Retirement Villages Wairarapa

Over the hill or through the railway tunnel from our capital city is one of the country’s best kept secrets: the Wairarapa. Each town in the Wairarapa has its own charm and community style. Greytown’s Edwardian buildings and tempting shops and cafes draw Wellingtonians across the hill, as do Martinborough’s vineyards. Featherston’s many bookshops form the focus for its annual Booktown Festival, with events and guest speakers. Carterton still retains its rural hub atmosphere, and hosts an annual A&P Show at Clareville. Masterton, home of the Golden Shears, is the main shopping centre for the region, and the base for the regional hospital. Long established communities offer many activities from bowling clubs to choirs and drama societies.

Warm, sunny summers and crisp winters make for plentiful fresh vegetables and berry and stonefruit. Martinborough, Gladstone and Masterton are the main winemaking areas, with many wineries open for tastings. You can ride the shuttle bus at the annual Toast Martinborough festival to explore wineries, cellar doors and food. Then in February relax by the Ruamāhanga River at the Wairarapa Wines Harvest Festival, listening to live music and sampling local wines paired with food.

You’ll find a cluster of retirement villages in Masterton, with others in the smaller towns like Carterton and Martinborough, and new developments underway, that offer a range of properties, price points and options.