My Auckland: Mairangi Bay

Theresa Stanley in front of the Mairangi Bay Surf Life Saving Club. Photo / Richard Robinson

Water safety advocate Teresa Stanley tells Rebecca Kamm why she enjoys living in the seaside suburb of Mairangi Bay.

A great thing about living in Mairangi Bay is leaving work behind at the end of the day by crossing the bridge. The North Shore has a relaxed atmosphere, and Mairangi Bay especially has a real holiday feel to it.

I've lived here for six years, but I've spent plenty of time living on the North Shore. I moved here from Albany, as it's a bit closer to the city for my work. It's also equidistant to all the pools and beaches where the children swim and train for water polo and surfing. It's close to Massey University, too, and some great schools: Campbells Bay Primary, Murrays Bay Intermediate and Rangitoto College. They have excellent facilities and caring teachers with high expectations. Murrays Bay Intermediate, especially, has led the way in using technology for developing well-rounded individuals.

My favourite shopping spots in the area are the farmers market on Saturdays, for fresh fruit and vegetables. Farro Fresh is great for meat and fruit and vegetables too, and there's a great sushi shop called Hiroba Sushi.

I go to Paper Moon for coffee; it's a treat to grab one on my way to work in the morning. It's good for evening drinks, too. Pattaya Thai has beautiful food - try the pad thai - and Zavitos has fantastic pizzas and salads, as well as a buzzy atmosphere. There are lots of takeaways in Mairangi Bay - Burger Wisconsin is always good, and the Mairangi Bay Fisheries has lovely fresh fish for fish and chips on the beach.

There are some beautiful clothes shops; the women's clothing store Poetic Justice always has something I'd like to take home.

I love Mairangi Bay beach. It's a beautiful place to relax in and watch all the activity, or alternatively get out in the water for a swim or paddle. Both my children are members of Mairangi Bay Surf Life Saving Club and so they spend quite a bit of time training at the beach.

Also close by to us is the Millennium Institute of Sport & Health, where I swim. The children are members of North Shore Swimming and North Harbour Water Polo so they also spend plenty of time at MISH, along with other pools on the Shore, training and competing for swimming and water polo.

The coastline really is Mairangi Bay's best asset. You can go for lovely walks along the beach or up and around the cliff. And there are the most beautiful views if you go out running. Pupuke Golf Course on East Coast Road is a great spot to run or walk around, too.

Teresa's picks

Zavito: 404 Beach Rd, Mairangi Bay, Ph 478 4080.

Farro Fresh Constellation Drive: 70 Parkway Drive, Mairangi Bay, Ph 478 0020

Millennium Institute of Sport & Health: 17 Antares Place, Mairangi Bay, Ph 477 2000

Mairangi Bay Farmers Market: Every Saturday 8am-noon. Bayleys and Harcourts Real Estate car parks email mairangi.coord@xtra.co.nz

* Teresa is the business manager for WaterSafe Auckland, a regional water safety organisation developing a water safety culture in our area.