Retirement Villages' Residents' Council

Representing retirement village residents

Learn more

Kia ora,  Welcome... 

The Retirement Villages' Residents' Council is an independent body representing the collective interests of retirement village residents in Aotearoa, New Zealand.


We strive to be an inclusive environment where resident concerns can be addressed, opinions can be given, ideas can be shared, and decisions made.

We provide an opportunity for retirement village residents to share and express their independent views to retirement village stakeholders.

Retirement villages in numbers

452

The number of retirement villages  in Aotearoa, New Zealand

39,070

The number of units within retirement villages in Aotearoa, New Zealand

50,791

Estimated number of retirement village residents in Aotearoa, New Zealand

Council objectives

We have five key objectives for the Council - effective communication, supporting the the implementation of best practices, to put the interests of residents at the heart of every decision, to act as a conduit between residents, management and Retirement Villages Association members and to seek opportunities for positive change on issues that affect retirement village residents.

Learn more

Council structure

The Council currently has 11 council members plus an independent chairperson. 


Its terms of reference provide that the Council at any one time, can consist of between 10 and 20 residents who are interested in actively participating in representing their fellow residents of retirement villages.


Our Council members have all been selected by the Chairperson from candidates nominated or suggested by retirement villages, operators and other stakeholders.

See our terms of reference

News

by Deborah Hart 18 October 2024
The Government appears on the right track in signalling changes to better balance the needs of residents of retirement villages and operators and ensure this critical industry remains viable. "We welcome the direction of travel for future reform following the review of the industry carried out by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development," said Carol Shepherd of the Retirement Villages’ Residents’ Council (Council). The next stage of the review including key priorities for further work was announced by Ministers on 16 October 2024. This includes the intention to bring new legislation to reform the Retirement Villages Act to Parliament in the next term. "The Council has advocated for legislative change to provide improved consumer protections for residents and ensure the industry is sustainable so this is much needed, albeit slower progress than we would have wanted. "The country faces big challenges in this sector with the population of villages set to more than double from 50,000 residents today within the next 20 or so years. "It is pleasing that the Government has recognised the need to balance the needs of residents and the need for a sustainable industry. As our population grows and ages, residents need to have choices, their assets need to be better protected and the industry must be able to provide affordable options. "Specifically, the Council is pleased the Government has decided to look at options for incentivising or requiring early capital repayments when residents move out of a village. "This has been a big issue for residents. They quite rightly want their capital returned to them or their families quickly and interest should be paid as well if the process takes too long. "The Council also welcomes the intention to prioritise work on better managing complaints and disputes and who should pay for the maintenance of operator-owned chattels and fixtures. These are also areas of great concern for residents. "The Council looks forward to working with the Government on the next stage of the review to ensure changes that benefit residents," said Carol Shepherd. To view the Government announcement, click HERE
by Deborah Hart 9 October 2024
New Council Appointed
by Deborah Hart 22 September 2024
Our first newsletter is available today. See below link. You can subscribe by pushing the button at the top of the newsletter or by emailing: info@residentscouncil.org.nz with the subject "Subscribe to Newsletter", we will then add you to our database for updates/newsletters.
Share by: