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what's new

19 September 2011: The latest edition of the Villager is now available »

10 August 2011: Fees for retirement village registration change from 11 August 2011 »

essential resources

Retirement Villages. Read the 'Thinking of living in a retirement village?' online or you can order a free hard copy by completing our online form.

Tips on choosing a retirement village

An operator's guide to retirement villages [PDF 179 KB, 16 pages].

further information

for implementation of the Retirement Villages Act call the Department of Building and Housing on 0800 83 62 62

for registration requirements call the Register of Retirement VillagesNZ Companies Office - Register of Retirement Villages website. on 0800 268 269 

for information about the disputes process call the Retirement CommissionRetirement Commission website on 04 499 7396

on choosing a retirement village visit the Sorted website www.sorted.org.nz

for accommodation supplements call Work and Income New ZealandWork and Income NZ website on 0800 599 009

The Ministry of Social Development offers a number of services for older people. Click hereMinistry of Social Development website for more information or phone 0800 552 002.

help with PDF files

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Retirement villages

In summary, a retirement village contains two or more residential units to provide residential accommodation and/or services or facilities predominantly for people who are retired – and those people agree to pay a capital sum to live there. Note that a ‘capital sum’ can also mean periodical payments, if the payments are substantially more than would be paid to cover rent for such services or facilities.

Residents ‘purchase’ a right to occupy, or an occupation right agreement. The purchase is based on a capital investment and is a form of tenancy.

The Department of Building and Housing assumed responsibility for the Retirement Villages Act on 1 July 2005.  The Department’s responsibilities include the promotion of education and publication of information about retirement villages. These functions were previously undertaken by the Retirement Commissioner. The Department agreed with the Commissioner to undertake these functions in August 2007.

The role of the Retirement CommissionerRetirement Commission website is to monitor the effects of the legislation and Code of Practice, when in force, and the establishment and oversight of the disputes panel system. 

The Registrar for Retirement VillagesRegister of Retirement Villages website is located in the Companies Office in the Ministry of Economic Development. The Registrar of Retirement Villages is responsible for registration-related matters.