The Kāpiti Life

The Kāpiti Life 🫶🏼Showcasing the best of real life and real estate on the Kapiti Coast
🐚 Local stories, hidden gems, coastal culture
🤍 Why live anywhere else?

03/08/2026

This morning’s run along Peka Peka Beach came with a reminder of one of the Coast’s most iconic buildings.

The Sand Castle Motel, designed by renowned New Zealand architect Roger Walker in the early 1970s.

Even sitting quietly behind the dunes, it still has so much character. I’ve heard about it but never actually seen it for myself. I wonder what stories those walls could tell after decades of welcoming holidaymakers to the Coast.

Wouldn’t it be amazing to see it restored and opened to the public again?

One of the things I’m enjoying most about these Monday runs/ walks is discovering (or rediscovering) the places that make Kāpiti so unique. . .

29/07/2026

One email.

Over 70 local agents.

One simple message.

If you have the right buyer, we’d love to work with you.

Sometimes I think our industry forgets that we’re all working towards the same goal.

Yes, we’re competitors.

But more importantly, we’re trusted to achieve the very best outcome for the people who have chosen us to represent them.

For us, that means putting our vendors first.

If another agent has the perfect buyer, why wouldn’t we make it as easy as possible to work together?

The response to this email genuinely surprised me. Messages and offers of support from agents across the Kāpiti Coast reminded me that collaboration still exists in this industry.

And that’s exactly how it should be.

Because at the end of the day, the commission is secondary.

The outcome for our vendors isn’t.

🤝 Collaboration over competition. Every time.

A cup of tea. Twenty minutes. A better understanding of your local property market.One of the first things I learnt in r...
27/07/2026

A cup of tea. Twenty minutes. A better understanding of your local property market.

One of the first things I learnt in real estate is that the national headlines rarely tell the whole story.

What’s happening in Auckland isn’t necessarily what’s happening on the Kāpiti Coast. And what’s happening in Waikanae isn’t always what’s happening in Waikanae Beach.

That’s why we had these local Property Reports created by our team of economists.

They’re designed to help you understand what’s happening right here, with insights into:
• Long-term price growth
• New listing trends
• Buyer activity
• Days on market
• Local market conditions
• And, most importantly, what it all means if you’re thinking about buying, selling or choosing where to buy.

If you’re comparing suburbs, I think having a 10-year overview of how an area has performed, alongside what’s happening in the market today, is incredibly valuable. It provides context that you simply don’t get from scrolling property portals or reading national news headlines.

I’ve currently created reports for Waikanae and Waikanae Beach.

If you’d like a complimentary copy delivered to your letterbox, simply complete the request form here:
👉 https://thekapitilife.com/waikanae-reports-2026/

And if your suburb isn’t there yet, send me a message. We can commission a report for any Kāpiti suburb within a day, so whether you’re interested in Paraparaumu, Paraparaumu Beach, Raumati, Ōtaki or somewhere else on the Coast, I’d be more than happy to create one for you.

After all, property is local.

And your advice should be too

A sunny Monday means another walk in Kāpiti! Today we started at Barry Hadfield Nikau Reserve, climbed through to Bright...
20/07/2026

A sunny Monday means another walk in Kāpiti!

Today we started at Barry Hadfield Nikau Reserve, climbed through to Bright Ridge, continued down into Valley Road, and looped back to the car park.

Just over 7km, with around 318 metres of elevation, so it was definitely more of a proper walk than a gentle stroll.

Scarlett joined us for one last day of the school holidays and absolutely smashed it. We had one slip in the mud, successfully negotiated the stream crossing at the end, and the views over the Coast and Kāpiti Island did not disappoint.

The best part, though, was the time together. Lots of chats with our eight-year-old, plenty of fresh air, and one of those simple family days that leaves you feeling like you’ve done something worthwhile.

📍 Barry Hadfield Nikau Reserve to Bright Ridge
🚶 Just over 7km
⛰️ Approx. 318m elevation gain

13/07/2026

Another Monday, another Kāpiti walk.

Today we explored the southern side of the Ōtaki River, following the trail all the way to the sea before heading back — around 8.5 km return.

It’s such a peaceful walk and a great reminder that some of the best adventures don’t require a long drive or an expensive day out.

I’d love to know… what’s your favourite walk on the Kāpiti Coast?

I’m hoping to make this a regular series and discover as many local walks as I can.

06/07/2026

MYTH BUSTING SUNDAY

Most homeowners assume that if they list with one real estate agency, that’s the only agency that can introduce buyers.

Not necessarily.

If another agent already has the right buyer, there’s a process called a conjunctional sale where agencies can work together—at no additional cost to the vendor.

The Real Estate Authority states that decisions around conjunctions should be made in the client’s best interests and that vendors should be consulted.

So here’s my question…

If another agency had the perfect buyer for your home, would you want them through the door?

I know I would.

It’s one of the questions I’d be asking before choosing an agent.

I’m interested to hear your thoughts. . .

17/06/2026

I don’t think we talk enough about how interesting some of the homes on the Kāpiti Coast are.

In a world where so many houses are starting to look the same, every now and then you walk into a property that reminds you of a different era.

Timber walls.

An open fire.

A mix of materials.

A home that wasn’t built to fit in—it was built to reflect the people who lived there.

That’s what caught my attention about this property.

Not because it’s perfect.

Not because it’s renovated.

But because it has personality.

One of the things I love most about working in real estate is getting a glimpse into the different ways people have chosen to live over the years. Every home tells a story, and some stories are a little more colourful than others.

This is one of them.

📍 64 Elizabeth St, Waikanae, Kāpiti Coast

https://rwparaparaumu.co.nz/properties/residential-for-sale/kapiti-coast-district/waikanae-5036/house/3527119

15/06/2026

There’s something about Ōtaki’s main street that feels nostalgic.

Maybe it’s the independent shops, the slower pace, or the feeling that you can still spend a morning wandering without needing a plan.

We started with brunch at Kōwhai Eatery, then popped into Books & Co for a browse. The kind of outing that reminds you that not every good day needs to be a big one.

Just good coffee, good food, and a little time to wander.

12/06/2026

The finished result.

One of the things I love most about property marketing is helping buyers see what makes a home special.

Not every property is a million-dollar home, but every homeowner deserves a million-dollar level of care. That’s why we invest in professional staging, photography, and videography regardless of a property’s price point.

For us, great marketing isn’t about making a home look like something it’s not. It’s about revealing the warmth, character, and lifestyle that’s already there.

12 Hira Street is a wonderful example of that. A home that feels private, peaceful, and far more spacious than you might expect from the street.

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