North Island

Independent Living

Aria Park Retirement Village

Aria Park Retirement Village is overwhelmed with the honour of being one of Aged Advisor’s finalists for Best Small Retirement Village. Located in Auckland, Manager, Hyrum-Daniel, says the team is focused on the central pillars of Wellness. He believes their success lies in staff both living out these values and supporting residents to do the same.

One family member agrees there is excellent holistic care for residents through professional medical care, friendly kitchen staff and management. She says staff made the difference for her dad because they “really took time to get to know him and support and encourage his passions and interests.”

Aria Park Retirement Village say it is a gift to be recognised and is very grateful to be a finalist.

Awatere Village

Aged Advisor’s Best Small Retirement/Lifestyle Village finalist Awatere Village attests to being a small “close-knit community”. Situated close to Hamilton’s CBD, this boutique sized village has just 40 apartments.

Village Manager Raewyn Porteous says for their residents, location is a significant selling point. Near to family, shops and services, it’s both their communal facilities and wider amenities that make their village special.

Furthermore, she believes their investment into a welcoming culture has made their retirement facility an easy-going, happy space. One resident affirms the “homely, warm and safe” atmosphere.

Bert Sutcliffe Retirement Village

Retirement/Lifestyle Village award. Stretching across 16 acres, they attest their services to be of the highest possible standard.

ingredients that make their village unique: Kindness and friendship creating a very caring environment for residents, seen especially in their volunteers and residents association. Staff represent a wide range of ages, cultures, experiences, skills and personalities. Their grounds are “spectacular”.

Bert Sutcliffe is thankful to be a finalist for Aged Advisor’s Best Large Retirement Village. Overlooking elevated views of Kauri Point, this Ryman Healthcare facility is close to parks, shopping centres and the bay.

With 306 units, there is a range of services and onsite care available for residents. This includes dementia, respite and medical care. Staff believe their “full range of comprehensive options” set the standard for retirement living.

One resident agrees this care is achieved by the team. They now have “total peace of mind in all things”.

Management is appreciative for every review and hopes to continue providing awardwinning service.

Carmel Country Estate Village

Carmel Country Estate Retirement Village is one of the proud finalists for Aged Advisor’s Best Large

Being privately owned and operated, Carmel also strives to maintain a reputation of personal service, quality homes, beautiful gardens and safety through their secure complex. Consequently, their hope is families will have peace of mind, knowing their parents have invested in a secure and caring environment.

Staff and managers have an open door policy where individual needs can be addressed one-on-one. One resident expresses their gratitude for this - “Excellent staff support without the extra cost.”

Hillsborough Heights Retirement Village

Village Manager Penny Smith says staff are thrilled with this award as it reinforces the intentional level of service and care they prioritise. They continue to strive towards making a daily difference in the lives of their residents.

Kiri Te Kanawa Retirement Village

Hillsborough Heights Metlifecare Retirement

Village is one of Aged Advisor’s Finalist for Best Small Retirement Village. They say this public acknowledgement reflects the tremendous pride residents have for their home.

Officially opened in 1987, this Auckland village believes there are some key

Voted as a finalist for Aged Advisor’s Best Large Retirement Village, Kiri Te Kanawa Retirement Village believes they are pioneers of the sector. Being a Ryman Healthcare facility, with 35 years of history, they have a legacy of experience for their residents.

Management affirms this, saying their village is named after a “pioneering singer who set the standard for others to follow”. Through their faithful service, they claim their team has learnt how to live retirement life to its fullest.

One long-term resident says they live in a very caring facility, that has supported them even through difficult times. “Excellent service during these lockdown times.

Kiri Te Kanawa Retirement Village contin.

Cannot fault them at all. Making sure we are well fed and exercised, with dancing in the streets… all 2 metres apart of course.”

T he village is thrilled to be recognised as a finalist and are grateful for every review that bought this about.

Linda Jones Retirement Village

Maygrove Village

quiet. Milife Director Jenny Tyler says the first thing people notice at Rosewood Park is this beautiful scenery and open space. The villas themselves are designed to be modern and light, with different designs, sizes and layouts used to cater for individual needs.

Celebrating 20 years since its establishment, Maygrove Village has picked up its fifth Aged Advisor award in 5 years, this time as finalist for Best Large Retirement/ Lifestyle Village.

Linda Jones Retirement Village, another Ryman facility, is honoured to be an Aged Advisor finalist for Best Large Retirement/ Lifestyle Village. Being a newer facility, they say this acknowledgement was a valuable reminder they’re on the right track.

Located close to the Waikato River, their village offers 127 units. This includes townhouses with three bedrooms, dementia care and intimate one-bedroom apartments. As a Ryman Healthcare facility, they also say residents have the luxury of enjoying day-to-day tasks being done for them.

One resident notes construction is still underway, but the “very high quality” makes it worth the wait.

Management says the reviews are an encouragement that their work is appreciated, and they are grateful to everyone who contributed.

A small family-owned company, Maygrove is the first of the Hopper Living properties in Auckland. They pride themselves on authentic family-friendly attitudes and values, hoping people flourish in their care facility.

Village Manager Leonie Knell reveals, “my favourite thing about working at Maygrove is seeing how people grow and blossom once they become a resident here. We get the comments often that ‘we should’ve moved here sooner’ and ‘I haven’t seen Mum this happy in years’ it is so wonderful to see and hear.”

A big selling point of their village is their young entry age of 55 years. This facilitates the independent lifestyle many of their residents have – allowing for a smooth transition from semi-retirement.

Milife Rosewood Park

Milife Rosewood Park, Levin is one of Aged Advisor’s Best Small Retirement/Lifestyle Village finalists.

Surrounded by gardens, the 52 villas are kept private and

In agreement, a resident explains how friendly and nurturing she finds her home: “The small village is extremely well run by the most perfect Manager, maintenance staff excellent and friendly… never a problem when things need attending to. I would say personally we are all truly blessed to have found this place.”

St Andrews Village

One of Aged Advisor’s Best Large Retirement Village finalists, St Andrews Village, prides themselves on individuality. Because they don’t have a head office, decisions can be made quickly and specifically for the interests of residents. 188 LTO’s are situated on the 14 hectares, overlooking the Taiki Estuary. Sales Manager Judy Armour describes the village as spacious, allowing for large homes and apartments to connect to lovely gardens. She says the village feels like a subdivision rather than a high density home.

One regular visitor agrees the village is welcoming and warm. She finds St Andrews “a lovely place to enter, very friendly, helpful staff. All people I meet smile and say hello.”

The village is undergoing construction soon to make the communal spaces and care facilities even more appealing for residents.

Summerset In The Orchard

Located just a few minutes drive from Hastings Town Centre, this village not only enjoys being a 2020 Finalist for Best Large Retirement Village - but also ‘the magnificent Hawke's Bay climate’.

One Summerset local comments, “Two Years today and we still think the same… Best management and caring staff. Grounds always looking great and nothing is a trouble to the team…"

Wairarapa Masonic Village

Wairarapa Masonic Village is a finalist for Aged Advisor’s Best Small Retirement/ Lifestyle Villages. Located in Masterton, the facility is part of the various Masonic Villages Trust villages across the North Island.

Village Manager Irene Bull says “We were taken aback by the recognition. Both the residents and team are thrilled and grateful.” The location is one of their most popular features. She claims visitors often point out how quiet and spacious the grounds are, allowing people to have their own space.

One resident agrees it is “a peaceful, friendly, welldesigned village with plenty of trees, gardens and grass", as well as additional services she appreciates, including a bus service, technology support groups and village activities.