Rise & Shine founder Luci Marshall knows exactly what makes life good on the Shore.
There's something telling about a person who has moved house twice and still hasn't left the neighbourhood. Luci Marshall, Director and Founder of Rise & Shine PR, discovered Northcote Point 18 years ago while renting in Ponsonby and hunting for a first home. She never looked back.
"We're now on our third home here," she says, "and we absolutely love the charm, the sense of community and the central location.
These days, Luci's commute is a short stroll from home to her PR agency around the corner - a setup that lets her weave client work and creative thinking alongside school pickups and kids' sport. It's a life that feels intentional, deeply local, and quietly enviable.
What the Shore Does Best
Ask Luci what she loves most about living on the North Shore and she reaches for a feeling rather than a list of suburbs.
"It almost feels like a holiday spot as you drive over the bridge and leave the city behind. With beaches, beautiful walks and a strong sense of community, it offers the best of both worlds."
For coffee, she heads to Duo Eatery on Hinemoa Street in Birkenhead, and will order an almond flat white (or a coconut matcha if the caffeine count is already high ). She can't go past their Raw Fish on Toast for brunch. Lunch? That's usually a salad from Sherry Kitchen, conveniently located in the same block as her office in Northcote Point and, in her words, "is consistently delicious."
The Hidden Gems Worth Knowing
Luci's most enthusiastic recommendation is one that locals tend to keep quietly to themselves: Le Roys Bush.
"It feels like you're completely removed from the city. The boardwalks, kauri trees, birdsong and quiet make it incredibly special."
She loves looping through from Northcote Point to Birkenhead, stopping for coffee or fresh sourdough on Hinemoa Street before continuing down to the Birkenhead Wharf and back. It's the kind of walk that makes you feel like you live somewhere worth living.
For matcha lovers, she also tips Issy's in Milford where "they do the best matcha, my team are obsessed."
Where She Goes Right Now
Luci's current dinner obsession is Sfera, the new local bistro that's opened in the old Clarence Road Eatery space.
"We had such a fun dinner there recently. I love sharing plates because I'll get food envy otherwise!"
For self-care, she's a devotee of Willow Skin & Beauty - praising their lash lifts, facials, and the beautiful calm of the space. For fitness, she swears by Contrology Pilates, where she trains twice a week at 6am.
"It's been incredible for both my body and mind, especially after a back injury a few years ago. It's such a grounding and energising way to start the day."
She's passionate enough about it to nominate it as the local business that deserves more love, pointing to founder Sandra's traditional, teacher-led approach and spring-based equipment as something genuinely special.
A Perfect Day, Shore-Style
Luci's ideal day would be an early Pilates session, coffee in hand, a walk through Le Roys Bush or along Takapuna Beach with friends and her dog Charlie. Then family time (usually involving the sidelines of a sports field), a browse through Superette and Wally in Takapuna, and a home-cooked dinner to finish.
For a great day trip, she sends visitors straight to Matakana Markets on a Saturday, followed by a walk or swim at Omaha Beach. And for out-of-towners needing the full Shore experience? Le Roys Bush, then coffee or lunch locally.
"It really showcases the best of the area," she says.
Rise & Shine is a North Shore-based PR agency. Visit riseandshinepr.co.nz
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