Ryman Times Spring NZ 2020

RY M A N T IM ES • S PRIN G 20 Norris & co are stars of the show Ryman rallies for breast cancer Ryman Awards

NEW ZEALAND EDITION

Miriam Corban honoured

A note from Gordy Welcome to the spring edition of Ryman Times for 2020.

Well, spring is here and with it a lot of optimism about the months ahead. As I write this our villages are still using a host of precautions to guard against the spread of the virus and the events of recent months show we can’t let our guard down for a second.

COVID-19 has been an enormous challenge.

The most important thing I have learned this year is that when you are facing something big, there’s nothing better than having an astonishing team of people to back you.

I am incredibly proud of how our team has responded, and the backing we’ve had from our loyal residents and their families.

Our anti-COVID and infection control measures have been very successful in keeping the virus out, but we take nothing for granted.

Our Ryman Award winners, who you can read about on page 6 and 7, epitomise the professionalism and can-do approach that has served us so well this year.

They’re a great bunch of people, and, as usual, the results were tight. Well done to our winners, and to all our finalists.

You can see from this issue that, despite the lockdown, we’re just as busy as ever and COVID has done nothing to crimp our growth ambitions.

What the pandemic has done is prove that our model of independent living and care communities offers an extraordinary level of security and peace of mind for retired people, and we’ve seen continued strong demand which is likely to grow in the years ahead.

So, we will keep forging ahead, getting better, and looking for more communities to expand into. After a tough year, I am more fired up than ever about this.

Just in time for the sun we’ve released a new tribute video Can't Stop the Feeling, aimed at celebrating positive ageing and featuring the extraordinary talents of our residents and team.

Thanks once again for your support – please enjoy this update on goings on at our special company.

Stay safe,

Gordon MacLeod Chief Executive

In this issue Ryman continues to expand despite COVID-19 challenges.............................................3 Norris & co are stars of the show...........................................................................................................4 Bringing Sir Ed's Antarctica to you.......................................................................................................6 Ryman rallies for breast cancer..............................................................................................................7 Ryman Awards....................................................................................................................................................8 A historic step for Ryman’s Aussie staff.........................................................................................10 It must be Wattie's!...........................................................................................................................................11 Henderson pioneer Miriam Corban honoured.......................................................................... 12 Lockdown knitting spreads kindness............................................................................................... 13 Musical interlude for residents..............................................................................................................14 Spine-tingling performance thrills residents...............................................................................15 Ryman welcomes frequent flyers........................................................................................................16

Ryman Healthcare Ltd Airport Business Park 92 Russley Road, Christchurch PO Box 771, Christchurch 8042 0800 588 222 • rymanhealthcare.co.nz

Front cover: Bert Sutcliffe resident Norris Aitken showcased his dancing talent in a Justin Timberlake tribute video.

Ryman continues to expand despite COVID-19 challenges Ryman Healthcare is continuing to expand to meet demand despite the ongoing impact of COVID-19 in Victoria and New Zealand.

construction and sales for six weeks, but it is too early to say what the effect on this year’s build volume will be.

Chair Dr David Kerr told Ryman shareholders at the company's 21st annual meeting that sales had recovered well in New Zealand following the end of the COVID-19 lockdowns in May and demand for aged care remained strong.

Victoria represents six per cent of Ryman’s total resident population, and the region remains a focus for future growth. Ryman is planning to have five villages open in Victoria

by December 31, although there is potential for this to be slightly delayed because of the pandemic.

The pandemic situation in Victoria and New Zealand remains concerning and the impact is difficult to predict.

The most impacted region [at the time of writing] is Victoria, where Ryman has two operational villages, 750 residents and 550 village, construction, and office staff.

Dr Kerr said trading had been satisfactory in the first quarter.

Earnings would be significantly weighted towards the second half in line with the construction programme and in light of the impact of COVID-19 in both territories during the first half.

“We put our villages into a second lockdown in Victoria in early July, and our team has done a fantastic job to keep everyone safe in difficult circumstances,” Dr Kerr said.

The latest lockdown measures announced by the Victorian State Government in August, restricted

Sales in New Zealand picked up well after the first lockdown ended in May, and total resales and new sales for the four months to the end of July were higher than in the same period the year before. Occupancy at established centres was at 97%, with Ryman’s care continuing to be in strong demand.

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In New Zealand, construction continues at seven sites; Devonport, Lynfield, Lincoln Rd, Hobsonville, Hamilton, Havelock North and Riccarton Park.

