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COROMANDEL LIFE LATE SPRING / HOLIDAY 2018
Few can match the
enthusiasm Sue
Gill-Devereaux
has for Tairua. She
and husband Ces
Devereux are the
current business
owners of Pacific
Harbour Villas –
and promoting the
‘magic-that-is-
Tairua’ is her primary aim.
Just seven months after taking over 2 years
ago, this dynamic duo led the Villas to win the
prestigious 2017 ‘Hotel of the Year Award’ in
the Asia and Australia region – Luxury Travel
Guide category. “To come out on top is truly an
achievement we are proud of, and a vital part
of our success is the staff,” says Sue. “They
are exceptional.”
A key accommodation provider in the area,
Pacific Harbour offers 31 tastefully furnished
villas and apartments, attractively set skirting
the inner harbour known as ‘The Pepe’. Several
units sit on the shoreline while others offer
water views or are nestled among the villa’s
lush tropical gardens – and all within easy
walking distance of downtown Tairua’s many
fine cafés, restaurants and shopping.
THE CALL OF PAKU
Sue and Ces sold real estate together for over
20 years as the first couple in Hamilton to work
as a team. And when the successful pair were
contemplating a change of lifestyle, there was
no doubt Tairua was where they wanted to
be. Sue had felt a connection to Tairua since
childhood, so when Pacific Harbour Villas
Lifestyle change brings awards for Tairua couple
This comment on Travel Advisor says it all:
Enjoying the Villa’s outdoor dining area, the Terra
Nova Group, offer a toast to Brooklyn.
Hoping we can fit this in Melissa
222 Main Road Tairua – (07) 864 7774
www.thepepetairua.co.nzOpen 7 Days from 8am • Superb dining with real value for money
Licensed Bar with NZ and International Beers, Wine & Spirits
An abundant cabinet of home baked savouries, sweets & salads under $10
Villas, Ces is also involved. When not busy
selling properties at Tairua’s First National Real
Estate, keen gardener Ces can be spotted
working in the palm-lined grounds. He also
likes to keep fit at Tairua Gym.
“For me, a big day out is crossing the road to
Pepe Restaurant to make arrangements for
our clients, or having my hair done at Shine,”
smiles Sue. “We hardly ever leave town.
Everything we need is here.”
So where do Sue and Ces
choose to holiday? “Leave...
We’ve already arrived!”
Brooklyn looks up from the
sofa and wags her tail in
agreement.
became available, they jumped at the chance
to live and work in their “treasured little town”.
“I have loved Tairua since my family first came
on summer holiday when I was only five. And
I’ve been back regularly ever since. Ocean
Beach has always been one of my favourite
beaches in NZ - I’ve swum there all my life –
And still do!
“It’s also Mount Paku that kept drawing me
here. It’s got a magical appeal – I feel like it
watches over and protects us,” shares Sue,
snuggled next to her beloved dog Brooklyn, a
delightful chocolate brown Lagotto Romagnolo.
“And I love the small town community aspect
of Tairua and its friendly people.”
Sue is a familiar sight walking Brooklyn along
the Villa’s lush grassy harbour shoreline. Often
sporting a pretty pink scarf and sometimes a
string of pearls, the six-year-old curly haired
pup rarely leaves her side, joining Sue in
welcoming villa guests with a friendly bark or
two. Brooklyn soon casts her spell, and “many
end up wanting to take her home. She even
has her own facebook page,
and
has more
friends than me,” shares Sue.
Besides the personal attention lavished
on guests, she and Ces have updated the
rooms – each have their own personalities,
with intriguing names and decór to match!
Continuing to focus on a relaxed theme, they
created a barbecue area that has become a
popular place for visitors to congregate and
make friends. The cosy foyer echoes this, with
huge sofas and a TV that becomes the focus
for rugby, “and much loud debate, when games
are screened.”
While Sue tends to be the public face of the
at Tairua’s
Pacific Harbour Villas
A warm welcome wag awaits...