, enjoy the ambiance of the Mexican hideaway that is The Secret Garden, enjoy classic Kiwiana meals at Surf Shack Eatery, or head further out for an incredible meal and experience at The Falls in the Karangahake Gorge.
Read on to discover an eatery to suit your tastes and needs, and a top spot to rest your head, found on booking.com
FLATWHITE
In New Zealand, for some mind-boggling reason, it’s hard to find a restaurant on the beach with views, so it’s a nice surprise when one is situated right in the middle of stunning Waihi Beach. Serving up brunch, lunch and dinner seven days a week, it’s a perfect spot to drop by after a long beach walk. Dining at nighttime may mean you miss the views, but the food and dining experience means it’s often packed out on the weekends, even during the winter, so make sure to book.
THE FALLS
If you haven’t heard of The Falls, you must be living under a rock or off the grid, which is exactly how you’ll feel when you visit this near-self-sufficient space offering unique dining experiences, workshops and functions. Showcasing local and homegrown produce and set inside a barn-like room with open beams and a cosy fireplace, they offer incredible seasonal food, much of which is grown right there next to the kitchen. Diners can wander around the gardens, and then head into the shop – a cute little food store where you can buy some of the delectable delights that feature on the menu.
The garden-to-table ethos was the idea of couple Brad King and Emma Walters back when they opened in 2011. They both enjoyed cooking simple, seasonal soul food and wanted to share their passion in a piece of forested paradise just above Owharoa Falls.
Today they’re kept busy hosting numerous dining experiences focused on sustainability, as well as cooking classes, gardening courses and plenty of weddings.
SURF SHACK EATERY
On your way out of Waihi Beach, along Emerton Road, there sits an old cottage which is easy to miss. The house itself isn’t much to look at, but once inside, the smells emanating from the kitchen will immediately put you at ease. The food is unpretentious and the huge dishes will cure any sized hangover. This is simple Kiwi fare at its best. They claim to have the best burgers in New Zealand and, despite not ordering a burger, I’d believe them. The Streaky Bacon Butty is a diner favourite but if you’re looking to fill a bigger gap, the award-winning “Full Kiwi” breakfast will certainly do the trick. There’s a kids’ menu to keep the little ones happy and a bunch of delicious salad choices for the health freaks.
RABBIT MOON
If you’re after a good coffee in a sunny spot, look out for a cute cottage next to the Info Centre in the Waihi Beach shops. Rabbit Moon offers up homemade baking like pies and quiches, as well as bagels, toasties and crepes. It’s a great place to have breakfast before hitting the shops next door.
@rabbitmooncafe
THE SECRET GARDEN
Heading into The Secret Garden, I wasn't sure what to expect. We walked past a few times before realising this place was something special. In that respect, you could say this is Waihi Beach’s best-kept secret.
The restaurant and bar is nestled amongst the shops in the beachside township and offers a cosy hideaway with some of the best Mexican food you’ll find in the Bay. As you walk in through the Balinese-style garden, what looks like a little stone walkway transforms into a quirky, bustling bar, complete with retro lounge room, DJ corner and a huge plant-filled oasis out the back.
The cocktail menu alone will impress those who love a good tipple, and the Mexican fare feels authentic and tastes delicious.
We sank into the comfortable couch, sinking our feet into the pebble flooring, and people-watched for hours, which is not the experience you expect in Waihi Beach on a cold winter’s night. But that’s what's so great about this place. It’s a home away from home, but with the added bonus of some culture and a party vibe any time of year. This is also the local hangout for music fans and musicians, with events happening on the regular.
secretgardenwaihibeach
BEACH PACIFIC APARTMENTS
When searching for a place to stay in Waihi Beach we wanted somewhere near the water that was central to everything we needed. Cue Beach Pacific Apartments, which popped up on Booking.com immediately, with a coveted “superb” rating. In hindsight, the location didn’t matter all that much. We could have happily looked after ourselves in the huge self-contained apartment, but that would have meant missing out on the culinary awesomeness of Waihi Beach.
Located smack in the middle of town, its central location is perfect for strolling around the shops, to the beach and up into the hills for a great view of the coast.
Equipped with an outdoor private spa, we made use of the outside spaces, including a vast deck with views of the township. The apartment itself was incredibly spacious – three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, dining space and lounge area. There were a few apartments to choose from, varying in size, but this snap rooftop decision was definitely the right choice. It would suit families or a few couples looking to make the most of the eateries and shops.
It was a shame we only stayed for two nights. We easily could have stayed, well, forever.
Hayley stayed at Beach Pacific Apartments courtesy of BOOKING.COM