Retirement villages in New Zealand vary greatly – in size, location, on-site offerings, ownership, philosophy and of course price. Choosing the right one really comes down to finding a village that fits your lifestyle, expectation, and future needs.
Before you get your heart set on any particular village or unit, spend plenty of time studying your options. Here are some questions to help you get started on your journey:
- Entry age: Did you know entry age varies widely across villages? Check you/your partner meet entry age criteria.
- Village registration: Is the village registered? Not all villages are required to be, and there a pros and cons to both options. Learn more at retirement.govt.nz
- Accreditation: Is the village' accreditation certificate current? You can check this on www.retirementvillages.org.nz.
- Ownership: Who owns the village? Is it a listed company, a not-for-profit trust, or a private entity? How might this affect you?
- Experience/reputation: Do the owners have experience operating or developing other villages? Are they reputable?
- Management: Who is running the village day to day? Are they qualified and experienced? What about the wider staff team?
- Statutory supervisor: What role do they play in ensuring resident interests are protected?
- Maintenance: What is included in the maintenance schedule? Can residents have a say in this?
- Construction status: Is the village finished? If not, could you handle the noise and mess of ongoing construction? What if it never gets finished?
- Complaints process: How are concerns or complaints addressed? What is the expected timeframe for a response and solution?
Find more helpful articles about how to choose the best retirement village for you on our Knowledge Lab. Alternatively, download our checklist to help you on your search.
Updated: 25 Nov 2025