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

Oversimplifying village residents’ voices won’t deliver fair reform , Carol Shepherd, Spokesperson for the Retirement Villages' Residents' Council There is rarely a single legitimate voice for any large and diverse group of people. Retirement village residents are no exception. More than 50,000 New Zealanders live in retirement villages. They come from different backgrounds, have different financial circumstances, different health needs and very different expectations about ageing. It should surprise no-one that they do not all speak with one voice — nor should they be expected to. Much has been written recently about who represents residents and what residents want. In that debate, it is important to understand who the Retirement Villages’ Residents’ Council is — and, more importantly, what we hear directly from residents themselves. Read full article HERE