Ryman to add home in Henderson

Firm planning to develop housing and facilities for 400 retirees

Ryman Healthcare says it has secured a 4.5ha Henderson site in west Auckland where it will develop accommodation for about 400 elderly people.

Andrew Mitchell, development manager, said part of the site near the Lincoln Rd shopping precinct was owned by the Laidlaw College, previously called the Bible College of New Zealand.

But that site was surplus to the organisation’s needs, Ryman said.

Ryman plans to develop independent residences, a hospital, rest home and dementia care facilities.

“We think there’s a real shortage of retirement- living- options housing in the area — and demand will only increase as the retired population grows,” Mitchell said.

More than 107,000 people lived in the immediate area, including more than 10,000 retirees, he said.

“The village will mean that west Auckland people will no longer have to look elsewhere for somewhere to live in their retirement — they can stay in the place they love close to their families and friends,” he said.

The new development will free up local homes for resale, he said.

People who buy Ryman licences to occupy lose 20 per cent of their original purchase sum over time and pay a weekly fee.

They do not own the properties and cannot sell them, instead relying on Ryman to resell them on their behalf once they pass away or move to another part of a village.

People who own the licences to occupy Ryman places do not get any capital gain — Ryman gets that on the resale.

These aspects apply to most retirement villages in New Zealand.

Ryman said that a cafe, gym, bowling green, hairdressing salon, reflection room, movie theatre, bar and an indoor swimming pool are planned.

Debbie McClure, Ryman sales and community relations manager, said the village would be named after a famous west Aucklander.

“The best suggestions come from the people who know the area and its history well. We’d love to hear any suggestions,” McClure said.

The new Henderson development will be the 11th for Ryman in greater Auckland.

“Ryman is developing other villages at Hobsonville, Greenlane, Lynfield and Devonport and has existing villages in St Heliers, Remuera, Howick, Pukekohe, Birkenhead and Orewa,” the company said.