Frequently asked questions

LET US BREAK IT DOWN FOR YOU

We've compiled a list of the topics you're most interested in when considering the lifestyle at a Ryman village.

If you have further questions or you would simply like to talk through the options available, please contact us we would love to hear from you.

 GENERAL LIVING

"I have a grandson at boarding school, and he likes to come and visit and eat me out of house and home and sleep for hours. That’s been lovely as we’ve become quite close."
- Rosemary Brownie, Ryman resident

People choose to move to a retirement village for a mix of practical, social, and lifestyle reasons – and often, it’s about gaining more freedom.

Letting go of the responsibilities of maintaining a large home or garden can open the door to new opportunities such as locking up and leaving to travel for a while, knowing your home will be secure and maintained, rates paid, lawns mowed, and mail collected in your absence.

Many residents are drawn to the sense of community. Living among like-minded people makes it easier to build friendships, stay socially active, and be supported day‑to‑day. Villages also offer amenities like fitness centres, cafés, craft rooms, and organised activities.

There’s also the peace of mind factor. Ryman villages have onsite care centres, meaning you have access to support over non-residents if your needs change in the future.

Ryman villages offer include independent living in apartments and townhouses and assisted living in serviced apartments. Assisted living providesthe benefits of independent living with added support to make life easier, including housekeeping and delicious chef-prepared meals.

We also offer a range of care options to support you. These include rest home, respite, and in most cases, hospital and dementia care. In some circumstances you can also choose to receive rest home care in your own serviced apartment.

Learn more about Ryman living and care options

Ryman villages are designed for residents aged 70 and over.

When you buy a unit at a Ryman village you purchase the right to occupy, which gives you the right to live in the unit and use the village facilities. You pay an upfront entry amount, a weekly fee for services like maintenance and groundskeeping, and a deferred management fee that’s deducted when you leave.

Day‑to‑day operations such as maintenance, communal spaces, and compliance with regulations are handled by the village. Residents have input through meetings or committees, but Ryman takes care of legal and financial responsibilities to keep the village running smoothly.

Start by getting in touch with the village you’re interested in, either by requesting an appointment to tour the village or by attending a village open day and chatting with the team to understand your options. If you decide to proceed, Ryman provides a full disclosure pack and an Occupation Right Agreement for you to review with your lawyer.

Once everything is signed and the entry payment is made, you can choose your move‑in date and look forward to settling into your new home.

Living in a retirement village as an independent or assisted living resident is a balance of independence and community. You live in your own home and set your own routine, but you’re surrounded by people at a similar stage of life, which makes it easier to build friendships and feel connected to your surrounding community.

Ryman villages also offer a range of amenities that help make daily life enjoyable and convenient. Without the responsibilities of home maintenance, many residents find themselves getting involved with activities, clubs, and events at the village, as there’s always something to get involved in if you choose to.

At the same time, there’s peace of mind knowing there is an onsite care centre that you have priority access to over non-residents if your needs change. For many, it’s a proactive choice that enhances their independence and wellbeing.

Yes, apartments and townhouses can have garages attached, covered parking, or basement parking available to buy. Or, if you're happy leaving your car outside, we have parking areas that are well lit and security patrolled.

Yes, as long as the village manager and sales advisor approve your pet as being suitable for the village.

Yes, we have weekly inter-denominational church services at our villages.

Our village services include a hairdressing service, a visiting podiatrist, physiotherapist, beauty therapist, and dry-cleaning service available at your own cost.

Yes, for short periods of time. As a courtesy, we ask that you consult with the village manager first.

You’re always welcome to raise any concerns directly with any team member, including the village manager. Alternatively, Ryman villages have a formal complaints procedure and a resident advocate. We hold regular meetings with residents to discuss any concerns.

No. Ryman is proud to have created thriving retirement villages in New Zealand. We understand a need for retirement rentals but have no plans to offer this as retirement village payment option at this time.

Yes. There is legislation that covers you when you buy a retirement property as well as once you move into one of our retirement villages. At Ryman we also understand you might change your mind after moving into one of our villages, so we offer a 90-day money-back guarantee*.

Under the Retirement Villages Act 2003, if you change your mind within 15 working days of signing your occupancy agreement you can cancel your agreement and we guarantee to refund your deposit in full.