Gordon MacLeod said Ryman had $327 million new sale contracts already, and this cash would be collected over the next 12 months as units were completed and residents moved in.

“We are building on 12 sites, which are a good mix of high, medium and low density. To put this activity into context, in 2017 we only had six sites on the go.”

“Our long-term aim is to build as many Ryman communities as we can to meet growing demand.

We are as excited as ever about the future of Ryman.’’

Pictured: An artist's impression of Ryman's Park Terrace village which will be built in Christchurch.

Norris & co are stars of the show Residents from Bert Sutcliffe have starred in a Justin Timberlake tribute video to celebrate positive ageing.

Norris Aitken (pictured on the cover) played Justin while fellow residents appeared in supporting roles to replicate frame by frame the video for Can’t Stop the Feeling.

Ryman’s in-house production team spent two weeks filming the video which also included appearances from residents living at Murray Halberg in Lynfield and Logan Campbell in Greenlane.

Being approached for the starring role came ‘completely out of leftfield’, said Norris, but he jumped at the chance to be involved.

“It was completely foreign to me but I just did my best to pretend I was Justin – even if it did mean doing it a few times!”

“I think it shows people there’s life after retirement and there’s plenty of fun still to be had. We might be getting long in the tooth but we’re not in a wooden overcoat yet!” he said.

sense of fun and lightheartedness really comes across in the video,” she said.

Former bank manager Norris said his favourite scene was when everyone from the village got together on the bowling green.

“When I mentioned to the family that I’d be starring in a music video they were pretty enthusiastic.

“That was the most fun part for me, when we were all doing our own thing out there, and also the bit where I’m spinning on the tiles in my rubber-soled shoes!”

Norris’s wife Helen, who appears in the scene filmed in the village’s movie theatre, said the production caused a real buzz.

“It created quite an atmosphere in the village and I think that Ryman Times • 4

Their children and grandchildren had been surprised but delighted to hear about their antics since moving into the retirement village.

“My daughter said ‘I didn’t think you had it in you!’ and I said ‘Neither!” Norris laughed.

Pictured top left: Sybil Thackwell, Myrtle Perenara, Jack Chan, and Maureen Loughman. Top right: Vic Murray. Middle left: Liz Lowe, Colleen Christini and John Davies.

Middle right: Betty Cordes and Kerry Cordes. Bottom left: Roger Hawthorne. Bottom right: John Esling and Jeannie Kennedy.

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Bringing Sir Ed's Antarctica to you Residents from Edmund Hillary Retirement Village in Auckland were amongst the first New Zealanders to experience a virtual reality tour of Hillary’s Hut in Antarctica at a special launch attended by the Prime Minister and Gordon MacLeod.

app and scrolling through or using a cardboard headset.

The residents joined students from Otara’s Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate, who hosted the event, and a long list of special guests which included two generations of Sir Ed’s family to hear about the unique project, of which Ryman was the chief sponsor.

The Prime Minister, after reassuring everyone that the VR experience shouldn’t give you motion sickness, went on to describe how ‘truly humble’ Sir Ed was.

The virtual reality tour allows users to explore the five rooms of Hillary’s Hut, which is the oldest building at Scott Base in the Antarctic.

The experience provides insight into how the 23 men of Sir Ed’s team lived and worked in the world’s most extreme environment more than 60 years ago – but rather than travelling to the Antarctic, they can do it by either donning the VR headset, downloading the

The project was developed in partnership with Auckland University of Technology over two years to bring greater awareness and connection to the remote hut.

“My hope is that by having this experience we bring you a little bit closer to some of the extraordinary endeavours of people who are just like you and I, and in doing so we bring further proof that you too can do the extraordinary,” she said.

Her message echoed that of Antarctic Heritage Trust Executive Director Nigel Watson who was inspired by Sir Ed when he was a school student. “[Sir Ed] said that he wasn’t in the top class or the top sports team Ryman Times • 6

when he was a student. However, he displayed drive, perseverance and a desire to help others less fortunate,” Nigel said.

“He became New Zealand’s greatest son and he was my hero.”

Gordon MacLeod revealed that Ryman had jumped at the chance to be involved with the unique project, which had become particularly pertinent given the post-COVID-19 effects on travel.

“This project will bring a unique Antarctic experience to thousands of people who otherwise could not get there,” he said.

“Sir Ed’s hut is a part of the rich history of Antarctic exploration and we will be taking this experience to as many of our residents as we can.

I am sure they’re going to love it.”

Pictured: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Hillary House Leadership Centre Trust Chair Robin Houlker.

