Te Ika-a-Māui or New Zealand’s North Island is defined by its gorgeous national parks, volcanic activity and cosmopolitain cities. It is also where 75% of the country’s population live, including many seniors who enjoy a very fulfilling retirement.
From Rotorua and Wellington to Napier and Palmerston North there are plenty of communities you can choose to live out your post work years. Outlined below are eight of the best ones you should check out if you are tossing up the idea of moving into one.
Bupa The Gardens Retirement Village
Located on the outskirts of Rotorua, the Gardens Retirement Village is a great choice for those wanting to live in a semi-rural community that is still close enough to essential amenities such as cafes, parks, shops and the beautiful lake, that Rotorua is known for.
The village provides a peaceful environment for its residents, featuring sixty independent villas that come with either one or two bedrooms. Set amongst beautiful landscaping, these modern and well-designed villas feature en-suite bathrooms, open plan living areas and high-quality fittings.
Besides maintenance, residents have the option of additional services such as laundry, housekeeping, and meals. Moreover, each home is fitted with a 24-hour emergency call system, and there are regular security patrols for added security.
The Gardens Retirement Village prides itself on offering a continuum of care, complete with a dedicated rest home and hospital that includes the country’s first Maori immersion unit. In addition, it boasts a range of communal facilities, including a community centre with comfortable seating, a large flat-screen TV and a well-equipped kitchen.
There is also a well-stocked library for residents to use and a busy activities program they can enjoy that includes shopping trips and social outings.
Operated by Bupa, the Gardens Retirement Village even offers a regular wellness clinic, staffed by a registered nurse.
Address: 15 Hodgkins Street, Pukehangi, Rotorua 3015, New Zealand
Phone: +64 7 347 9658
Website: https://www.bupa.co.nz/retirement-villages/find-a-village-near-you/bay-of-plenty/the-gardens-retirement-village/
Lady Allum Village
Located in one of the North Shore’s most desirable suburbs, Oceania’s Lady Allum is a modern apartment complex that is very much designed with the comfort of residents in mind.
Surrounded by beautiful gardens, which are well-maintained by the community ground staff, the village is available to residents over the age of 70. It offers a range of apartments to suit different needs. They include one and two bedroom apartments as well as others that have a third, flexible third room which you could use as you wish. All of them have been designed with quality finishes and tasteful decor that create a real sense of home.
Residents can enjoy a range of modern amenities that will heighten their levels of comfort, including a heat pump, easy-access showers, double glazing, heated towel rails and secure swipe access. Additionally, each apartment comes with a patio or balcony which is perfect for outdoor meals or activities like reading.
The good thing about living at Lady Allum Village is that it is just a short driving distance to Shore City and Milford Centre. The neighborhood also boasts some of Auckland’s most popular beaches, and a local garden centre that is within easy walking distance of the community.
Address: 20 Napoleon Avenue, Milford, Auckland 0620, New Zealand
Phone: +64 9 488 2900
Website: https://oceaniahealthcare.co.nz/location/lady-allum
Palmerston North Village – Metlifecare
Tucked away in a beautiful part of Palmerston North, the Palmerston North Village is a lovely community of residences which is run by Metlifecare.
What marks this retirement village as distinct from others is the quality of its accommodation options, which include ‘English style’, one-bedroom brick chalets and villas that come with one and two-bedrooms.
Each chalet and villa is unique, comprising spacious living areas and either a single internal access garage or a dedicated car parking space or carport. Those who live in them can enjoy the peace of mind of independent living in a secure environment that includes a 24-hour emergency call system.
For residents who need a bit of extra help with meals, laundry, cleaning and personal care, the village has serviced apartments with tailor-made packages specifically created to suit their needs. In addition, Palmerston North Village is also able to provide both rest home and residential hospital level care on-site.
Residents at Palmerston North Village have access to many facilities to ensure their days are busy and engaging. They include a community centre, cafe, barbecue and outdoor living area, spa pool, swimming pool and billiards table. There is also a hairdressing salon and inter-denominational chapel onsite, as well as a library.
Throughout the week, they can also take part in a range of social activities such as morning teas, tai chi classes, card games and housie, which creates a sense of fun and togetherness. While there are plenty of cafes, restaurants, shops, art galleries and other attractions that can be accessed via a short bus ride or drive.
Address: 7 Fitchett Street, Palmerston North Central, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand
Phone: +64 6 350 6400
Website: https://www.metlifecare.co.nz/our-retirement-villages/manawatu-whanganui/palmerston-north-village
Quail Ridge Country Club
Settings don’t come much better than the one the Quail Ridge Country Club enjoys. Situated within the stunning Bay of Islands, the village is adjacent to the idyllic Rainbow Falls Reserve walking track, which provides a wonderful backdrop. It is also about five kilometres away from the bustling centre of Kerikeri, while the Bay of Islands Golf Club is just a few minutes drive away.
The residences at Quail Ridge comprise a mix of standalone homes, independent and serviced living apartments and a state-of-the-art care facility. They are set in beautifully landscaped grounds, which feature a nice mix of native and subtropical gardens, a mandarin grove and landscaped lakes.
