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 7 council members including a 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  by retirement village residents' committees or other residents.

See our terms of reference

News

15 April 2026
Retirement Villages' Residents" Council Member Tom Parsons writes his opinion on "Isolated issues not typical of happy retirement village living". Read the full article HERE
8 April 2026
Newly appointed Chair of the Retirement Villages’ Residents’ Council Carol Shepherd and Council member Denise Whitehead had a positive catchup with the Bay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford today.  Carol outlined her actions as the new Chair to Minister Rutherford who wishes her well in her new role.
16 February 2026
By Julie Shepherd, board member of the Retirement Villages’ Residents’ Council OPINION: Debate about retirement village reform is both necessary and welcome. The sector touches the lives, homes and financial security of tens of thousands of older New Zealanders, and it is entirely proper that Parliament examines whether the balance between residents and operators is fair. But reform must be grounded in realism, respect for the rule of law, and an understanding of the consequences of what is being proposed. Without that, advocacy risks becoming theatre rather than a serious contribution to public policy. Read the full article HERE