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 a decision, and if possible, visit more than one village to get a sense of how each one operates and the type of culture it has. Meet the people you're likely to interact with, such as the owner, the manager and other residents. Talking with several residents can give you a helpful range of perspectives. Find out if there are regular social events or meetings and ask if you can come along and see if the village community feels like a place you would want to be a part of.
As you start the process of choosing a village that suits your needs, here are a few questions worth considering:
- Is the village registered? Not all villages have to be and there are pros and cons with each option. See retirement.govt.nz
- Is its accreditation certificate current? (see www.retirementvillages.org.nz)
- Who owns the village? Is it a listed company, a not-for-profit trust or private partnership? How might this affect you?
- Do the owners have experience operating or developing other villages? Are they reputable?
- Who manages the village?
- Is the village finished? If not, think about whether ongoing construction noise or disruption would bother you. What could it mean if it never gets finished?
- What kind of lifestyle suits you best? Do you prefer your own company or are you a social butterfly? How might village living affect your quality of life?
- What are the village’s rules? Can they be changed? If so, do residents have a say in changing the rules?
Use our full checklist to help you decide if village life could suit you.
When you're ready, you can start browsing available properties in your price range here.
Updated: 28 Nov 2025