Joe is a scientist, is a third generation Paekākāriki human who grew up here and three years ago returned to live here with his partner and two daughters.

“I thought it was a good place when you have kids. My kids were getting to the age when they needed the space. The temperature’s about two degrees warmer than Wellington most of the time. I like the weather, I like the people, the beach, the water. And family is here: my brother moved back a few years before me, my mother and other family are around, that’s good.”