*Conditions apply

Some Ryman residents choose to keep working, usually part time, because it gives them purpose, routine, and financial flexibility. If you can live safely and independently, working is perfectly compatible with village life. Some residents even find living in a retirement village makes working easier because their exterior maintenance and gardens are taken care of.  

 CARE

"I’ve got to say the care that my husband has had all the way through has been absolutely marvellous. The girls that look after him, they’re angels, they really are."
- Margaret McDermott, Ryman resident

Retirement villages are designed for people who want to maintain autonomy and continue living life on their own terms. Residents often still travel and pursue hobbies outside the village. The focus is on lifestyle, community, and convenience.

Aged care homes (care centres) are suited to those who need more comprehensive or ongoing support due to health or mobility challenges. These environments provide higher-level care, including help with daily activities and medical needs.

At Ryman villages, you can move in as an independent or assisted-living resident and enjoy the freedom of village life, knowing that if your needs change, you’ll have priority access to on-site care. This continuity offers peace of mind and a smoother transition should your care requirements increase.

There are no set visiting hours.* This is your home, so visitors are welcome any time. The amenities are available for you to enjoy with your friends and family. We just ask that you respect the privacy of other residents.

As well as independent living, Ryman villages also offer assisted living in serviced apartments, resthome care and, in most villages, hospital and specialist dementia care. So, even if your needs are different you can still be near your partner or friends. If no space is available at your preferred village at this time, we will do our best to accommodate you at another Ryman village that provides the care you need until a suitable space is available at your village of choice.

Care options vary between villages, please check with your local village.

Learn more about our living and care options.

Yes, residents will enjoy priority access over non-Ryman residents at the time of transfer to assisted living in serviced apartments, resthome, hospital and specialist dementia care. Should a space be unavailable at the time of your transfer, we will do our best to accommodate you at another Ryman village that provides the level of care you need until a space becomes available at your preferred village that provides that same level of care.

Many of us will be unsure about where to begin when the time comes where care is needed. We’ve put together a step-by-step guide to provide you with a simple guideline. From assessing your care needs and costs to moving into a care centre, we’ve got everything covered.

Typically, the care centre opens within a year of the first residents moving in. You can contact the village manager for more information.

 FINANCIAL

When moving into a village, the key costs to understand are:

  • The entry payment (the price of your unit), which is determined by your Occupation Right Agreement (ORA)
  • The Deferred Management Fee (DMF)
  • Weekly fee
  • A service fee for any additional services you need now or in the future.

Occupation Right Agreements (ORA) are written agreements that give you the right to occupy a unit in a retirement village on certain terms and conditions. It is different from regular property ownership, because you are paying for the right to live in the unit, but you do not own the unit itself. 

Prices vary dependent on each village, so we recommend you contact our sales team about the price of available apartments or townhouses in your preferred village. The entry payment agreed in your Occupation Right Agreement (ORA) covers your home in the village and access to our award-winning services and world-class amenities.

The deferred management fee (DMF) is your contribution to the continued maintenance and management of the village, including your unit and village amenities. The DMF also covers the cost of refurbishing and reselling your home in the village.

Often referred to as a departure fee or exit fee, the DMF is an amount that becomes payable when you permanently vacate your unit.

Your entry payment minus the DMF will be paid back to you when a new resident moves into your unit. This means you can be certain this money will be returned to you or your loved ones as soon as possible.

If a new resident has not settled within six months of you vacating your apartment or townhouse, we will pay you interest on the balance of your entry payment from six months after you vacate until your entry payment is repaid. This will be paid to you when we repay your entry payment.

The DMF is calculated as a percentage of the entry price and Ryman's standard DMF is calculated at 30%. Prices vary from village to village, so we recommend you contact our sales team about the price of available apartments or townhouses in your preferred village.

You can choose between fixed or indexed weekly fees which are set at the time of signing your agreement. Indexed weekly fees are linked to the annual increase in superannuation.

Any increases in indexed weekly fees will never exceed the percentage increase in the rate of NZ superannuation in any given year. For example, if NZ Superannuation is $400 per week and rises by 5% to $420 (an increase of $20), your indexed weekly fee would also increase by 5%. If your indexed weekly fee was $195 (for example), a 5% increase would be a $9.75 increase.

