Have Your Say: New Survey on Occupation Rights Agreements

We want to know what residents think and we are always looking for ways to better understand resident needs.


So the Retirement Villages’ Residents’ Council this week invited residents to take part in a short survey about Occupation Rights Agreements — specifically, what matters most when it comes to getting your money back after the agreement ends.

Many residents have raised concerns about covering costs after they leave their village or when their estate is managing financial matters.

This anonymous survey, conducted by independent firm Talbot Mills Research, will help ensure residents’ voices are heard on this important issue. The survey takes just a few minutes to complete and will remain open for around a week.


As a thank you, everyone who completes it will go into the draw to win one of three $100 Prezzy Cards. (Contact details are only used for the prize draw and are kept separate from survey responses.)


You can take part in the survey and please share this with other village residents — every voice counts. Take the survey HERE  

Otago Daily Times - Council reflects reality of residents’ diverse views

2 February 2026
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

Our December Newsletter

10 December 2025
Our December Newsletter is available HERE . You can subscribe by emailing: info@residentscouncil.org.nz with the subject "Subscribe to Newsletter", we will then add you to our database for updates/newsletters.