Ryman rallies for breast cancer Looking ahead to our 2021 partnership Our residents have chosen Melanoma New Zealand and the Melanoma Institute of Australia as our next charity partners.

Melanoma New Zealand Chief Executive Andrea Newland said she wanted to thank Ryman, staff and residents for their support and for choosing the group as a charity partner.

The Ryman Healthcare family has raised $440,000 to help make a difference in the lives of thousands of Kiwis and Victorians with breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand Chief Executive Evangelia Henderson was at our Diana Isaac village in Christchurch to accept a giant cheque for the total amount raised and to thank Ryman residents for the part they played in the effort.

Gordon MacLeod said it was a great year for fundraising, and over the past 21 years Ryman has raised more than $4.1 million for charity.

“The breast cancer cause struck a chord with everyone and the relationship has been a huge success at both raising money and awareness about breast cancer.

Melanoma was more prevalent in men than women and more than 360 people died every year, higher than our road toll.

“More than 4,000 New Zealanders are diagnosed with melanoma every year… more than half of all registered incidences of melanoma occur in people aged 65 and over,” she said.

“We’re delighted… we know that you will be helping to save lives.’’

Our charity partners

“Our vision is zero deaths.

We want to make sure that our daughters and our friends in the future won’t have to die from this disease. So your fundraising you have given us will help to raise the bar for research,” Evangelia said.

Residents and team members at Ryman’s 34 New Zealand villages raised $206,000, which Ryman matched dollar for dollar, taking the total to $412,000.

In Melbourne, our two villages, Weary Dunlop and Nellie Melba, raised an additional $14,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation in Victoria, taking the total to $440,000.

“The Breast Cancer Foundation did a huge amount of work to get around our villages to speak to residents, and we would like to thank the team for all the work.

“Raising awareness undoubtedly saves lives – and we will continue to spread the message about screening and prevention.”

Each year Ryman chooses a different charity and residents and team members focus their fundraising efforts on this charity for the next 12 months.

Pictured: Gordon MacLeod with the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ Chief Executive Evangelia Henderson.

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New Zealand melanoma.org.nz info@melanoma.org.nz

Australia melanoma.org.au info@melanoma.org.au

The biggest night on the Ryman calendar went virtual this year, making the star-studded 2020 awards one for the history books.

Rymanians across New Zealand and Victoria donned their finest suits and gowns, many teaming the formal wear with a pair of slippers, to watch the awards that were streamed live via YouTube because of COVID-19.

The virtual nature of the awards meant the ceremony was packed with surprises including guest MCs Anika Moa and Hilary Barry, appearances by stars from Shortland Street and Neighbours and tear-jerking messages from the family members of the Kevin Hickman award finalists.

Gordon MacLeod said he was proud of the whole Ryman team.

"We have faced, and we are facing the biggest challenge that this company has experienced in 35 years of operation and that’s no mean feat," he said.

"To get through the last six months, and to be doing such a magnificent job in Victoria is a real credit to all of you and I am incredibly proud and humbled of the work that all of you have done."

The Kevin Hickman award is presented each year to the team member who embodies Kevin’s founding values of kindness, excellence, leadership and care.

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This year’s Kevin Hickman award was presented to Bert Sutcliffe Village Manager Marika Laflamme.

“I met Kevin once at the village a few years ago, and to carry his legacy is a real honour for me.

“I can’t even explain how Ryman has changed my life in the five years I’ve been in New Zealand and at Ryman.”

Bob Owens Retirement Village was named village of the year, with manager Brian Bark and his team taking out the award for offering fantastic support to residents and their families, achieving consistently stellar staff survey ratings and providing excellent clinical care.

The 2020 ceremony also included the addition of two new awards: nurse of the year, and the health, safety and wellbeing award.

Chief Operations Officer Cheyne Chalmers presented the nurse of the year award to Anthony Wilding nurse Cassie Scaife. Cassie was described as a dedicated nurse with a drive to ensure the physical, cultural, spiritual and social needs of residents are always met.

Malvina Major facilities manager Harish Purohit received the health, safety and wellbeing award for helping people at the village feel informed and supported about all things health and safety.

Logan Campbell Village Manager Karyn Nobilo was named leader of the year.

Construction site of the year went to the Linda Jones Retirement Village construction team.

Linda Jones Project Manager Gary Cox acknowledged his "awesome team".

The 2020 young achiever of the year award was given to Weary Dunlop nurse Cherry Blossom Casama, while caregiver of the year went to senior Woodcote caregiver Juliet Smith.

