The 8 Best Retirement Villages New Zealand South Island has to offer

Are you looking for a retirement village in the South Island of New Zealand?

Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered.

The South Island is a land of incredibly diverse landscapes, ranging from the magnificent Southern Alps to the wonderful golden beaches of Abel Tasman.

It is also renowned for having a terrific food scene, plenty of adventure activities and a rich and fascinating Maori culture.

For those who want to spend their golden years in Te Waipounamu, there are several options you should consider. To help you on your search, here are eight of the best retirement villages New Zealand South Island has to offer.


Summerset Prebbleton

One of the nicest retirement villages you can choose to stay in is Summerset Prebbleton.

This modern village on Springs Road, near the centre of town, provides residents with a secure and low-maintenance lifestyle which they can enjoy in a vibrant community of like-minded seniors.

The village is just a short walk from local shops and amenities. It offers a range of stylish living options including one to three bedroom villas, cottages, serviced apartments, and rooms in their care centre. They also have apartments available in their innovative memory care centre for residents who are living with dementia.

For residents to relax and be social, their village centre offers a range of on-site activities and features, including a cafe, library, indoor swimming pool and spa pool and bar. There is also a hair salon, exercise room, lounge, vegetable garden and barbecue facilities available for them to use.

Address: 578 Springs Road, Prebbleton 7604, New Zealand

Phone: +64 3 353 6312

Website: https://www.summerset.co.nz/find-a-village/canterbury/summerset-prebbleton/


Arvida Rhodes on Cashmere

Rhodes on Cashmere is an elevated community in the Cashmere Hills district of Christchurch that offers independent or semi-independent apartments to people who want to downsize from their family home. They also offer care suites to cater to those who require full-time rest home or hospital care needs.

Most of the apartments and care suites in the village provide breathtaking views of Christchurch and the Pacific Ocean, which you can enjoy every day. To ensure comfort in every season, all styles of accommodation are equipped with double glazing, underfloor heating in the bathroom, and heat pumps.

The community also offers shared indoor and outdoor areas that make the most of the panoramic views. These include a community lounge, the Rhodes Cafe where you can enjoy tea and coffee whilst socialising with friends, a gym/recreation room and a library. Other activities include a workshop, exercises classes, happy hours and tendering to a raised vegetable garden.

Regular van outings and shopping trips are also put on to the nearby supermarkets, plaza and cafes, while qualified carers are available 24/7 on-site to ensure your needs are well looked after, should you need any help.

Address: 5 Overdale Drive, Cashmere, Christchurch 8022, New Zealand

Phone: +64 3 332 3240

Website: https://www.arvida.co.nz/living-with-arvida/communities/rhodes-on-cashmere


Queenstown Country Club

For those drawn to the Southern Lakes region, there is no better retirement village to choose on the South Island than the Queenstown Country Club. Situated between Frankton and Lake Hayes, it offers independent living facilities that cater to individuals aged over 65.

Queenstown Country Club has been strategically positioned and created to provide you with the best retirement experience possible. Subsequently, you will find all the scenic views, golf courses, hiking and biking trails, and food experiences that you desire in this location.

The community is located close to Queenstown to the west, Arrowtown to the north, and the Gibbston wineries to the east. Moreover, the Five Mile Shopping Centre is only a five-minute drive away, while the Millbrook golf course is eight minutes away. If you love skiing, The Remarkables and Coronet Peak ski areas are easy to get to as well.

One of the best aspects of the Queenstown Country Club is that it boasts a beautiful alpine-style clubhouse which boasts a range of top-notch amenities. They include a café, bar, movie theatre, billiards room, library, swimming pool, lounge with an open fire and gym. These amenities make the clubhouse a fantastic social hub for residents to mingle with family, friends and fellow seniors.

Address: 420 Frankton-Ladies Mile Highway, Frankton, Queenstown 9304, New Zealand

Phone: +64 800 111 410

Website: https://www.arvida.co.nz/living-with-arvida/communities/queenstown-country-club


Enliven Resthaven Village

Offering beautiful views of the Eastern Southland hills, Resthaven Village is a friendly and spacious community located near Gore’s primary shopping centre. It comprises 21 self-contained cottages that you can purchase under an occupation right agreement. Each of these units are mobility-friendly and come fitted with emergency call buttons which give residents’ real peace of mind.

Operated by Enliven, which is part of the Presbyterian Support Southland group, residents at Resthaven Village, have the opportunity to transition into the onsite care home should they need to. This provides them with hospital-level and rest-home care as and when space is available. Those living in the cottage can eat at the rest home for an additional cost and participate in various activities if they choose to do so.

Overall, Resthaven Village provides a nice range of facilities and amenities for residents to enjoy. They include chapel services, a van for outings and shopping trips, gentle exercise classes, arts and crafts and concerts.

Address: 208 Main Street, Gore 9710, New Zealand

Phone: +64 3 208 9440

Website: https://pss.org.nz/enliven/services/residential-aged-care/resthaven-village/


Ultimate Care Kensington Court

For over 20 years, Ultimate Care Kensington Court has been an established part of the local Nelson community. Set among gardens that have been beautifully landscaped, the village offers a variety of affordable accommodation options, including independent villas, apartments, and studios. All of which have been tastefully designed and well-appointed with a lovely range of fixture, fittings, appliances and amenities.

