Camborne

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Overview

Entirely residential, Camborne is classic suburbia, Kiwi-style, with its quiet cul-de-sacs, pohutukawas, trilling Tuis, views and rows of weatherboard bungalows. Created on the steep hills between SH1 and Pautahanui Inlet from the late 1960s, Camborne's established area feels like a 1970s time capsule. But head east or north to its small, but upmarket subdivisions and you're firmly in the 21st century. Over the last decade, this commuter suburb has grown bigger and wealthier as people have caught on to Camborne's charms. It's a private, peaceful neighbourhood that's still oh-so-close to the beach, shops, schools, train and parks just down the road in Mana and Plimmerton. Yet it still feels semi-rural, with that stunning outlook over the Pautahanui Inlet and undulating countryside to the east, and the open sea and Mana Island to the west.

Amenities

Schools

While there are no schools in Camborne itself, parents are spoiled for choice between nearby primaries. Decile-10 Plimmerton School has just over 500 students, after-school-care and before-school programmes, private musical-instrument tutoring, a technology centre and a heated indoor pool. Across the Mana bridge, decile-9, Paremata School with close to 400 students, caters for children with diverse and special needs (including gifted children and reading recovery) as well as regular students. Camborne's also zoned for Whitby's excellent Decile-10 primary, Discovery School and the multicultural Postgate School. Decile-10 Catholic primary, St Theresa's School, just on the Plimmerton side of the Plimmerton-Camborne boundary, is the only primary that doesn't cover years 7 and 8.

As for secondary schools, students bus or train to Kapiti College in Raumati with its many international students and excellent sports and technology facilities, or to Aotea College five kilometres south with its rocketing reputation and excellent extra-curricular programme. Others travel to private schools in the Hutt Valley or Wellington City.

Shops

Although there are no shops in Camborne proper, it's just a short walk or two-minute drive to the Plimmerton or Mana Esplanade shops, which between them have all the basics and many of the nice-to-haves, from a supermarket to petrol stations, restaurants to a beauty parlour, an art gallery, two bars and an antiques shop. The excellent Porirua city-centre shopping malls are less than 10 minutes' drive.

Leisure

Like so many of these suburbs, it's all about the outdoors here. The inlet with its swimming, fishing, kayaking, boating and bird spotting is just a few minutes' walk. Camborne has the odd small reserve and playground, but Ngatitoa Domain with its many sports clubs and fields is just down the road in Mana, and culture vultures enjoy Plimmerton's amateur theatre and art gallery. Nearby Pauatahanui's Lighthouse Cinema is a favourite haunt of many local movie buffs.

Real Estate

Typical Homes

The closer you get to the sea and the views, the more impressive the real estate - that's the rule of thumb in this young suburb. The houses in the well-landscaped streets of Camborne's established neighbourhood are remarkably similar. Think older, largely 70s-style weatherboard bungalows, often with steps leading up to a ranch slider or with garages on ground level to work with the sloping sections. Many homes have been renovated or extended; others freshened up with a lick of paint. These are typically tidy, easy-care properties with more bushes and hedges than front gardens.

The early-2000s subdivision at Camborne's eastern end, and the new Plimmerton Heights development on Camborne's northern tip, have pretty street names like Lily Close and much larger, more modern houses. As in many other modern subdivisions, they're all neutral greys, browns and tans with cutting-edge designs, angular lines, two storeys, ensuites and double garages. Sculptures and topiary often feature in the gardens, BMWs and boats in the driveways.

Real Estate Trends

There's always a steady trickle of Camborne homes coming on sale, if never a flood, at prices that remain stable. The well-appointed homes of the new subdivisions have seen their median price rise to just shy of $600,000, but don't assume that this prices first-home buyers out of the market. Entry-level homes are cheaper here than in neighbouring Plimmerton - an older three-bedroom family home in Camborne's established area goes for as little as $300,000 and a top price of $500,000. Further north and east, houses in the recent subdivisions are more expensive, with some homes selling for $765,000.

Only a few $195,000-$210,000 sections (averaging around 600 square metres) are still on sale in small subdivision Plimmerton Heights, and no further developments are likely given the lack of sub- divisible land.

Community

Who Lives There

Families, families and families of all ages and stages call Camborne home. Many have small children or are looking to start their family somewhere close to nature and all the essential amenities, without paying Plimmerton prices. The area attracts many well-educated, high-earning professionals who own their own home and commute into Wellington City or the Hutt Valley, briefcase in hand. But Camborne doesn't entirely empty out on weekdays - a strong contingent of residents work from home and lunch alongside pram-pushing mums at the nearby cafes. Joining the mix are middle-aged empty-nesters who moved here to raise their families, but have stayed on, some well into their golden years. It's hard to say goodbye to those views.

Local Hero

Camborne Walkway and Boatsheds

One way to feast your eyes on the spectacular views of the harbour and the countryside beyond is a stroll along the harbour-hugging Camborne Walkway. While some power-walk and some run the 1.6 kilometres (with or without dogs), it takes 35-40 minutes to walk one way across the Pauatahanui Inlet's northwestern edge. The start line is beside the iconic rainbow-coloured Camborne boatsheds which look straight out of a painting or storybook. A sheltered, flat path of firm gravel zigzags along the harbour - water to your right, trees to your left - and ends at a boat ramp and picnic area off Grays Road. Handily, there are car parks at both ends.

Why We Live There

Margaret and Ian Armour

Margaret and Ian Armour moved to Camborne in 1984 with their 18-month-old son. It's easy to see why they remain. "You can walk to the shops, train and harbour," says Margaret. "It's sheltered from the northerly winds, has a real neighbourhood feel, incredible views, and it's just the best place for kids to grow up." Their two sons fished and paddled at the inlet, played cricket in the quiet cul-de-sacs, kicked balls and flew kites at the nearby Ngatitoa Domain. Nearly 30 years later, their sons Aaron and Tim are boarding at home and now kayak and fish on the harbour, run on Camborne Walkway, and commute by train to Wellington city. Ian, an architect/project manager, drives to Upper Hutt, while event organiser Margaret, works from home, walking to meetings and catch-ups at Ruby's Café on Mana Esplanade or Plimmerton's Café Vella.

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