Seniors New Zealand is proud to announce the winners and finalists of NZ’s Best Retirement/Lifestyle Villages and Care Facilities for 2025 recognising 50 standout facilities and four group providers across Aotearoa for exceptional resident experience, care quality and community life.
Hopper Living has delivered one of the most comprehensive showings in this year’s NZ Best awards by winning the Multi-Village Excellence Award and being recognised across all parts of its footprint.
On the North Island winners’ list, Hopper’s Country Club Huapai was named Best Large Retirement or Lifestyle Village, while its facility, The Moorings in Whitianga, won Best Small Retirement or Lifestyle Village.
Hopper’s The Anchorage at One Tree Point was recognised as a finalist in the Large category, and Maygrove Village in Orewa also featured as a Large category finalist. Together, these results confirmed that Hopper Living’s four villages were all recognised in this year’s awards.
Most importantly, Maygrove Village received the NZ’s Best ultimate accolade, the Enduring Excellence Award, celebrating a decade of consistently high scores and resident-recognised excellence.
Hopper Living’s stellar performance also extended into aged care with Maygrove (Village) Hospital receiving a finalist award in the Best Aged Care Small Facility category for the North Island, thus completing a clean sweep across village and care services.
Other stand-out providers include Ryman Healthcare which was named National Group Provider, with 14 village or care awards across its portfolio. Ryman is well-known for their impeccable standards, which shone through once again in the 2025 NZ Best Awards.
Summerset picked up the finalist award in the same group level category, with several more awards underscoring its village and care achievements – another group
which consistently delivers superior retirement options.
In addition to the aforementioned Maygrove Village, Enduring Excellence Awards also went to Ryman’s Diana Isaac Retirement Village in Christchurch and Settlers Lifestyle Village (Premier Lifestyle Villages) on Auckland’s North Shore in the village category. Community-owned, not-for-profit, Waihi Lodge Care Centre received Enduring Excellence in the Aged Care category.
Highfield Country Estate also achieved recognition among the North Island’s lifestyle villages, praised for its modern design and neighbourly spirit which extends beyond traditional retirement living.
These awards reflect the things residents and families value most over time – caring staff, responsive management, and day-to-day care and activity which consistently exceeds expectations.
CHT Care Homes had a very strong year, earning the Multi-Care Excellence Award in recognition of outstanding performance across its care home network. CHT also appeared repeatedly on the facilities lists; these included CHT St Margaret’s as Best Aged Care Medium or Large Facility winner, North Island, with several other homes named as finalists.
CHT’s Multi-Care Excellence award sits alongside facility-level recognition for responsive management and caring staff, reinforcing that excellence is as much about culture and consistency as it is about buildings. The awards also highlight how independent analysis helps communities compare options with confidence.
Smaller aged care providers were also celebrated including Cook Street Nursing Care Centre in Palmerston North who earned another finalist placing following multiple prior wins, and Switzer Residential Care Centre (Kaitaia) who was recognised for excellence in care and community involvement, confirming that aged care is of a high standard in New Zealand.
South Island excellence
This year’s South Island finalists once again showed the region’s strength in care innovation, resident engagement, and compassionate service.
The Sterling Retirement Village (Kaiapoi) claimed Best Large Retirement or Lifestyle Village (South Island), reflecting its modern design and strong community focus. Diana Isaac Retirement Village once again received recognition while Summerset on Cavendish (Christchurch) was a finalist for Best Med/Large Village (South Island).
Ryman’s Ernest Rutherford Village in Nelson took winner for Best Aged Care (Med/Large) Facility (South Island), confirming its place as a most trusted care provider. These results underscore a culture of excellence across the industry from boutique rest homes to large integrated villages offering all the bells and whistles.
A massive task to highlight the ‘best’
Seniors New Zealand has thanked the University of Canterbury’s School of Mathematics and Statistics department | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha for independently calculating the 2025 NZ’s Best Award recipients from almost 5000 reviews.
“Finalists were required to reach a 90% plus weighted average to qualify, making this year’s honourees a remarkably elite group,” says Seniors NZ general manager, Tania Ryan.
“By pairing robust methodology with the lived experience of residents and families, the awards offer a transparent lens on quality and community life across regions, operators, and service types.”
Ms Ryan says for residents, these results are more than a list. They are a signpost toward safe, supportive environments where daily life is dignified and engaging. For teams, they validate years of effort in clinical practice, hospitality, and community building.
“For providers, they show that investment in people, training, and responsive leadership is noticed by those who matter most.
“This year’s line-up reflects an evolving sector where excellence is being delivered at scale, from large national operators to community-rooted homes.”
Looking ahead, Ms Ryan says the challenge is to extend these standards across every region and service type.
“The 2025 cohort provides a clear blueprint – listen to residents and families, nurture strong leadership on the floor, and use data transparently to keep improving.”
IN A NUTSHELL
Congratulations to Ryman Healthcare as National Group Provider winner and to Summerset as group finalist in NZ’s Best Retirement/Lifestyle Villages and Care Facilities for 2025.
Special recognition to Hopper Living for its Multi-Village Excellence Award and CHT for the Multi-Care Excellence Award.
Warm congratulations also to the many other Retirement or Lifestyle Villages and Aged Care Facilities which continue to demonstrate care excellence.
Residents of aged care facility, Peaceful Pines Living, Darfield, will be delighted that their establishment was recognised for its Outstanding ‘Enjoyable Food’.
Seniors New Zealand appreciates that together, these results give New Zealanders confidence that quality aged living is achievable, measurable, and continuing to rise in Aotearoa.
For the full list of 2025 winners and finalists and to explore individual facility profiles, visit the NZ’s Best Awards page.