Philipp Meier’s Te Kanohi O Te Manu Corten steel slide-sculpture at Harrier Point
“Ka mua, ka muri”. The Māori proverb that means “walking backwards into the future” has guided our thinking for Hobsonville Point since the beginning; the idea that we should look to the past to inform the future.
Ten years ago, in the first issue of Point Life magazine, we shared some bold promises on where we were headed. Our commitment for Hobsonville Point was to follow urban design best practice principles, including high-quality, well-designed homes, with plenty of open space and amenity. But even more important to us were the intangible things; that all members of our community feel safe, supported, have a sense of belonging, a voice that counts and that they enjoy living at Hobsonville Point. We printed that commitment on the pages of a magazine then, and we reflect on it now, 10 years on.
How do we measure this intangible ‘community spirit’, then? Perhaps the COVID-19 pandemic holds some of the answers. In 2020 when New Zealand descended into lockdown, we saw an entire community mobilise to support each other during a time of crisis. Whether it was checking in on the vulnerable, preparing homeschooling kits for families, or providing support to essential workers, the community response in Hobsonville Point was extraordinary. We want to thank you; every person, couple, and family that has moved here and contributes to the sense of community that breathes life into Hobsonville Point every day.
In this special 10th issue, we look back on people who have featured in the pages of Point Life over the years and find out how they’re enjoying the neighbourhood now. Children have grown up, businesses have grown bigger, people have moved homes, and some have moved on. Read more about their stories on page 6. In March year we were preparing for the official opening of the Didsbury Art Trail, another fantastic addition to the neighbourhood for residents and visitors to enjoy. On page 18 you can read more about Richard Didsbury’s vision for connecting people to place through public art, and then hit the trail using our handy map in the magazine. As we look back on 10 years, we’re pleased to see our development plans realised in so many exciting and sometimes unexpected ways. Hobsonville Point can no longer lay claim to being the city’s newest township, but we are delighted that it remains a very special part of Auckland, and we warmly invite you to come and enjoy it.
