Lots of great places to live in Shirley and Papanui

The Shirley/Papanui Wards boast a lot of great places to live, according to local residents. The Shirley/Papanui Community Board has commissioned a number of pieces of research over its last two terms in office.

The latest of these pieces of research shows a high level of satisfaction with living in Shirley.

Residents have said:
"I like the way we stick together and stuff. Everyone is like one big family."

"I always call Shirley my home, that’s why I moved back here. I llike it."

"There is a far better community spirit here. We have an active neighbourhood watch and good community spirit."

"We know most of the people and most of the faces in our street, in our block, so that’s very helpful, good communication and good neighbourhood support."

"It is a friendly relaxing neighbourhood, and the cost of living is much lower than in Auckland." "People actually do things for their neighbours such as taking them to the hospital."

"It is like living in a small town. We have a good mix of people from two income couples, single parents, students, Asians, Polynesians and Somalians. It feels like a real community."

Recently a Network of agencies and community groups operating within Shirley has been set up. This Network exists to help co-ordinate the activities of these groups, to share information and get to know who else is working in the community. Three Network meetings have so far been held with 30 to 40 people in attendance each time.

This number indicates high level of support for activities, programmes and services in the Shirley area and a commitment to working with each other for the benefit of the whole community.

Residents in other areas have also stated how much they enjoy living there. For example:
Belfast: "Friendly community, people speak to you on the streets, even the young people are friendly".
Redwood: "Most people don’t want to leave... they feel very settled... it is a positive area".
Brooklands: "Like the proximity to the Waimakariri River and the coast, and the open space offers a wide range of recreation opportunities."

Top of Page