News

Real Living villages regularly host inspirational speakers, and one of the most remarkable this year was Grant Sharman, a Board member of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists—an internationally recognized society of disabled artists who create art using their mouth or foot. Grant’s incredible journey captivated the audience as he shared his life story—how a childhood accident reshaped his future, leading him to become an accomplished artist, a wheelchair rugby team captain, and a gold medalist. His resilience, talent, and determination left everyone truly inspired.

Easter is one of the most meaningful celebrations in New Zealand—a time for family, reflection, and joy. At our Real Living villages, we embrace the spirit of the season by creating happy moments for all, with fun cornhole competitions, themed crafts, and beautifully homemade treats. Of course, no Easter would be complete without a visit from our resident Easter Bunny, who makes sure there’s a little chocolate for everyone.

At Pakuranga Park, the Pilates class is so popular that even staff members have joined in alongside residents! Led by NZ’s #1 Group Fitness Instructor, the award-winning Sureta, this low-impact exercise class focuses on improving balance and stability, enhancing flexibility, and building strength without strain. Held every Monday at midday in the Community Centre, this class takes place in a spacious and serene environment surrounded by lush greenery and birdsong. Afterward, residents can relax with a cup of tea and friendly conversation—what better way to start the week?

At Real Living, we are always exploring new ways to improve the well-being of our residents and staff. One of our latest initiatives, the Holistic Dance Exercise Programme (HDEP), is an innovative, evidence-based project developed by our Group Culture, Care, and Quality Manager, Reign Marcial. Rooted in academic research and inspired by established practices from the Alzheimer’s Society in the UK, this programme integrates movement, meditation, and structured exercise to support cognitive function, balance, and fall prevention among older adults.

Each of our villages offers a perfect blend of independent retirement living with companionship, lifestyle, and security. And each one has its unique charm that our residents rave about. At Epsom Village, residents love the central location, the stunning views of Mt. Eden and Sky City, the modern, well-appointed apartments, and the friendly community where you can opt in or out of as many activities as you like.

"I feel very privileged living at Pakuranga Park because you can't get anything like this in Auckland," says Colleen, who moved to the village two years ago. With her love of hobbies and traveling in her motorhome, she needed plenty of space—and found it in one of the village’s spacious villas. For those seeking a retirement village that offers safety, companionship, and the freedom to pursue their passions, Pakuranga Park is the perfect choice.

What an incredible turnout for the Grand Opening of The Avenue Apartments at Remuera Gardens! Over 120 guests joined us for exclusive tours of our beautifully designed 61 luxury homes, crafted for independent retirement living. Visitors explored our spacious show homes, including a 123m² two-bedroom penthouse and a 163m² three-bedroom apartment, each filled with natural light, premium finishes, and breathtaking 360-degree views of Remuera.

As part of its commitment to environmental conservation, Real Living is dedicated to recycling in its retirement villages, actively participating in various recycling initiatives, including food scrap collection and battery recycling. This commitment also extends to educational programs for both residents and staff, featuring engaging trips to learn more about sustainable practices. Recently, the residents of Warkworth Oaks had the opportunity to visit LESS, a community-focused recycling and resource recovery initiative operating in Warkworth and Wellsford.

Minister of Internal Affairs, Brooke van Velden, officially marked the opening of our new apartment building, The Avenue, at Remuera Gardens this morning. The MP for Tāmaki visited the newly completed apartments alongside Real Living’s director Chris Murphy before unveiling a plaque commemorating the completion of the project and the official inauguration of the building. During her visit, the Minister had the opportunity to meet some of the residents already enjoying life at Remuera Gardens. In her speech, she remarked, "I can only hope to retire somewhere as beautiful as this."