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September 12 - 2017
KAIPARA LIFESTYLER
Settling in new surroundings In it for the long haul u by Joanna Manson
u by Anna Harding
John Pickworth and Donna Shadick moved to the outskirts of Dargaville at the end of last year after more than a decade based at Tomarata, and Lifestyler caught up with them to see how they had found the switch from east to west Kaipara.
Cherie and Chris Frost moved to Kaipara with their two children, Luke 16 and Grace 11, in March. Again, the Kaipara Lifestyler gets to know some of our latest residents.
p John Pickworth and wife, Donna Shadick, enjoying their shift to the West Coast
p New Kaipara residents and Wai Hou Oma lodge owners, Chris and Cherie Frost, in front of their lake
Donna says: “The shift has been great, we really like it and have really settled in.” The couple are often busy with the Dargaville Arts Association, and Donna has taken up learning an instrument with the local ukulele group. “There’s always an opportunity to do things with people around here — everyone’s so friendly and very welcoming in a group,” she says. “We like to drive around all the rural roads so we’ve had a really good look around the area now. We’ve been to Donnelly’s Crossing, Waipoua Forest and up to Rawene — it’s really lovely driving up through the kauri forest.”
After living on a lifestyle block in rural South Auckland for the last 14 years “we just decided that we needed a change of pace and change of lifestyle for us and the children,” said Cherie. “It’s much better value up here so we sold everything up and headed north. We just knew we wanted to get out of Auckland.” They ended up finding the seven-acre Wai Hou Oma lodge, opposite the Kai Iwi Lakes and haven’t looked back. They have also just bought a new block of land — 30 acres at Mamaranui to raise a few stock on. “We’re really pleased to be here and we’re finding everybody very welcoming,”
Husband John says they are both “excited” about the completion of Donna’s new art studio. “We’ve done some renovations and improvements around the house and found the local trades people to be excellent and also very helpful,” says John. Over this time they have also realised “the simple convenience of the township makes life easy — we have everything we need here and you can park anywhere.” If you’re thinking about making the move their advice to those pondering the decision is to “just do it — we’re very happy with our decision.” ¢
ADVERTORIAL
Dargaville Funeral Services Husband and wife team Bruce and Jessica Young are opening Dargaville Funeral Services after many years of combined experience working in the Funeral industry. Moving to Dargaville four years ago the couple have enjoyed living in the area and are looking forward to opening up their business next week. "I've been involved in the industry since 1984 after leaving the Navy. I've worked for a number of funeral homes around the country starting off my career in Rotorua and ending up here." said Bruce. Jessica started in 2010 after working as a vet-nurse in Auckland. The business is based from their home to keep the overall cost to families down. Although they don't embalm, they do use cool room facilities for preservation. They feel this is sufficient and more ecological friendly. "We're very aware after all these years in the industry how expensive funerals have become. Our point of difference is we provide a first class service without the first class price, your locally owned and operated funeral service," said Jessica. She says having spent the last few years in the area has given them an idea of the services Dargaville wants and how best to facilitate the families needs.
said Cherie. Chris added “in Mamaranui we’ve been down to the local bowling club on a Friday night to meet the locals and have a chat and they’re really nice people.” Chris is an electrician by trade and is currently working at Silver Fern Farms, doing maintenance. The couple had both been to the Kai Iwi Lakes before, with Cherie coming as a child in the school holidays. They never imagined they’d someday live next to them. “The plan is to upgrade the lodges as we can afford to do it. We’ve got big plans for the place. We are here for the long haul.” ¢
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The business also promotes pre-arranging funerals. "We really want to promote this service it as it saves the family stress at a difficult time." Dargaville Funeral services offers caring, compassionate and dignified services at affordable prices. "We'd like to ask the public to give us an opportunity to offer a no obligation consultation and price estimation," said Bruce. Jessica and Bruce can be contacted 24/7 at 09 439 8016 or for more information visit www.dargavillefuneralservices.co.nz.
JoinJoin us for afor Join usfor us aa Memory Walk Join us for aWalk Memory Walk Memory Walk thisMemory September this September this September this September
Dargaville Dargaville Dargaville
Whakatane Saturday 23 September 2017 Saturday 23 September 2017 Saturday 23 September 2017 Sunday 24 September 2017 10.30am at Countdown 10.30am at Countdown 10.30am at Countdown 2pm at Whakatane carpark, Dargaville carpark, Dargaville Amphitheatre, carpark, along theDargaville Warren Cole Walkway
To To register, visit: alzheimers.org.nz/memorywalk, or call 0800 004 001 004 001 register, visit: alzheimers.org.nz/memorywalk, or call 0800
To register, visit: alzheimers.org.nz/memorywalk, or call 0800 004 001 To register, visit: alzheimers.org.nz/memorywalk, or call 0800 004 001