| |
New Zealand > Waikato
> Coromandel > Pauanui
By Jessica Lloyd
Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
 Not quite, but almost. Pauanui is locally known as the Poshville of the
Coromandel. With an airfield, golf course, and high rates, this little slice of
paradise is reserved for those with the means – exclusivity is the selling
point. This tends to make it a little sleepier, but a lot better kept than many
of its neighbours. The rates ensure that the roads are kept extremely tidy,
lawns are always mowed and ‘riff raff’ is kept to a minimum.
It is a very busy and fun place to be in summer. It’s just over the hill from
Tairua, and about a 40-minute drive from Thames. It isn’t far to travel from
Auckland or Hamilton (about 2 hours). If you are lucky enough to be doing it by
plane, the trip is about 30 minutes from Auckland airport.
What’s to do?
The Coromandel Peninsula is one of the most beautiful spots in New Zealand, and
the settlement of Pauanui is no exception. There is the usual array of
summertime fun activities – anything using a boat, fishing line, flippers or a
board. On land, there are walking treks, camping, and plenty of gold mining and
logging history if that floats your boat. There is also the upside of having an
18-hole golf course at your disposal.
If you happen to be staying at a beautiful resort such as Puka Park, or Pauanui
Lake Resort, you could do resorty-type things like get a massage or spa
treatment, have a game of tennis, or do some yoga. A fun thing to do for free is
go and check out the glow-worms – essential Kiwi viewing, especially if you have
never seen them before. Even on repeat outings, these little bugs glowing their
little tails off will instil a sense of wonder.
Nightlife, Food, and Drink
The range is exactly what you would expect of a small seaside village on the
Coromandel Peninsula, but with a few added extras – takeaways (pizza, fish and
chips), restaurant and bar, bottleshop, supermarket, shopping centre. Everything
you need, right? Depending on where you are staying, there may be other options
open to you which are not available to just anyone.
Accommodation
 There are four very classy resorts to stay in, or perhaps you are considering
purchasing a section and holiday home here? I daren’t call them good old kiwi
baches, because they just aren’t. Don’t worry, there are a couple of B&B’s, and
a camping ground. Plus some motels, apartments, homestays, farmstays and yes,
good old kiwi baches! Don’t expect too much to come cheap, and please note that
there is no backpackers hostel here. That is not Pauanui style. It was not
designed for people on a budget.
We recommend the
Mercure
Grand Puka Park Resort - Situated amid 25
acres of New Zealand's most beautiful landscape. Overlooking the spectacular
Coromandel coast our charming private chalets nestle among native trees to
capture the beauty and spirit of our heartland. This unique location is an
inspired choice for anyone seeking privacy and seclusion for leisure or
business.
The People
 Locals are mostly on the older side, and many are retirees enjoying the last of
their days in their own little slice of paradise. In summer, the crowd
diversifies into all sorts, but somewhat lacks the young and restless – there
are far better places to cause trouble and go wild than Pauanui. The neighbours
are all very conscientious and will have no qualms about reporting any ‘odd’
behaviour to the police. It is a very family-orientated place, with the sunshine
bringing people back into their designer holiday homes for the Christmas and New
Year period, then flying back off to wherever home is.
Pauanui is the only place on the Peninsula to have resorts, and it boasts not
just one, but four. This speaks volumes about the sort of people who holiday
here, and adds to the exclusivity of this destination. In saying that, despite
many expecting international guests, Pauanui has plenty of ordinary Kiwi’s
lapping up the sun and dewdrops.
Pauanui is exclusive, and they would like to keep it that way.
|
|
|
|