The construction team member of the year went to foreman Peter Gertos from Nellie Melba

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Retirement Village. Peter was celebrated for being outstanding in everything he does, and for his good nature no matter the situation.

Malvina Major sales advisor Bronwyn Barry was named sales advisor of the year. Bronwyn was acknowledged for her resilience during years of earthquake repairs at her village, and for jumping into gear to be redeployed during COVID-19.

Beautiful Rimu awards, handmade

by Kilmarnock Enterprises (a Christchurch company that employs people with intellectual or learning difficulties), were gifted to the winners.

Pictured: Celebrating our staff.

A historic step for Ryman’s Aussie staff Ryman Healthcare took an unprecedented step in the fight against COVID-19 when several staff members moved into its two Melbourne villages.

Ryman made the call as the number of cases of the virus at aged care facilities in Melbourne began to skyrocket.

Ryman's regional manager Eileen Kielty said more than a dozen staff members at its Nellie Melba and Weary Dunlop villages had already taken up the free offer, with more expected to follow.

"Keeping our staff safe is absolutely crucial to keeping our residents safe, so this just makes sense.

No measure is too extreme or too expensive when it comes to resident safety," she said.

It was a "huge commitment" by the staff members to move into the villages, and showed how much they cared about their residents' safety.

Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton applauded Ryman's move as a positive step towards improving the situation in aged care, which has been devastated by the virus.

"Having staff [living] onsite is absolutely an innovation to the extent that it limits their interaction with other community members," Prof Sutton said.

Nellie Melba Retirement Village personal care assistant Rosie Butler said she moved into the village about three weeks ago, and she had not stepped outside since.

"I have a family member who works in an emergency department. The risk was just too great, so I knew moving into the village was what I needed to do," she said.

While Ms Butler would be unable to see her partner for

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the remainder of the lockdown, she did not regret her decision.

"I would do it again in a heartbeat. I would do anything for my residents because they are like family," she said.

Nellie Melba personal care worker Kim Buere said not only was she enjoying being able to roll out of bed just five minutes before a shift, she had been overcome by the response to her move.

"That has been the loveliest part, the huge thanks from residents for what we have done," she said.

Ms Kielty said the initiative was just one in a raft of measures, including delivering groceries to residents and closing the villages to visitors, employed by the company to help keep COVID-19 out.

Below: Nellie Melba team members Rosie Butler and Kim Buere.

It must be Wattie's!

Ryman’s Havelock North retirement village was named in honour of visionary Hawke’s Bay entrepreneur Sir James Wattie.

Sir James (1902-1974) was a popular suggestion for the Te Aute Road village. Ryman has set up an annual academic scholarship in his honour at the Eastern Institute of Technology.

The $15,000 scholarship will go to EIT’s top second year business student.

Sir James became a household name in New Zealand in the 1950s and 1960s as a highly successful and benevolent businessman who created the Wattie’s foodstuffs empire in Hastings.

Caren Wattie, Sir James’s granddaughter, said it was great to see him honoured.

“We’re really proud of our grandfather’s legacy and thank Ryman, EIT and the Hawkes Bay community for

honouring him in this way.

We hope the scholarship will inspire those business students to go forward as entrepreneurs and help grow Hawke's Bay.’’ Ryman Healthcare Corporate Affairs Manager David King said it was an honour to name the village after such a significant Kiwi.

“Sir James started out as a messenger boy at the Post Office and went on to become one of New Zealand’s greatest business success stories. His story is all about hard work, great vision and tenacity.

“He had huge success with Wattie’s, but he never lost sight of the fact he couldn’t have done it without the backing of his suppliers and his team.

He gave a huge amount back to the community and it is our pleasure to remember him in this way.

“The suggestion came from our residents and the community – and we are sure that the James Wattie Ryman Times • 11

Retirement Village will soon become a Havelock North landmark.’’

Dr Sabine Hoffman, head of EIT’s Schools of Business & Computing, welcomed the new scholarship.

“We are immensely grateful to Ryman Healthcare for this generous scholarship.

It will make a substantial impact on the lucky recipient of this grant.’’

Construction of the new James Wattie Retirement Village began in 2019 and its first residents are due to move in later this year.

Pictured from left: Kathy Wattie, David King, Caren Wattie, Anne Wattie, Janine Wattie and Isaac Scott.

Henderson pioneer Miriam Corban honoured Ryman Healthcare has named its new Henderson retirement village in honour of Miriam Corban.

