The 2024 Aged Advisor People’s Choice Awards for Best Retirement Village and Aged Care Facilities have been held every year for 10 years. They celebrate the best of the best across Aotearoa.
Four North Island and four South Island gold winners were chosen this year naming Aged Care, Retirement & Lifestyle Villages plus one nationwide group as gold winners. The finalists are chosen from the “best of the rest”, the equivalent of second equal and definitely worthy nominees.
“Because all winners and finalists are chosen by the thousands of reviews Aged Advisor receives every year, these awards are the people’s choice,” says Aged Advisor general manager, Tania Ryan.
“The independence of the awards is what makes them authentic – every person’s vote counts.”
This year’s awards were a combination of familiar names and some exciting new entrants.
WINNER 2024, Best Provider Nationwide – Ryman Group
Ryman takes top prize for the fifth time in the past 10 years of the Annual Aged Advisor People’s Choice Awards.
Ryman Healthcare executive chair, Dean Hamilton emphasised that winning the Best Provider Nationwide award was a direct result of the hard work and dedication of team members in Ryman’s 40 villages nationwide, who consistently provide exceptional standards of care and retirement living.
“To have won this award five times is something we are extremely proud of,” he said. “The high ratings we receive from our residents and their families each year show just how much effort our team puts into providing the best possible experience.
“Everyone, from village managers to caregivers and laundry assistants, play a vital role in creating the vibrant communities which enrich the lives of our residents. I want to express my gratitude to our incredible team members for their commitment to quality and excellence and to express my appreciation to everyone who took the time to submit reviews and share their positive feedback.”
There were three other worthy Nationwide Group Providers which placed 2nd equal making them all finalists in this year’s awards. Last year’s winner, Summerset Group, received many votes across New Zealand, as well as Hopper Living, which had also tasted success in previous awards. These two group providers are consistently in the top of all reviews Aged Advisor receives each year – their professionalism shines through time and time again.
Oceania Healthcare were an exciting new entrant to the 2024 finalist list with many reviews showing they are one to watch in the future!
WINNER 2024, Best Aged Care Small Facility, South Island – Waihi Lodge, Geraldine
Waihi Lodge Care Centre is a community-owned, 21-bed rest home, operated by Seniorcare Geraldine, with 11 other social housing cottages and three supported living apartments.
Staff and residents were thrilled to win this award for the third year in a row. It showed they have maintained the same high level of service key to their successive wins.
“I love living here and would have come into care much sooner if I had known it was going to be like this,” said delighted resident, Dawn Gresham.
WINNER 2024, Best Large Retirement/ Lifestyle Village, North Island – Bream Bay, Whangarei
Bream Bay is a lovely coastal village with 83 thoughtfully designed, single-level villas, located near stunning Ruakaka beach, local cafes, and the nearby Marsden Cove Marina. The small group of committed team members are dedicated to providing the best possible experience for their wonderful residents.
Residents consistently express their love for the community, the team and the sense of security within the village, with everyone looking out for one another. “Everyone was thrilled with the award as we all take great pride in our village,” said the village manager, Kaye Jensen. “Cakes were baked, and a special morning tea was organised to celebrate.”
WINNER 2024, Best Aged Care Med/Large Facility, South Island – Waikiwi Gardens, Invercargill
Surrounded by beautiful gardens, Waikiwi Gardens Rest Home strives to provide a warm, friendly atmosphere where people feel they belong and are happy to call home. With 45 rest home beds, serviced by fantastic staff and providing beautiful meals, Waikiwi really is a home with a heart.
The home has been winner and finalist in the Aged Advisor Awards since 2020. You get the feeling Waikiwi staff know they have what it takes to keep on winning. “We always attribute our success to our amazing team. We have some of the best staff in the aged care business.”
Esther, one of the many happy residents, commented, “this year’s award was very well deserved”.
WINNER 2024, Best Small Retirement/Lifestyle Village, South Island – The Sterling, Kaiapoi
The Sterling, Kaiapoi welcomed their first residents in December 2021, becoming an immediate favourite. Within the complex, 66 villas have been completed so far, and 102 residents have already moved in. The village is due to be completed in 2029.
