What is the best retirement village for my lifestyle?
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?...
Do all retirement villages have care on site?
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...
How do I make a complaint about a retirement village?
It is important for retirement village residents to know they have the right to make a complaint. Every retirement village operator in New Zealand is required to have a complaint policy that follows the Retirement Villages Code of Practice. This policy should be accessible to residents and potential residents in...
Looking for a retirement village property? Consider this
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...
Do residents need to move from the village to receive care?
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...
Thinking of retirement living? Here are the legal must-dos
Buying into a retirement village is quite different from purchasing a home in the traditional sense. There can be some legal 'fishhooks' to get your head around, the terminology is specialised, and there are important rights and responsibilities that you'll want to fully understand. That's why getting proper legal advice...
Thinking of retirement living? Read these key financial tips
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...
Thinking of retirement living? Start here
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,...
My village unit has been flood damaged. What are my options?
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...
Do all villages have to be registered?
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...
How do I choose the right village for me?
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...
Who is NZ's Retirement Commissioner and what is their role?
The Retirement Commissioner in New Zealand is a government-appointed position as part of Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission. The role is responsible for advocating for the interests of older people in relation to retirement income policies (such as New Zealand’s NZ Super pension scheme), services and products. The current...
What is the cost of leaving a village?
The major cost of leaving a village is the Deferred Management Fee (DMF) that is deducted from the original capital sum you paid when ‘purchasing’ into the village. It is to cover the cost of the management and refurbishment of the village (roading, footpaths, lighting, communal amenities etc). The industry...
What are the pros and cons of living in a village?
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...
What is the best village to choose?
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....
What costs will I still need to pay once I enter a village?
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. Most retirement villages in New Zealand also charge weekly fees, which covers expenses such...
What are the costs of entering a village?
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...
What is the Deferred Management Fee: Leaving a village
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...
Will I have to pay if I move within a village?
Every time you relocate within a village - whether it's to a different unit or to receive care - there are some costs to be aware of. Here's how they typically work: If you're shifting between independent living options (for example, downsizing to a smaller unit), a transfer fee is...
Are there rental options for older people in New Zealand?
Home ownership in New Zealand has been declining for the past 30 years, a fact that has been exacerbated more recently by rising inflation and the increased cost of living. As a result, an increasing number of older people rent. While there are a variety of rental options that may...