Eat. Work. Live. Play. Welcome to the West

One of New Zealand’s largest new residential developments is about to take shape in the heart of Auckland’s expanding North West. Westwood is a new landmark project for developers Sonn Group and architects Peddle Thorp. Currently in the planning and consent phase, construction is set to begin in 2019.

For decades, Auckland’s north western suburbs were dismissed as too far from the city centre, with little in the way of local amenities. But that perception has been shifting rapidly in recent years as the city fringe has pushed further towards the rural north west and lifestyle-focused homebuyers have started to hunt out new areas of the city that give them easy access to the beach and bush. With significant new commercial developments, new transport and roading projects and a thriving hospitality scene on the rise, suddenly the central city doesn’t matter so much.

Sonn Group are extremely excited about the opportunity to build a whole new neighbourhood and attract a vibrant community to Westwood. The seeds are being planted. Watch this space to see something impressive as it starts to grow.

West Auckland’s wine industry has thrived for decades, but it hasn’t always offered much in the way of outstanding restaurants for enjoying the wines it produces. Not so anymore. The Hunting Lodge in Waimauku is an exceptional pasture-to-plate restaurant serving up seasonal wine and food experiences that are the match of anything across the Auckland region - if not all of New Zealand.

Housed in a historic building set amongst grape vines and gardens producing fresh fare for the restaurant, The Hunting Lodge’s kitchen is home to one of Auckland’s very best executive chefs - Des Harris, formerly of legendary inner city dinner spot Clooney and Wellington's Logan Brown Restaurant. Harris’s focus is firmly on quality. As he says, “you have to respect the ingredients first and foremost.” And critics and foodies agree, catapulting The Hunting Lodge into Metro magazine’s prestigious Top 50 Restaurant list. Harris is also passionate about sharing his knowledge with his kitchen team and his divine dishes with visitors to the restaurant.

While The Hunting Lodge has become an in demand destination for diners across the region, it hasn’t forgotten the local community. Every Wednesday night is Local’s Night, with an ever-changing menu and handpicked wine specials.

For homebuyers looking to move to Westgate Gardens, the prospect of one of Auckland’s top restaurants just 15 minutes up the road might be a temptation that’s impossible to resist.