116 | LIFESTYLE Ryman Healthcare - Richard Hadlee Village Centre T T Kelly Deeks Keeping the bar high for retirement living The Richard Hadlee Village has been designed to support residents through every stage of later life, A new retirement living option is about to open its doors in Christchurch’s northern suburbs, with Ryman preparing to release serviced apartments at Richard Hadlee Village in October as work on the village centre nears completion. The village centre represents the next milestone in the Northwood development, bringing together assisted living, premium shared amenities, and a range of care options designed to support residents as their needs change, all within a purpose-built environment. Ryman regional sales manager Linda Postma says demand had been encouraging, with many enquiries coming from people already living in the surrounding community who wanted to remain close to the area they know. “We’re finding a lot of people in Northwood want to stay in Northwood,” Linda says. “With the Northwood Supa Centa across the road, Styx Mill Reserve next door, and easy access to shops, cafés, and everyday services, it’s a location that offers both convenience and connection.” Located at the centre of the village, the serviced apartments have been designed to provide the independence of private living alongside additional support when required. There will be lift access to shared amenities including a café, heated swimming pool, cinema, hobby rooms, and activity spaces. “Our residents have their own apartment and can receive as much or as little support as they need,” Linda says. “Housekeeping, chef-prepared meals, and maintenance are all taken care of, allowing people to spend more time enjoying life rather than worrying about day-to-day chores.” The village centre has also been designed to foster social connection, with shared spaces encouraging residents to meet friends, welcome family, and take part in activities if they choose. “Our cafés are always popular because they’re somewhere people naturally gather, whether it’s catching up over coffee, attending an exercise class, or joining one of our outings, people have opportunities to stay active and connected without having to leave the village,” village manager Maya Daniel says. Bringing a project of this scale to life has not been without its challenges. Like much of the construction sector, Ryman has worked through rising costs while remaining focused on delivering the standard of design and quality the company is known for. That commitment stems from the vision of co-founder Kevin Hickman, who established Ryman after investigating a fire at an agedcare facility in the early 1980s. Seeing residents sharing bedrooms and communal bathrooms convinced him older New Zealanders deserved something better. His belief that everything should be “good enough for Mum and Dad” continues to underpin the company’s approach to retirement living and care more than four decades later. The Richard Hadlee Village has been designed to support residents through every stage of later life, with independent living, serviced apartments, rest home care, hospital-level care, and specialist dementia care all available within the same community. Maya says continuity of care is becoming increasingly important as demand for retirement living continues to grow. “People have confidence knowing they can remain in the same community and close to their partner if their needs change,” she says. “It’s reassuring for residents and their families because the support is already there when it’s needed.” With serviced apartments pre-selling now and the first residents expected to move in from October, the opening of the village centre will bring a new range of amenities and opportunities for connection. As Richard Hadlee Village continues to take shape, it is set to become a valued addition to Christchurch’s northern suburbs.
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