Should you choose to live here, you will be given the option of choosing from a range of support services if and when you need them. These services include bed making, meals, general staff support, laundry, housekeeping and personal care.

The village also has a rest home and hospital on site, which should provide residents and their families with peace of mind of knowing that they will receive continuity of care if they ever need it from nursing staff that will provide exceptionally high-quality assistance.

Residents also have access to a hairdresser, physiotherapist and podiatrist, who visit the village on a regular basis.

Address: 18 McMahon Street, Stoke, Nelson 7011, New Zealand

Phone: +64 3 547 9444

Website: https://www.kensingtoncourtvillage.co.nz/


Ripponburn Lifestyle Village

The team at Rippoburn Lifestyle Village pride itself on making everyone feel at home from the moment they step into the community.

Nestled in the tranquil grounds of the Ripponborn Hospital and Home, the community houses residents in a lovely selection of villas that sit among well-maintained garden spaces.

Conveying a sense of space, each of the two-bedroom villas, come in duplex or stand alone layouts. They feature modern kitchens, open-plan dining and lounges, garages, walk-through wardrobes and 24-hour emergency call system. These accommodation are set up for residents to relax and enjoy their golden years doing the things they love, with minimum need for maintenance.

Moreover, residents have the option to take care of household tasks or choose from a range of service and care packages delivered to them in their home – such as meals, laundry, cleaning and personal care.

During their days, seniors can enjoy a a wide range of amenities including a games rooms, dining room, spa, library and lounge. The tight-knit, friendly community also has a lively recreational program which offers plenty of social activities including dances, exercise classes and quiz nights. For those who want to visit the local parks, shops and cafes, the village resides just a few minutes away from the main town centre.

Address: 94 Kawarau Gorge Road, Cromwell 9384, New Zealand

Phone: +64 3 445 0021

Website: https://www.eldernet.co.nz/Facilities/Hospital_Care/Ripponburn/Service/DisplayService/FaStID/799


Golden View Lifestyle Village

Over in Cromwell, the Golden View Lifestyle Village has one of the most idyllic locations of all retirement villages in the South Island of New Zealand.

Situated in the Upper Clutha Valley, at a point where the shimmering waters of Lake Dunstan join up with the beautiful Clutha River and against a spectacular backdrop of rolling hills, the village comprises independent living villas that come in single, two or three-bedroom layouts.

Accommodation here is designed around the Golden View Lodge and features tendered gardens and manicured lawns between each property. All of them have been positioned to benefit from the warmth of the sun and comprise either a single or double attached garage with individual courtyard terraces.

Each of the villas have layouts designed for open plan living, with a modern kitchen and a bathroom that possess quality fittings and fixtures. They also have one bedroom apartments, four of which will comfortably accommodate a couple.

These apartments come with kitchenettes, ensuite bathrooms, laundry facilities, airy private terraces, heat pumps, car parking and scooter charging stations.

All homes are linked to our comprehensive communication system, including 24-hour emergency support. Additionally, the village provides independent living or flexible-service options, including cleaning, laundry and regular meals, which means you can retain your independence with a little extra help.

In addition to assisted and independent living, they also provide hospitals, rest homes, palliative, specialist dementia, and respite care.

For those willing and able to venture out of the community, they will find shops, restaurants, parks, a library and the Cromwell Golf Club within easy accessibility.

Address: Kanuka Drive, Cromwell 9310, New Zealand

Phone: +64 3 445 4210

Website: https://www.goldenviewvillage.co.nz/


Arrowtown Lifestyle Village

Arrowtown Lifestyle Village is a charming retirement residence located near Arrowtown in the Queenstown Lakes District. It is a boutique village that is independently owned and operated by local families and experienced operators.

The village consists of 120 two and three-bedroom villas and 50 apartments. It also includes a 100-bed care centre with a rest home, hospital, and specialist dementia care unit.

All properties at this charming village have been designed architecturally and offer ample outdoor living space. Most of the villas are free-standing and have insulation, double glazing and covered patios that are suitable for the local climate. The modern and stylish apartments are built in the heart of the village, connected to the community centre. They are built over three levels with lift access.

Overall, the facilities at Arrowtown Lifestyle Village are first-class. The Residents’ Lodge is the social hub of the community, offering a variety of entertainment and activities, from the residents’ club bar to craft sessions and coffee mornings.

Facilities available at the interim residents’ lodge currently include a spa, gym, barbecue courtyard, residents bar, coffee lounge, pool table, green, community gardens, and petanque.

Situated just a short drive from both Arrowtown and Queenstown, the Arrowtown Lifestyle Village prides itself on inviting people from all walks of life to join this welcoming and inclusive community. With accommodation options to suit a range of budgets, it offers an excellent retirement lifestyle in an enviable location for seniors to enjoy their golden years.

Address: 224 McDonnell Road, Arrowtown 9371, New Zealand

Phone: +64 3 442 1050

Website: https://arrowtownretirement.co.nz/