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.

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Long awaited reforms to the retirement village sector will better protect residents and their families who have sometimes waited too long to be paid out for vacated and unsold village units, says the Retirement Villages’ Residents’ Council. The reforms announced by the Government today include mandatory payment of capital on unsold or vacated units at 12 months, interest payable on capital after six months, clear rules on chattels - ‘you own it, you fix it.’ and a new independent complaints scheme. These are areas the Council has strongly advocated for. “These changes are a welcome step in the right direction. They strike a better balance, being fairer for residents and village operators alike,” said Council spokesperson Carol Shepherd. “As representatives of residents of villages across New Zealand, we would have liked the repayment of capital to have been six months, not 12 months. “We also acknowledge that some residents who are in villages today will be upset that the new regime will not apply to their contracts. “However, overall, these reforms strengthen protections for residents, particularly future residents, and their families without undermining the ability of operators, large or small, to invest, maintain quality, and provide a range of accommodation options for older Kiwis. “It’s critical to have a sustainable village industry to meet the needs of our growing elderly population and these reforms recognise that village operators vary from the very large to the very small, run by charities and trusts. We need all kinds of operators that can thrive across New Zealand. “The reforms also deal with other pain points for residents. For example, interest accruing at six months on capital, clarification of who fixes chattels, and no fees to be paid once units are vacated, coupled with an independent complaints resolution scheme. “It’s important that residents and their families who make such a significant investment in their twilight years can access a low cost, independent process to resolve issues - this will reduce stress and speed resolution. “All up the reforms mean residents in the future can look forward to a more consistent approach to how their interests are managed by village operators no matter where they live - that’s a good thing. “Residents tell us what they need so we encourage the Minister and officials to work with the Council to co-design the complaints scheme, a standard ORA template, and a chattel-ownership framework. “We need a regime that is fairer for residents and one that also ensures we have a sustainable industry - the quicker the law changes pass through Parliament the better for all,” said Shepherd. For more information contact: Carol Shepherd 027 465 3661 About the Retirement Villages’ Residents’ Council Who does the Council represent? The Council is a fresh independent voice to advocate on behalf of retirement village residents. Who are the Council members? The Council currently has 7 members who were nominated by their villages and / or residents and selected by the independent chair. They reside in various retirement villages, both large and small, throughout the country and bring significant experience to the council, many having served or are serving on the residents committees of villages. Why was the Council formed? The Council aims to act as an independent body representing the interests of retirement village residents. How is the Council independent when funded by operators? The Council is funded by the Retirement Villages Association (RVA), which represents most of the operators, developers and managers of retirement villages throughout New Zealand. However, the RVA has no say in anything that the Council does, including its views on policies or how it spends its budget. It does not attend meetings, does not receive agendas or minutes and has no influence over how the Council’s budget is applied. This independence is underpinned by the Council’s terms of reference. The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

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The Retirement Villages’ Residents’ Council has undertaken research that has included quantitative and qualitative research, as well as regular surveying of residents. As an evidence-led organisation, the Council relies on its research as well as its in-depth understanding of retirement villages, to inform its advocacy. Its research highlights some complex issues that warrant careful and further investigation. It is releasing key themes and implications, whilst noting that further investigation is warranted into some areas. Those investigations are ongoing. Research undertaken thus far in 2025 finds that: · There is a strong preference for there to be a choice in retirement village living. · There is a strong preference for a fair and independent complaints scheme. · There is a strong preference for a Standardised Occupation Rights Agreement. · There is a strong preference for clarity over ownership of chattels and fixtures and responsibility for repair. · Views on termination and repayment were highly dependent on personal situations of people now living in retirement villages. · There was a preference for repayment of capital so that families/estates did not have to wait, with the next highest rank need being funding for their aged care. · Most residents want a mandatory capital repayment within 3-6 months or less. There are indications that longer waiting times for repayment of capital would generally be accepted by residents if it helped avoid higher costs to pay for it. · Both qualitative and qualitative research, as well as surveys, indicate most residents would accept a longer wait if interest were paid immediately or if a lump-sum was paid within 5 days. · There is little appetite for higher costs with the majority of residents opposed to paying higher deferred management fees (DMF) or weekly fees to secure faster repayment. However, if costs have to be met, increased weekly fees were the least acceptable option, followed by DMF and capital input. · In quantitative research most residents would like changes to apply to them, but qualitative surveying indicates that many residents worried about the impact of costs and some thought retrospectivity was fundamentally unfair. About the Research Initial quantitative research was independently undertaken by Talbot Mills in August 2025, with 290 residents responding. Initial qualitative research was independently undertaken by Talbot Mills in August 2025, with 23 resident interviews. Surveying by the Council has been undertaken over the past 18 months during village presentations to 950 residents throughout NZ with 25% of them completing a survey.

Our August 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.

The Retirement Villages' Residents’ Council believes reforms are needed that ensure sustainability and fairness – protecting resident choice and assets while safeguarding the long-term viability of all kinds of villages. The Council says its engagement with residents shows that the vast majority are happy with village life, but improvements are needed to ensure fairness and consistency across the sector. Villages serve more than 53,000 New Zealanders, ranging from large listed companies to small rural charitable facilities. With an ageing population, the importance of getting the balance right is crucial. The Council has been engaging with residents to understand their needs via research meetings and village visits. Key Council proposals include: Occupation Rights Agreements (ORAs): Mandatory capital repayment within six months of ORA termination for new contracts. Interest paid on amounts owing after three months for existing contracts. For all contracts: Cessation of weekly fees once a resident vacates Operators responsible for ensuring residents can move to care (including interest-free loans and fast payouts if necessary). Later repayment only if a village faces genuine financial hardship. Standardised ORAs: Introduction of a basic ORA across all operators to enable easier comparison and informed decision-making. No retrospective changes to existing ORAs, recognising the contractual commitments already made, except as above. Complaints Scheme: A fair, accessible and independent complaints scheme, funded by operators, to protect residents. The Council has worked closely with the Retirement Commissioner’s investigation and broadly supports its proposed scheme. Other points: Fixtures and fittings: “You own it – you fix it.” Capital gains and losses: if residents don’t share in gains, they should not share in losses. These changes will strengthen protections for residents, provide clarity and consistency across the sector, and ensure villages can continue to meet the diverse needs of New Zealand’s growing ageing population.