The thrill of adventure and beauty of community for couple
Longtime Te Awamutu locals, Pam and Maurice Thomson, happily move at a different pace to each other in their retirement village.
While Maurice pilots a sleek two-seater aeroplane and races fast cars whenever he gets the chance - Pam is off enjoying photography, volunteering, and is an active member of the village walking group. The couple moved into Te Awamutu’s Arvida Whai Mauri Ora retirement community in early 2024, embracing a new phase in their lives that’s filled with freedom, connection, and plenty of adventure.
“We’d realised home ownership was becoming a burden for us. The hedges were too much to manage and the cost of upkeep kept rising,” explains Pam.
Their decision to downsize to a brand new one-bedroom villa saw them free up finances so they could live life their way. Life in the village for over-65s offers both the social connections that Pam values, and the financial peace of mind that Maurice appreciates.
“I’m a real people person and I like the village Thursday night drinks, regular potluck dinners and the pub quizzes,” Pam shares. Maurice continues to work as a certification mechanic for modified vehicles while also maintaining his love of motorsport and flying - passions inspired by his parents. “It’s more the interaction with flying and car club members that I really do enjoy. We have lots in common,” Maurice says.
The couple regularly enjoy going on campervan trips together and recently spent five weeks exploring the South Island, knowing their villa lawns, gardens and maintenance would be taken care of.
As Maurice puts it, “We’ve not come here to die, we've come here to live.” The couple are thriving within the Te Awamutu retirement community in their own ways. “We couldn’t be happier and it’s certainly working for us,” he says.
Click here to find out more about Whai Mauri Ora