Retirement villages

The age that you need to be to enter a Retirement Village in New Zealand varies from place to place. Some villages may allow residents to enter at 55 while others commonly have a minimum entry age of between 65 and 75. Some villages may allow someone younger to move...

Most retirement villages in New Zealand are officially registered with the Registrar of Retirement Villages, which sits within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). If you’re living in a registered village, you’re protected by the Retirement Villages Act. This protects you if the village you're living in faces...

While it is true that some retirement village residents may need to receive care in another facility, it is by no means the most likely scenario. In reality, only 12.8% of Kiwis living in villages end up being moved to a different facility to receive care. And more than half...

Considering making a move to a retirement village? Our resource Retirementvillages.co.nz is New Zealand’s most comprehensive guide to retirement villages, and showcases every retirement village in New Zealand. It hosts the country’s largest selection of properties for sale, with more than 500 properties currently listed. Search available properties across every...

At the Eldernet Group, we're proud to remain an independent, unbiased source of information for older people and their families. While we know reviews can be helpful for some when choosing a place to live, they don't always tell the full story. No one's experience is the same as another...

A care suite is a hybrid-type option that combines a village offering (therefore something that requires an upfront ‘purchase’ price) and support at a higher level of care as certified by Manatū Hauora Ministry of Health and governed by the Age Related Residential Care (ARRC) Agreement. They may also be...

There is a range of different accommodation options to choose from in retirement villages across New Zealand. A popular choice for many people is a villa. A villa is a good option for people wanting to maximise space. Villas are commonly free standing and offer a modern open plan kitchen,...

If your retirement village unit has incurred damage as a result of a natural disaster (such as a flood), your village operator should let you know what happens next. If you need to evacuate , your village operator should give you clear instructions about what to do and where to...

You might have heard that people lose a lot of money when they move into a Retirement Village, or that entering a village is a ‘rip-off'. Generally, comments like these usually come from not fully understanding how the financial arrangements in villages work, because they're quite different from a standard...

Are Retirement Villages expensive? In short, the answer is ‘not always.’ There can be some very affordable homes within Retirement Villages, however, not all are priced at the affordable end of the market either. Just like real estate on the open market, Retirement Villages offer a range of options –...

If I live in a retirement village will I get access to the care home on-site? The truth is that if you need a high level of support and can no longer stay in your village unit, you are likely to be able to access care in the onsite care...

Retirement village residents who hold a Licence to Occupy may be eligible for the Government's full Rates Rebate, as long as they meet the income criteria. Each year, usually in mid-June, the Government updates the income and rebate thresholds. You can find more information on rates rebates in retirement villages...

The following example shows how the Deferred Management Fee (DMF) is worked out in New Zealand, and how it affects the final payment to you or your estate when you leave a retirement village. Example – Mr C Mr C chose a unit in a village close to his old...

Depending on where you want to live in New Zealand, the cost of ‘buying’ into a retirement village can vary greatly – some units can be priced in the $100,000s while others can reach into the millions. This ‘purchase’ price is known as the Capital Contribution. You can search for...

Retirement Village Manager The retirement village manager is the legal representative of the owner or operator of a village. In practical terms, they're the one keeping things running smoothly day-to-day. Their responsibilities can include hiring staff, overseeing the maintenance of buildings and facilities, coordinating village activities, and making sure residents...

You are responsible for paying for your personal costs, such as personal contents insurance, internal maintenance to your dwelling, power, phone and paid television/streaming services. You may also find that some activities/outings incur additional costs too. The majority of retirement villages in New Zealand also charge weekly fees, which covers...

All retirement villages in New Zealand have associated costs, such as weekly fees. These generally cover things such as council and water rates, building insurance, external maintenance (including gardening), upkeep of communal facilities, staff costs, gardening and management of the village. You are responsible for paying for your personal costs,...

A Disclosure Statement is one of the documents you will receive if you intend to ‘purchase’ into a village (alongside an Occupation Right Agreement ). A Disclosure Statement is an important document to read and understand, as it explains the key information about moving to a village, including the type...

Retirement villages are becoming an increasingly popular choice for older New Zealanders who want to live independently among a like-minded community of people. But what exactly is a retirement village, and what can you expect if you decide to move into one? Under Section 6 of the Retirement Villages Act...

The Code of Residents' Rights outlines the basic rights you have as a resident living in a New Zealand retirement village under the Retirement Villages Act. A copy of it must be given to intending residents with their disclosure statement, as well as to any resident or potential resident if...

