Hobsonville Point visited

I have been to Hobsonville to check out the new home of Paul, my oldest son.

Paul recently shifted into a newly-built three bedroom apartment in Grey Warbler Road.  Hobsonville Point is about 40 km west of the Auckland CBD. Non-peak travelling time is about 25 minutes.

It is an appealing new town sited on a former RNZAF Base and jutting into the upper Waitemata Harbour. It is believed to be named after New Zealand’s first governor, William Hobson. Streets and contemporary features are named after birds, fish, and one-time military sites. Quirky decorative street features include bird-feeding boxes. Buildings comply to a colour scheme.

The air base had its origins in 1924 when land was put aside for sea and land-based aviation. Hobsonville maintained TEAL (former name of Air New Zealand) flying boats until they were retired in 1967. The Air Force relocated to nearby Whenuapai in 2001 and 167 ha were rezoned to become a compact town.

Presently Hobsonville Point has 3000 residents. More than 1600 dwellings have e been sold. Average price is $730,000. 11,000 dwellings are expected to be completed by 2023.

 Recreation has been included with several ks of walking and cycling tracks around the point.  Catalina Bay, named after a twin-engine amphibious flying boat, is a community hub with transport, farmer’s market and other facilities. The ferry wharf has displays depicting local history along with notes on wildlife. Hobsonville Point was originally favoured with kauri forests. Hobsonville ventures in the planning include development of over-water dining in Catalina Bay. Already, schools, parks and sophisticated playgrounds are providing the necessary infrastructure for families.

For myself, I approve of a town of modern design cosy structures in a location with a get-away-from-it -all atmosphere. Another plus is Hudsonville’s proximity to the generously-forested Waitakere hills and their associated impressively-wild western coastline.