MEDIA RELEASE
New retirement village to meet growing demand in Hawkes Bay
Ryman Healthcare is planning to build a new $100 million retirement village in Havelock North.
The new village on Te Aute Rd will be Ryman Healthcare’s 40th village in New Zealand, and will offer Havelock North residents a range of retirement living options as well as resthome, hospital and specialist dementia care.
Ryman Healthcare Chief Development Officer Andrew Mitchell said Havelock North had an ageing population and a shortage of retirement living options for residents.
“Because of its great climate Havelock North has long been a haven for people to retire to. There is a real shortage of retirement care options in the area, and we think residents will like the concept of a Ryman-style village in the area offering a continuum of care.’’
Ryman plans to build a village on the six-hectare site with independent living apartments and townhouses, assisted living apartments, and an aged care centre. It will also include resort-style amenities including an indoor pool, hair and beauty salons, a bowling green, and a movie theatre.
The site is in a peaceful setting beside a stream and is close to town.
“The site has fantastic views of Te Mata Peak and is only five minutes from Havelock North. We’re delighted to have secured it – we had been looking in the area for some time but were waiting for the right opportunity.’’
The new village will free up local houses for sale, create more than 100 long-term jobs and inject about $10 million a year into the local economy. It will be Ryman’s second in the bay, Princess Alexandra is home to more than 250 residents.
Mr Mitchell said Ryman would be consulting with Havelock North residents before submitting plans for the village.
“We want to build an amenity that everyone in the area can be proud of so we will be talking to anyone interested in our plans before we develop them further.’’
Ryman Healthcare Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Debbie McClure said the company would like to hear from anyone with any naming suggestions for the village.
Ryman names all its villages after significant people. Other villages include Princess Alexandra, Kiri Te Kanawa in Gisborne and Edmund Hillary in Auckland.
Debbie said there was nothing like local knowledge.
“We’ve found over the years that the best suggestions come from the people who know the place well. We’d love to hear any suggestions there are out there. We’d love to name it in honour of a significant Hawkes Bay local who everyone can identify with.’’