The Corban name was a popular suggestion for the Lincoln Road village, and Ryman agreed that Miriam, with her dedication to family and the west Auckland community, was a perfect fit.

where she didn’t even know whether she’d had a son or daughter for three days due to drugs she was prescribed during her baby’s birth, she became an active campaigner for empowering women in childbirth and promoting maternity hospital rooming-in for new mothers and their babies.

Miriam, who was born in Wellington in 1927, became a well-known face in the Henderson community after she married her husband Assid Corban who served as a West Auckland councillor and mayor for nearly 60 years.

So passionate was she about the importance of promoting the opportunity for natural, drug-free childbirth and giving babies the best start in life, she held antenatal classes in the lounge of her Henderson home and helped form the Natural Child Birth Association which later became known as Parents Centres.

As well as supporting her husband in all of his civic duties, Miriam was a champion and supporter of a long list of community groups in her own right.

Sharon Alexander, Miriam’s daughter, said it was wonderful to see her mother honoured in this way.

She was a tireless champion for women in the area. Prompted by her own traumatic experience,

“Especially resonant to us is the Ryman ethos ‘everything we do must be good enough for Mum or Dad’.

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“The naming of the Ryman village is good enough for Mum, and a wonderful way to honour her for her lifelong service to the community in which she still lives.”

Gordon MacLeod said it was an honour to name the village after such a significant Kiwi.

“Miriam’s passion and dedication to family and serving her community is admirable and are qualities that Ryman Healthcare values highly.

“We are thrilled to recognise her achievements and bring attention to her remarkable legacy and we are confident the Miriam Corban Retirement Village will soon became a Henderson landmark.”

Pictured: Sharon Alexander with Gordon MacLeod.

Lockdown knitting spreads kindness No wonder there’s a wool shortage in New Zealand – it could be down to the recent mammoth efforts by the Knit and Natter group at Hilda Ross Retirement Village!

The 40-plus members kept themselves very busy during lockdown by working their needles at a furious pace to produce box loads of more than 400 individual items to donate to a range of local charities.

Former village coordinator Carole Jakes, who worked at the Ruakura Road village for seven years until 2013, has stayed in touch with the residents and now volunteers to collect the donations and distribute them to the various recipients.

The items made include jumpers and beanies which go to Care for Families; scarves, slippers and mittens go to

local schools, fish and chip jumpers go to the Salvation Army, knitted boobs go to the Cancer Society, premature baby knitwear goes to the neo natal ward at Waikato Hospital while toe warmers are made for people getting their leg put in a case in the orthopaedic ward, rescue jackets are made for penguins, mice blankets and dog jackets are given to the SPCA and angel pockets or pouches are given to infant loss charity Sands.

There are also cute knitted teddies, made by Jean Reynolds and again using odds and ends of yarn, which make great presents for young children.

Val Johnson was responsible for 150 of the scarves.

And centenarian Lorna Morgan is renowned for her animals and dolls which she makes for the village’s annual market stall, Carole said.

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“I would talk to the ladies regularly on the phone during lockdown and they were all really pleased they had something to do that was productive for the community,” said Carole.

“Due to being housebound and more isolated than usual it definitely resulted in more products to pass on to our charities and organisations.”

Chercara Thompson, founder of Care for Families, said the knitted goods were greatly appreciated.

“There is so much love, care and attention that goes into each item, I’m sure it makes the families feel very loved,” she said.

Pictured: The proud knitters with their finished works.

Musical interlude for residents It's not every day that you can attend an exclusive performance by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) from the comfort of your couch.

While Melbourne’s concert halls have been out of reach for many months, 50 prospective Ryman retirement village residents did what millions of others have been unable to do.

Ryman’s guests dressed to the nines to enjoy an evening of opulence complete with champagne and nibbles delivered

by Ryman staff ahead of time, a private audience with MSO celloist Rohan de Korte and a pre-recorded performance filmed exclusively for them by the MSO. Victorian Sales and Community Relations Manager Debra Richardson said the events, which were held across five nights via video conferencing, gave prospective residents a taste of what life at a Ryman village is like.

Before guests enjoyed performances of Prokofiev’s Waltz from Cinderella, Montagues and Capulets from Romeo and Juliet and Delibe’s Flower Duet from Lakmé, they were asked to share their favourite piece of music with the group.

were required of a member of a professional orchestra, Rohan was quick to answer.

Choices ranged from the music of Tchaikovsky and Beethoven to Kylie Minogue, Crowded House and The Righteous Brothers.

Rohan also shared memories of touring America, Europe and the UK with the MSO, including his “favourite performance ever” at The Proms in London.

