74 | DEVELOPMENT Paerata Rise - Grafton Downs Karen Phelps Community living at Paerata Rise Membership of the Residents’ Association is compulsory for all those living in Paerata Rise. Residents elect an executive who puts on events, looks after the community social media page and helps liaise between residents. A strong interactive community is forming at Paerata Rise as the cornerstone of the development, says developer Grafton Downs executive director Chris Johnston. “In some parts of Auckland you live in a house and don’t know your neighbours. At Paerata Rise interaction with your neighbours is everything – people know each other and look out for each other. Paerata Rise is the difference between living in a place and living in a community.” At present there are around 1000 residents living in Paerata Rise. When completed that number will swell to 18,000. Membership of the Residents’ Association is compulsory for all those living in Paerata Rise. Residents elect an executive who puts on events, looks after the community social media page and helps liaise between residents, says Chris. The cafe made with containers shipped up from Christchurch when the Garden City’s successful post-earthquake container mall was dismantled has become an important gathering point. Plans are being worked through right now with council for a retail centre at the entrance to Paerata Rise. This will include a small boutique supermarket and other supporting retail. The rail station is also imminent. Work has started to put in an extra line and electrification from Papakura to Pukekohe. Two new stations – one on our boundary and one in Drury will form a part of the project. Coupled with the central rail loop in Auckland Central there will be efficiency of public transport for people to travel easily from Paerata Rise to Auckland City. Chris says that Paerata Rise is different because of its history. Grafton Downs Ltd is a charitable company within the Methodist Church of New Zealand and is guiding the development of Paerata Rise. Chris says that it is founded on the same community-based spirit and values as Wesley College, which will form part of Paerata Rise. Wesley College is New Zealand’s oldest registered secondary school and has been providing quality education and opportunity for students whose family and personal circumstances require special care since 1844. Wesley College is a state integrated school with the state operating the education aspect of the college and The Wesley College Trust Board providing the buildings and subsidising the boarding house. Chris says a key driver of the development of Paerata Rise was to provide a sustainable way to fund its contribution to the college into the future and a new college building will be constructed as part of Paerata Rise. Spread over 300ha Paerata Rise will consist “In some parts of Auckland you live in a house and don’t know your neighbours. At Paerata Rise interaction with your neighbours is everything – people know each other and look out for each other.” of up to 4500 new homes. Pukekohe town centre is five minutes’ drive from Paerata Rise and contains boutique shopping, cafes, an art gallery, medical services, cinema, library and transport links to central Auckland. Chris says that opportunities to build a new home in Paerata Rise abound and that many people don’t realise how affordable an option it is compared with buying an existing home. “At Paerata Rise they can build a brand new home that suits them and their lifestyle from families to those who are downsizing and building a forever home.” He says that some people looking to retire are selling up in Auckland and getting much more bang for their buck in Paerata Rise. The new Jennian showhome – a two-storey home with a lift - demonstrates what is possible in terms of future proofing a home. Stage 8 of Paerata Rise just released and stage 9 is well under construction and due for release early to mid 2023. A portion of sections are ‘affordable housing’ linked to 75% of the Auckland median house price. Chris says that the Paerata Rise is showcasing the natural landscape of the local area and amenities will provide opportunities for education, work and fun and community green spaces will continue to facilitate interaction. There will be cycle paths, walkways and 5ha of neighbourhood reserves. “It’s about creating something of benefit to the community and the wider local area. The Trust is very clear that Paerata Rise will uphold the values of putting people and community first. Establishing a vibrant, supportive community and focusing on what people need in their home surroundings is front and centre of Paerata Rise. “ It’s incredibly exciting to be at the forefront of developing an anchor for a new city in the area and is something we take very seriously and want to look back on with pride for many years to come. The emphasis at Paerata Rise will always be on creating a community that every member feels invested in and is proud to live in.”
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