May 9 2017
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Kaipara
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New energy in town u by Anna Harding
Two historic buildings in Dargaville have recently been bought by newcomers to the region as an evident influx into the Kaipara district continues.
A bright new future
Paralympic medalist Emma Foy recently shook hands with the Prime Minister …
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Awards for hospital staff
The Dargaville Hospital celebrated its inaugural Quality and Service Awards …
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Addressing business The Dargaville Business Forum wants the wider public to know it is open to anyone interested …
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The Commercial Hotel and the Norfolk Court rest home have new owners, as the latest Quotation Value (QV) index showed a rise of 8.6 in Kaipara property values attributed to a migration northwards from Auckland. Chairman of the Dargaville Business forum, Peter Boyd, said that “we have heard and are starting to notice an increase in interest from the Auckland market, looking to invest in the area of commercial property. It’s a step in the right direction to get new investors and we need to keep that momentum up. It brings new energy into town.” John and Linda Wade from Auckland have recently taken over Norfolk Court Home and Hospital. John has a long history of working in health including aged care and working for the Northland District Health Board. They chose to buy a Dargaville business as it’s where their interests lie and it’s in a area they love. “We love Northland, so we were looking for a way to get back up and this provided that opportunity. The main drive is we want to provide a good service for the community and we think we can do that. We’re here for the long haul,” said John. Husband and wife Anne and Calin Grigoreanu became the official owners of the Commercial Hotel last week. The couple, also from Auckland, are looking forward to “getting out of the rat race and having some peace and quiet,” said Anne. For the last five years Anne has been looking after her elderly mother
p Anne Grigoreanu, Pam Kelly and Peter Kelly, the new and former owners in front of the historic Commercial Hotel in Dargaville
and being a grandmother. Calin works at the GAPO recycling centre in Auckland, but is looking for new prospects in Dargaville. Before taking on this project, the couple have hosted international students in their Auckland home, so they look forward to meeting and hosting travellers through the hotel. Anne has family in the area, a connection which drew her to the district. “This building reminds me of my grandmother and my mother. It’s in the north, which is where my father is from.” They plan to keep it as a bed and breakfast, but she
also has new ideas including an open fire pit and renovating a cottage in the back yard. “We are looking forward to something new, that involves people and the community.” Even though they’ll miss the area, former owners, Peter and Anne Kelly said “this building needs someone younger to keep it going. “We want to thank Dargaville for all the support we’ve been given and we hope they carry on supporting [the new owners].”
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