Murray Halberg Retirement Village

Each Ryman village is named in honour of a Kiwi or Aussie trailblazer: Anthony Wilding, Lady Diana Isaac, Evelyn Page. They pushed further and set the bar high for others to aspire to. In creating communities that challenge the expectations of ageing, Ryman villages are also setting the bar high. They’re demonstrating that a retirement lifestyle brimming with new experiences, connections and fulfilment is something we should aspire to. Our Kiwi and Aussie namesakes represent the measure of inspiration, while Ryman villages represent the measure of retirement living.

Sir Murray Halberg (1933-2022)

Olympic gold medalist, Sir Murray Halberg ONZ MBE was a true role model and champion – both on and off the running track. An extremely well-decorated athlete, he was a notable national figure holding more than 50 years’ service to athletics.

The former middle-distance runner who won gold at the 1960 Olympic Games held in Rome also founded The Halberg Foundation in 1963. The organisation supports young New Zealanders with disabilities to be active in their communities and express themselves through sport and recreation.

An agile runner, he also took home gold in the 5000-metre and 3-mile events of the 1958 and 1962 Commonwealth Games held in Cardiff and Perth respectively.

His accolades include New Zealand Sportsman of the Year 1958, Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1961, and a Knight Bachelor in 1988. Halberg was appointed to the Order of New Zealand in June 2008. He was then awarded the prestigious Blake Medal the month after, one of only 4 recipients at the time.

Halberg’s altruistic character is admired by the nation and his dedication to enhancing the lives of physically disabled young people is witnessed through his founding of The Halberg Foundation.

A Clean Pair of Heels: The Murray Halberg Story as Told to Garth Gilmour provides a comprehensive look into Halberg’s extraordinary life.