Maureen.

Piha’s beloved manager of the Best Little Library in the West. Retired teacher, walker of the beach with the dog, ten years in Piha and counting.

Maureen Thompson came to Piha with her husband Clive in 2015, after 30 years of primary teaching and managing school libraries. She manages the team of volunteers at Piha's small community library — what they proudly call the Best Little Library in the West. We asked her five questions.

How long have you lived in Piha, and what first brought you here?

Clive and I came to live in Piha in 2015. I had just retired from 30 years primary teaching and managing school libraries, and we were looking to get away from city life.

The idea of living in a small community was very appealing. Choosing Piha was a no brainer as we had been coming out here for several years, visiting one of our sons who had already settled here.

We're not surfers or swimmers, nor even great hikers — just an amble with the dog. But Piha's wild beauty captivated us from the start.

What do you do for work (or how do you spend your days)?

In order to get to know people we threw ourselves into anything going — swamp planting, stream-bank weeding, native tree planting, any working bee that was on. And of course I presented myself at the small community library as a willing helper.

A few years down the track I'm still there, now administering and managing the team of volunteers at what we are proud to call the Best Little Library in the West.

I love the library vibe — seeing the little ones coming in with their mums as babies, then tottering around as first walkers, then before you know it they are climbing on the school bus. The older folk are regular readers too and it's a great place for a natter about books or the latest news.

What’s something about Piha that surprises people once they actually spend time here?

Piha is such a diverse community of age and interests, with the full-time residents and the "weekenders", as well as plenty of tourists from all over the world adding to the mix.

Sometimes it feels like we stay in our own circles. But every now and then a true community spirit shines through.

Piharians are great at helping their neighbours, from lifts Over the Hill to help in emergencies. The amazing volunteers that make up our Fire Brigade, First Response Ambulance and Life Saving Clubs are highly regarded and appreciated. Recent severe weather events saw a strong resilience as the community rallied round to support each other in recovery. The endeavours of our young people are celebrated and supported, and the history of this place is honoured in events such as the unique ANZAC Day ceremony on the beach by Lion Rock.

What’s your favourite thing to do in Piha?

Any community event, such as the market, is a great place to catch up with folk you haven't seen for a while and adds to the feeling of belonging.

What do you love most about living here?

Spend any time at Piha and it gets into your heart just as surely as the black sand clings to your feet. Beautiful on a good day, spectacular when it's not.

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Maureen manages the team of volunteers at the Piha Library — the Best Little Library in the West.