While people’s favourite pieces spanned every genre, music’s ability to evoke treasured memories was something all participants said their choice did for them.

Following the breath-taking performance, guests enjoyed a Q&A session with Rohan.

Rohan has been a member of the MSO’s cello section since 2009, playing a beautiful 300-year-old German instrument.

“You need nerves of steel to be able to cope with the pressure,” he said.

“I did 22 auditions before I got a job.”

“I always think music is best when it is connected to your own memories,” he said.

If the stunning sounds of the MSO did not trigger memories for guests before the events, the orchestra is now sure to evoke memories of an evening of fabulous music, fabulous company and fabulous fun from the comfort of their couch.

Pictured: Melbourne Symphony

When asked what attributes, other than immense musical skill, Ryman Times • 14

Orchestra (MSO) in action.

Spine-tingling performance thrills residents An incredible kapa haka performance at Bruce McLaren left residents feeling amazed and exhilarated.

Fifteen performers from Hoani Waititi Marae in west Auckland staged an impressive display of harmonious singing, poi skills, and an intense haka as part of the village’s special Matariki celebrations.

The performance was introduced

by Paora Sharples, who is a friend and former colleague of Bruce McLaren’s new Activities & Lifestyle Coordinator Jerry Shi, who had the initial idea to invite the group.

Paora spoke in te reo and then translated his message that acknowledged Matariki and those that had passed away, before then paying tribute to the kaumatua who were present.

The group then quickly demonstrated why they are championship standard – members of the marae’s kapa haka groups have won the national kapa haka championships twice since its inception in 1972.

The championships were founded

by Paora’s father, the academic and former MP Sir Pita Sharples, who also formed the inspiration for one of the songs.

“A lot of songs are written when people die,” said performer Andrew Keogh, who led the haka.

“We wanted to do something while he is still alive to say thank you for all the good he has done for Māori people.”

The haka, titled Tika Tonu, was a challenge in the truest sense of the word and left Village Manager Chantelle Hand quaking in her boots.

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“It frightened me, and I come from Northern Ireland!” she laughed afterwards.

Andrew said: “It’s really a challenge to people to be upfront and not beat around the bush, and also to always have good intentions.”

Paora then invited the residents to get to their feet and join in as the group performed old favourite Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi. He taught them the various actions and those that could joined in with gusto.

Resident Anne Searle said she was so glad she had been able to attend, having nearly double-booked. “It was amazing, spine-tingling in fact. The performers were incredibly talented.”

Pictured: Performers from Hoani Waititi Marae take the stage.

Ryman welcomes frequent flyers The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc in 2020, with several new Ryman staff members making surprising career changes.

For Murray Halberg Caregiver Shayne Harper the pandemic gave him the big push he needed.

Having worked as an inflight service coordinator with Air New Zealand for five years and before that Qantas for 10 years, he had got comfortable with the lifestyle, but his previous vocation kept returning to the front of his mind.

“I live right next door to the village here in Lynfield and had been watching it being built as I drove past every day. I often thought maybe I should apply but I just didn’t have time. I could already see myself coming back to caring though.”

Shayne had completed the first year of his nursing degree before being persuaded to give the airlines a try but with planes grounded due to pandemic and a pending

redundancy, he finally took the chance to follow up.

And he hasn’t looked back since joining the team.

“I actually love it in special care. It’s just so homely, sometimes it’s hard to leave!”

Shayne isn’t the only one to have traded in his wings for a job with Ryman.

Former flight attendants Sanae Sekine, Ronel Anand and Jerry (Yunfeng) Shi all worked for Air New Zealand before the pandemic impacted New Zealand.

Sanae found personal links with Logan Campbell as her mum lived there and now she is an evening receptionist and van driver.

Joining the Logan Campbell team was Ronel who was working on long haul flights before becoming a security guard at the village.

Meanwhile Jerry found a second home at Bruce McLaren village.

He is such a hit with the residents that they fall over themselves to sing his praises when given the chance.

Compliments range from ‘he’s always smiling,’ and ‘he’s so willing to help’ to ‘he’s like a little puppy, he’s absolutely gorgeous!’.

And the feeling is clearly mutual.

“I am so happy. I love my job, it’s my dream job!” beams the 28-year-old activities and lifestyle coordinator.

While the pandemic rages and life is in turmoil for many people, some have at least found their footing at Ryman.

Pictured: New Rymanians Jerry Shi, Shayne Harper, Sanae Sekine and Ronel Anand.