Your weekly fee stops as soon as you move out.

The weekly fee covers everything from rates and garden maintenance to village amenities, such as a pool and bowling green, as well as a range of village-run activities. The fee varies depending on which living options and village you choose.

 In Ryman villages, council rates and water rates are covered by your weekly fee.  

Building insurance, general rates and water rates, are covered by your weekly fee. You are responsible for insuring your contents and personal effects.

We want you to be confident you’ve made the right choice in selecting a Ryman village.

In accordance with your rights under the Retirement Villages Act 2003, if you change your mind within 15 working days of signing your occupancy agreement, you can cancel your agreement, and we guarantee to refund your deposit in full.

While we’re sure you’ll love living in a Ryman village, you have 90 days* to change your mind and receive your money back.

We will repay your entry payment in full if, on the expiry of 90 days after taking up permanent residence, you are unhappy with your decision to move into your apartment or townhouse and wish to leave the village.

*Some conditions apply. If you would like to know more, please contact us.

You and your family have certainty about the amount you will be paid when you leave the village. There are no capital gains or losses, and you will receive your entry payment back, minus the DMF.

At Ryman, we have many different living options to suit your budget and your retirement needs including:

  • Independent living in a townhouse or apartment
  • Assisted living in a serviced apartment
  • Hospital care*
  • Specialist dementia care*
  • Respite care.

*Available in most of our villages.

Independent living in a townhouse or apartment gives you the freedom and independence of being in your own home while still being part of a thriving retirement community. Independent living residents will have utility costs such as broadband, phone and power.

However, your weekly fee covers expenses like rates, water and building insurance as well as ground maintenance.

Serviced apartments at Ryman include housekeeping, morning and afternoon tea and a daily main meal plus there are regular outings to the shops and further afield. Any optional extras you choose such as care services or extra meals will incur an additional cost. 

Our care options include rest home, respite and in most villages, hospital and specialist dementia care, which come at an additional cost.

At Ryman, no additional capital is required if you transfer from independent living to a standard serviced apartment. Plus, there are no transfer fees. 

The money you pay to move into a retirement village is protected under the terms of the Retirement Villages Act. This means you can have confidence that your money is secure, as your payment is secured against the property. In the unlikely event that a retirement village gets into difficulty, your entitlement to be repaid takes priority over most other creditors.

 ACTIVITIES AND ENTERTAINMENT

"We’ve just had a cocktail party and a roast dinner night. How do you choose what’s your favourite? There’s always something happening."
- Rosemary Brownie, Ryman resident

Triple A (Ageless, Active, Aware) is Ryman’s bespoke exercise programme that is available to all Ryman residents. The programme improves strength, flexibility, balance, and agility through classes such as functional fitness, circuit and, if you’re less mobile, a ‘sit and be fit’ class.

In addition to Triple A, you can also take advantage of various village amenities such as the heated indoor swimming pool, gym and bowling green.

Our Engage activities programme creates social opportunities and fun activities for you to take part in. From musical entertainment, and a variety of outings, to arts and crafts, the village workshop and our weekly Happy hour, there’s something for everyone.

Absolutely. We maintain strong links with our surrounding communities because we want you to continue being involved in the activities and clubs you’ve always enjoyed. Therefore, we support bowls clubs and various sports clubs and groups in our local communities.

You can be as involved in activities and events as much or as little as you like. It’s entirely up to you.

 

 HOSPITALITY

 Ryman residents look forward to mealtimes because the food tastes great – and it’s nutritious. Our Delicious menu is prepared fresh on site by village chefs, with a choice of three main courses, including a vegetarian option. Residents living in our care centres have their meals fully catered for, and assisted-living residents enjoy a main meal and morning and afternoon tea every day. Independent residents can book a meal at their village any time. 

 Absolutely! Our Delicious frozen meals are a great option if you’ve had a busy day or if you’d simply like a night off cooking. These individually frozen meals are made from scratch using fresh, natural ingredients and can be purchased from your village reception, shop or café. 

 Our village vans schedule regular outings to the shops and further afield. 

 

 

 
More about us
Contact Us

Phone: 0800 588 222

Christchurch office: 03 366 4069

PO Box 771, Christchurch 8140
New Zealand

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