Taking the form of a resort-style community, the village has an elegant clubhouse that is the heart of the village. Inside it is a restaurant, bar and café, a billiards room, cinema, and library.
For their leisure, residents can access a heated indoor swimming pool, gymnasium and spa. They can also utilise a petanque court and bowling green for their entertainment.
Address: 82 Rainbow Falls Road, Kerikeri 0230, New Zealand
Phone: +64 800 782 457
Website: https://quailridgecc.co.nz/
Summerset by the Dunes
Over in Tauranga, Summerset by the Dunes is a beautiful coastal community which is surrounded by some of New Zealand’s most stunning beaches.
Located just 4km to Papamoa Plaza and about a 20 minute drive to Mount Maunganui or Tauranga City, the village provides residents with a selection of contemporary living options. These include cottages and villages that both have either two or three-bedrooms, serviced one-bedroom apartments, and care rooms that reside within their care centre. They also have one-bedroom apartments in a state-of-the-art memory care centre, which is specifically designed for those living with dementia.
All their villas and cottages are single-story homes that provide private outdoor living. In addition, their serviced apartments come with a spacious double bedroom that has an ensuite bathroom, and separate living area. At the same time, their care rooms are available in wither deluxe, premium, or standard layouts.
Seniors can also make use of an excellent range of facilities including an indoor swimming pool and spa, cafe, beauty clinic and hair salon, exercise room and bowling green. There is also and on-site activities coordinator who organises several different events, while should they want to go further afield, there is a village van is available for group outings.
Address: 35 Manawa Road, Papamoa Beach, Tauranga 3118, New Zealand
Phone: +64 7 542 9080
Bupa St Andrews Retirement Village
Run by Bupa, St Andrew’s Retirement Village is a beautiful community in Hamilton that offers retirement living accommodation via their 62 different one and two bedroom apartments.
Located near the Waikato river, the village overlooks the picturesque St Andrew’s Golf Course and provides a perfect setting for walks and other outdoor recreational activities.
The community prides itself on offering a small and friendly environment where residents can enjoy private and independent living.
One of the advantages of living in their retirement village apartments is that you can ‘lock up and leave’ your home when you go on trips, safe in the knowledge your home is safe and secure. They also provide 24-hour emergency assistance through personal medical alarms installed in each apartment, which give residents a lot of peace of mind.
For those who need it, premium services are available with their Bupa person-centered care. This takes the form of a 40-bedroom purpose-built care home which is adjacent to the village.
As an incentive to stay here, for every year you are in our retirement village, you will be entitled to seven days of complimentary respite care in one of our care homes – depending on availability.
Address: 26 Delamare Road, St Andrews, Hamilton 3200, New Zealand
Phone: +64 7 850 0790
Website: https://www.bupa.co.nz/retirement-villages/find-a-village-near-you/waikato-and-coromandel/st-andrews-retirement-village/
Gracelands Retirement Village
Located in the heart of sunny Hawke’s Bay, Gracelands offers excellent aged care and retirement living options to seniors. It features independent living two-bedroom villas and a choice of standard and premium rooms, including Care Suites.
All of their units have a range of easy living features including heat pumps for year-round comfort and a wet floor shower. Meanwhile, their villas have either a conservatory or patio, so you can enjoy plenty of fresh air.
Conveniently situated off a main road, the community enjoys easy public transportation access to Napier or Hastings. Moreover, there are plenty of shops close by, including a Four Square, a pharmacy, fruit and vegetable shops, and several delightful eateries and cafes.
Overall, Gracelands provides seniors the opportunity to retire in an affordable and comfortable environment. If you love to entertain or simply enjoy your own space, you’ll love the relaxed feel of living here.
Address: 730 Pakowhai Road, Frimley, Hastings 4120, New Zealand
Phone: +64 6 872 6179
Website: https://oceaniahealthcare.co.nz/location/gracelands
Whitby Lakes Retirement Village
Whitby Lakes Retirement Village is situated in the heart of the Whitby community, right next to the Whitby Shopping Centre and Lake, which means you will be close to the action if you choose to live here.
It’s also conveniently located just a short drive to the motorway, making it easy to access both Wellington city and the beaches of the Kapiti Coast when you need to.
Whitby Lakes offers both villas and apartments, along with an extensive Lifestyle Centre and beautiful gardens. They incorporate several designed, including one, two and three bedrooms. All of them have been architecturally designed and fully refurbished to feel brand new should you ever want to sell them.
The Lifestyle Centre serves as the heart of village life at Whitby Lakes. This purpose-built facility houses a lounge bar and cafe, a gym, heated swimming pool and spa and a library that is kitted out with computer facilities.
Seniors can also play indoor bowls, petanque, pool or table tennis with their friends or host a barbecue on the lakefront deck. There is also a full calendar of social events and activities regularly run, such as trips to the theatre, coach tours and organised walks.
Address: 1 Newhaven Way, Whitby, Porirua 5024, New Zealand
Phone: +64 4 234 6627