You may be planning on making a retirement village your forever home, but life can be unpredictable. That's why it's helpful to understand the process of leaving a village before you move into one. You're free to leave a retirement village at any time you want. One important protection to...

All registered retirement villages in New Zealand are governed by the Retirement Villages Act 2003. The Retirement Villages Act and its regulations are designed to protect the interest of residents, and sets out basic standards for operating a village. These standards include things like: what information operators must disclose to...

The Retirement Villages Association (RVA) is the professional body which represents most retirement villages across New Zealand. Villages choose to become members and pay a fee to belong. In return, the RVA advocates for them in a number of areas, such as: Lobbying politicians, helping them understand the sector, raising...

This Retirement Villages Code of Practice establishes minimum requirements that retirement village operators must comply with to meet their legal obligations in New Zealand. These include some occupation right agreement terms and different types of policies an operator must have. Provisions in the code are enforceable by residents against operators....

When you're exploring retirement villages in New Zealand, you'll find a wide range of accommodation options. Here's a simple breakdown of the most common choices and what they offer. Villas are standalone homes, usually with one to three bedrooms (sometimes more). They often come with their own garden or outdoor...

Villages vary greatly – you’ll notice different-sized villages, from very few units to some with hundreds; different types of units within the same complex; newer villages and older villages. You will discover the community facilities can vary, with some villages offering a wide range such as a swimming pool, bowling...

Each move within a village incurs a cost. If moving between independent accommodation types (such as downsizing to a smaller unit), you will pay a ‘transfer fee.’ This is generally charged at a fixed percentage of the original license fee (which can range from 2 – 15%). You won’t have...

Not every retirement village in Aotearoa New Zealand offers aged care on site, so it's important to understand exactly what support is available before you make a move. The questions below can help you compare villages and get a feel for the level of care you can expect. What services...

More than 53,000 people live in retirement villages throughout New Zealand, and research suggests that most residents report a high level of satisfaction. Of course, it all comes down to choosing a village that is right for you. Make sure you visit a village more than once before you make...

Retirement villages in Aotearoa New Zealand offer a wide range of accommodation options, including villas, townhouses, apartments, and studios ( learn more here ). Remember – whichever option you choose will become your home, so it needs to feel right for your lifestyle. Here are some questions to ask when...

The Retirement Villages Association (RVA) is a voluntary association that represents retirement village operators, managers, and commercial organisations across New Zealand. Their aim is to provide a high standard of living for village residents. Choosing an RVA member retirement village means that you are protected under the Retirement Villages Act...

‘Buying’ into a retirement village is not the same as purchasing a family home, for example. You need specialist legal advice, as there can be some legal ‘fishhooks’ to get your head around. The following questions are designed to assist in your decision-making process: Legal stuff Have you received and...

Just like any property purchase, moving into a retirement village is a big financial commitment. Every village operates a little differently, and fees or conditions can vary from village to village and region to region. Getting specialist legal advice is one of the best ways to make sure you understand...

Villages in New Zealand vary greatly – in size, location, on-site offerings, ownership, philosophy and of course price – so it comes down to choosing the village that best suits your needs. Before you get your heart set on any particular village or unit, spend plenty of time studying your...

Approximately 14% of the people aged 75 and older choose to live in a village – and that number is set to increase as our population continues to age. It is estimated that 26,000 retirement village units will need to be built by 2033 just to keep up with current...

A serviced apartment, a common retirement village option, provides for the delivery of services to people who are paying privately for services. Commonly these people are reasonably independent. Services range from meals and cleaning services to, in some cases, high-end services such as a personal chef and chauffeur. High levels...

Buying into a village is different to purchasing a house. For the majority of villages, you do not ‘own’ it or the land it’s on (as you might own a house elsewhere). The sum you pay to 'buy' into the village is known as your Capital Contribution. An Occupation Right...

When looking to a move to a retirement village, it’s important to consider how your new surroundings will suit your lifestyle. Here are a few questions to ask yourself when making your shortlist: Village life Is it easy for loved ones to visit? Can your friends/whānau (such as grandchildren) stay?...

With more than 400 Retirement Villages in New Zealand, there is plenty of choice when it comes to where to live. Villages vary greatly – in size, location, on-site offerings, ownership, culture and of course, price – so it comes down to choosing the village that best suits your needs....

Before you get your heart set on any particular village or unit, take your time to look around and gather as much information as you can. Talk to friends who've already done their research or who have moved into a village themselves. Explore all your options, and make sure you...