Hawke’s Bay is a picturesque part of the world to retire in and one of the best regions for overall sunshine-hours in New Zealand. With majestic mountains, rolling green hills, breathtaking coastlines and an abundance of vineyards and orchards it has well and truly earned consideration as one of the top retirement destinations in New Zealand.
The number of New Zealand retirees is on the rise and the demand for retirement villages is rising meet it. According to recent figures from the Retirement Commission: “The proportion of people aged 65 years and older is steadily increasing, from 495,606 in 2006 (12.3 percent) to 715,167 (15.2 percent) in 2018 (Stats.NZ). Long-term projections indicate a 90 percent probability of increasing to 21–26 percent in 2048.”
To help keep up with the need for more senior housing, retirement village operator Metlifecare has purchased a 6-hectare site in the Greenmeadows area of Napier, known as Te Roropipi.
Metlifecare will invest approximately $140 million to transform the multi hectare site at 42 Wharerangi Road into a vibrant new retirement village.
Once complete, the village will offer around 150 single-level two and three-bedroom villas, a premium care home, and resident amenities including a pool, gym, café/bar, library and landscaped outdoor spaces.
Chief Executive Officer Earl Gasparich says the partnership marks an important step in the company’s disciplined, data-led land acquisition strategy.
“This acquisition reflects our ongoing focus on securing high-quality, well-located sites that will deliver the best outcomes for future residents and shareholders. Our approach combines detailed demographic analysis, housing market insights, and comprehensive customer research – ensuring every site we add to our landbank has strong long-term potential,” says Mr Gasparich.
“Te Roropipi is an exceptional location for a retirement village – it’s minutes from Anderson Park, Park Island, Greenmeadows New World and just a short drive into Napier city. We’re honoured to be working alongside Mana Ahuriri to create a village that respects the cultural heritage of the area and offers a connected, enriching lifestyle for our future residents.”
The partnership will see both parties work together during the design process, guided by shared values of manaakitanga (care and respect), kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and a commitment to sustainability, including the extensive use of native plantings.
Earthworks are expected to commence before the end of this year, with the first residents anticipated in 2027. The village will bring significant employment opportunities for locals in construction and staffing.
Mana Ahuriri Trust chairman Te Kaha Hawaikirangi said: “This development represents another exciting opportunity as part of our wider property strategy to deliver positive economic, social, and cultural benefits for our hapū and the wider Hawke’s Bay community.
“The sale of just over 30% of the site to Metlifecare is a cornerstone for our wider development plans for Te Roropipi, which will include the development of a commercial retail precinct, and high-quality housing and sections, all being available to our Mana Ahuriri whānau.”
The acquisition brings Metlifecare’s future development pipeline to 21 sites across New Zealand, with the capacity for more than 1700 independent living units and care suites.
On the remainder of the 17hectare site, Mana Ahuriri is planning residential development, with some retail aspects and roading infrastructure.