“It’s a huge honour to receive this award, especially when we are a comparatively new village with a very small team,” village manager, Suzi Cadigan said. “We’ve already formed a wonderful community of residents and an incredible team of staff who have all contributed greatly to this award.”
WINNER 2024, Best Large Retirement/Lifestyle Village, North Island – Settlers Lifestyle Village, Auckland
Located in Albany, Settlers Lifestyle Village is a secure, resort-like community with 246 one, two, and three bed-room townhouses and apartments housing approximately 350 residents.
Established gardens with towering trees and abundant bird life, provide a peaceful backdrop to daily life. Residents often comment on how they wake up to birdsong, stroll through the gardens, and feel they are living their best chapter at Settlers.
As one resident puts it: “Keep everything as it is currently. It’s hard to improve on the lifestyle Settlers offers its residents.”
Since hearing the news of their fourth consecutive win, there was a noticeable pep in everyone’s step – a true testament to the hard work and commitment of staff, from nursing to sales and maintenance. They all ensure residents feel supported and cared for.
WINNER 2024, Best Aged Care Small Facility, North Island – Pinehaven Cottage, Hibiscus Coast
Pinehaven Cottage is a lovely 35-bed home situated on eight acres, five minutes from Hatfields Beach on the beautiful Hibiscus Coast. It specialises in dementia and rest home care providing high quality care and helping residents live a full and active life.
Residents love the calm environment, wildlife and outdoor areas, enjoying the close relationships they develop and the freedom to walk outside. Each resident is treated like family, addressed by name, and loved with a smile. They especially love singing and dancing with staff, creating an atmosphere of laughter and fun.
On winning gold, a resident chose to address the staff, saying: “on behalf of all the residents, we thank you for all the hard work you do. We all really appreciate the care you provide.” A worthy winning team indeed!
WINNER 2024, Best Aged Care Med/Large Facility, North Island – Malyon House, Mt Maunganui
Malyon House is a true star of the industry. Located near the beach in the heart of Mt Maunganui, it is a 57-bed rest home and hospital – the last remaining family-owned company at the Mount, proudly celebrating 28 years of service to the community.
On hearing of its sixth gold award (plus being a previous finalist), one family member of a resident commented, “I should hope so, there’s no place I’d rather have my Dad living. Malyon House is absolutely wonderful and it deserves all the accolades for the incredible job staff does.”
One somewhat cheeky team member commented that a bigger wall will be needed for all the winning certificates as a seventh has now been added from this year’s awards!
WINNER 2024, Best Large Retirement or Lifestyle Village, South Island – Summerset on Cavendish
Summerset on Cavendish is a carefully designed facility offering the full continuum of care from one-off services to secure dementia care in its industry-leading and Ministry of Health-certified memory care centre. Located in enviable Casebrook, Christchurch, it is also known for true luxury living.
The management at Summerset are very proud to be amongst this year’s winners saying that the facility’s range of fantastic indoor and outdoor facilities and the industry-leading memory care centre, as well as the hard-working staff were some of the reasons residents rated the village so highly.
The importance of online reviews
Aged Advisor does for the Aged Care and Retirement living sector what
TripAdvisor does for travel experiences, food and accommodation. Both exist to showcase the real stars and the authentic experiences every customer wants to know about.
More than 90% of all reviews on Aged Advisor are good or great, highlighting the superior level of care and facilities offered by properties in NZ.
But reviews reporting properties to be below average, terrible or even worse, are just as important. Poor reviews only lead to better knowledge and, eventually, to better service.
We all want our senior generation cared for in the best possible way.
Over the years Aged Advisor has seen many facilities become accountable for their inconsistency or decreasing service. We are proud when we hear many such facilities listening to the reviews and taking active steps to make things right and improve in areas brought to attention.
Make sure you place your reviews throughout the year, because every review does count. You could help get your facility across the line to take home a prized Aged Advisor winner’s trophy or finalist certificate!
Visit www.AgedAdvisor.nz/awards to see this year’s winners and finalists.
