Most Sundays you’ll find our little whānau at the beach. We’re spoilt for choice in Whangārei Heads. When our little ones wake up before 6am and we’re struggling to open our eyes, sometimes the best way to kick start the day is to get into the Hilux and head for Ocean Beach. It's best to get there just as the sun rises, when the top car park is still empty. 

At high tide our closest bay, Taurikura, becomes almost like a swimming pool. Usually peaceful and calm, and only a few minutes down the road where the metal becomes tar seal again. We can pull up, take ten steps and be in the ocean. The kids love playing in the sand at the water's edge which is often sheltered by the shade of mature Pohutukawa trees. It’s my favourite place to swim. 

When the wind is blowing from the south and whipping up the harbour, we can head off towards Taihururu or Pataua South. Or take the 15 minute journey around the road to the beach that we look out to from our place – Kauri Mountain beach. A 4WD is best for the tricky access across farmland to a makeshift car park at the top of a cliff. A steep staircase leads down to an expansive surf beach with views of Te Whara. 

After our beach adventure we come home, rinse off in the outdoor shower and settle in for a day at home that, if we’re lucky, will include naps for everyone. We are so lucky to live where people go on holiday, so we tend to stay home over the summer. 

For us, Sunday rituals are all about rest and reenergizing for the week. There’s always a long list of property jobs to tackle, but during the summer we’ve been activating ‘holiday mode’ on the weekends. We pretend we’re away for the weekend, put the to do list aside and allow ourselves to rest and enjoy where we live.