Eldernet provides older people and those supporting them comprehensive information about moving to aged residential care (including rest homes, private hospitals, dementia care, and respite). Eldernet lists all Residential Care facilities in New Zealand.
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Residential Care
Consider all your options. View a complete list of all care homes in New Zealand. Filter results by level of care, location, and other considerations.
View AllCare Home Vacancies
Sometimes time is a factor. If you need to move to a care home immediately you can view those with current vacancies here. Filter results by level of care, location, and other considerations.
Search VacanciesCare Suites
As an alternative to paying daily accommodation charges, you can “purchase” your room in a care home. Find out more and view currently available care suites.
Find Out MoreWhat is a rest home?
A New Zealand rest home, also known as a care home or residential aged care facility, is a place where older adults can receive around-the-clock care and support in a comfortable and secure environment. There are four levels of care delivered in residential care facilities in New Zealand: Rest Home, Hospital, Rest Home Dementia, and Psychogeriatric Specialist Hospital Care. All care home facilities are certified by the Ministry of Health, which involves an audit process to identify providers that deliver high levels of care.
Welcome to my home - Health Quality & Safety Commission

What is Care Association New Zealand (CANZ)?
CANZ is the abbreviation for the Care Association New Zealand. CANZ is the smaller of the two professional agencies which represent providers of Aged Residential Care in New Zealand (that is, rest homes, dementia care home, and aged care hospitals). These providers pay a membership fee to belong to the...
Learn about Rest Home/Care home Certification & Audits
The Ministry of Health website's Rest home certification and audits section shows which facilities are certified to deliver specific types or levels of care. The longest period given is five years. A shorter period usually indicates that the auditors require additional work to be done in order to meet full...
How are rest homes different to retirement villages?
Rest homes and retirement villages are terms that are often used incorrectly and interchangeably which causes confusion. Not only do they serve different purposes they are governed by different legislation and regulations. To many people, the word rest home includes ANY facility where older people live and where they can...
What should I look for in a rest home?
A New Zealand rest home, also known as a care home or residential aged care facility, is a place where older people live and receive care and support in a comfortable and secure environment.
Rest homes provide a range of services, including assistance with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, and eating, as well as medical care and supervision. They also offer various social and recreational activities, such as outings, hobbies, and entertainment, to help residents stay active and engaged.
There is no such thing as ‘the best’ rest home, as what suits one person doesn’t suit another: for some, being near family, friends and familiar places is crucial, while for others it’s the size and type of room available that's most important. The most important element in an ideal rest home is the philosophy and delivery of care.
Rest homes vary considerably and there can be a wide range of rooms to choose from – such as standard rooms, premium options that offer additional services, and care suites, which combines retirement village and residential care elements. Regardless of which room or residential care facility you choose, you will receive the same standard of care.
Make sure you visit a rest home more than once before you make a decision – you may want to try out a rest home first, either via a trial period or by booking short-stay respite care. When you are ready to consider a rest home, our checklist can help you navigate the process. Then start browsing care home and residential care vacancies.
Your options
Home and Community
Fully independent and living at home. There are many services to make life at home easier.
Retirement Village
Independent living in a purpose built property with varying levels of support.
Residential Care
The full service options for all the support and levels of care you could need.
News in the community
Want to read the latest news and events? See what's going on around NZ. This newsletter is created by contributions direct from the Eldernet community and is filled with good news and updates.

Kimihia Home & Hospital - Dementia
Thank you to our Kimihia Nurses for your unwavering compassion, dedication and expertise in caring for our residents. Every year on the 12th of May, the world celebrates IND which is the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale (pioneer of modern nursing). This day honors the critical role nurses play in...

Kimihia Home & Hospital - Rest Home
We are grateful to 'Friends of Kimihia Trust' for purchasing an Oxygen Concentrator and Syringe Pump Driver. This is the fruits of your relentless fundraising projects for Kimihia Home and Hospital. With your help, we can continue to provide a loving and supportive environment for our residents

South Care Rest Home & Hospital - Rest Home
You can now be updated on what's happening at South Care Rest Home & Hospital through our monthly newsletters. Read them on our website and share in the joy of our activities. Click the link below: https://soundcare.co.nz/newsletters/south-care-news-april-2025/

Eltham Care Rest Home - Rest Home
You can now be updated on what's happening at Eltham Care Rest Home through our monthly newsletters. Read them on our website and share in the joy of our activities. Click the link below: https://soundcare.co.nz/newsletters/eltham-care-news-april-2025/