We are lucky the North Shore has many special and unique communities and where we choose to live often reflects what we love about life. This month, Nikki Davidson caught up with Karin Horen, a busy, creative Greenhithe entrepreneur and mother of three little girls, about her nature haven.

What do you love most about living in Greenhithe?

The bush walks and being surrounding by nature. It’s nice to just step outside and not to have to drive to be amongst the trees. I can also paddle to Herald Island or Riverhead easily. I love this community where my girls have friends from other young families living nearby and I’ve made some beautiful friends too.

 

How long have you lived here?

It’s been three years now.

 

What activities or organisations are you involved with? Why are you passionate about this?

I’m a co-founder of Paddle for Hope. Through paddleboarding events we raise money for cancer rehabilitation, some of which enables Pinc and Steel Cancer Rehabilitation Trust to develop PaddleOn, helping men and women recover from all types of cancer. I love that paddle boarding can give a certain quality of life by being on the water.

 

What else might you be involved with if you had more time?

So many things! My biggest dream is to open a retreat on the North Shore for post op breast cancer recovery. How beautiful would that be?

I’d also finish my app for cancer recovery management and campaign for more accessible BRCA gene testing in New Zealand.

Right now though, I have been collaborating with Aurai swimwear and we’ve created mastectomy friendly swimwear. I can’t wait for New Zealand Fashion Week where we are launching ‘One Of Us’.

 

Tell us about a place that is a secret gem in Greenhithe?

There are so many secret spots on the water here. It’s my haven where I get my vitamins ‘sea’ and D.

 

Do you have a favourite local event that you look forward to each year?

Halloween goes off here! Families all dress up, hang out in Collins Park then go trick or treating. Afterwards we meet up in the Tavern for pizza.

 

If you could change one aspect about your suburb what would it be?

I’d love there to be a fitness and activity centre here that all the family can use. One with a variety of classes and easy access anytime.

 

Who would you most like to have as a neighbour and why?

My sister and my brother who are still in Israel. I moved to New Zealand nine years ago and really miss my family.