News

At the end of 2025, Kensington House at Remuera Gardens was selected as a finalist in the Excellence in Care Awards – Innovative Delivery Award, recognising our innovative Holistic Dance Exercise Programme. Created by our Group Culture, Care and Quality Manager, Reign Marcial, the programme blends movement, mindfulness, and rhythm to support both physical wellbeing and emotional connection. Here’s the video we presented at the Aged Care Association Conference: a glimpse into the joy, movement, and connection this programme brings to our residents.

Remuera Gardens truly embraced the festive spirit with 12 Days of Christmas celebrations — from bingo and crafts to concerts, fashion parades, and gingerbread house making. One of the highlights was our much-loved Christmas Market, packed with treats, handmade jewellery, fashion pieces, and beautiful artwork from Uplands Kindergarten.

Can you guess our favourite season at Remuera Gardens? Definitely spring — when the gardens burst into colour and fragrance, and the Rose Garden becomes the perfect spot to relax, enjoy the view, and catch up on the latest grandkid gossip. Our gardens are full of stories, and to celebrate the joy they bring to our residents, we’re hosting special Garden & Apartment Tours on Friday 5 December, with special guest Ruud “The Bug Man” Kleinpaste. Don’t miss out — it will be a day to remember!

Remuera Gardens is now in full bloom! Explore our eight acres of cottage and tropical gardens — including more than 150 varieties of roses and 150 varieties of camellias. Together with Kings Plant Barn, we invite you to our Garden & Apartment Tours, where you’ll discover the story behind our gardens, visit our brand-new Avenue Apartments, and enjoy a special talk from VIP guest Ruud Kleinpaste, the beloved “Bug Man.”

“Don’t overcomplicate it — go back to basics.” As part of our 40-year celebrations, residents and guests at Remuera Gardens enjoyed a wonderful morning with celebrity chef Michael Van de Elzen, who championed simple, joyful cooking. Held in The Pavilion — the vibrant social hub of our new Avenue Apartments — Michael shared practical tips and easy recipes perfect for everyday meals.

We’re cooking up something special at Remuera Gardens! Join us next Wednesday as acclaimed Kiwi chef Michael Van de Elzen visits the Avenue Apartments for a fun, inspiring cooking demo. Michael will share simple, healthy, and delicious recipes — perfect for entertaining friends, family, or those spontaneous drop-in moments! Part of our Real Living 40th Anniversary celebrations, this event celebrates what we love most — great food, good company, and the joy of living well at every age.

Good luck to our amazing Care Team from Remuera Gardens! Our Group Culture, Care and Quality Manager, Reign Marcial, is heading to Christchurch today to take part in the Aged Care Association Conference — and we’re thrilled to share that Kensington House at Remuera Gardens has been named a finalist in the 2025 Excellence in Care Awards (Innovative Delivery category)! The winners will be announced this Thursday at the NZACA Conference.

Remuera Gardens was delighted to welcome beloved broadcaster Judy Bailey for a special Q&A marking Real Living’s 40th Anniversary. With warmth and humour, Judy shared insights from her career and her journey of “evolving” in later life — encouraging everyone to stay active, curious, and connected. Judy is a big fan of retirement villages herself, describing them as wonderful communities where you can find your people and your purpose.

Older New Zealanders are increasingly targeted by scammers — with 30% of people over 60 affected, according to Consumer NZ. To help residents stay safe online, Real Living and ANZ are hosting an Online Safety Session at The Avenue Apartments on Thursday 30 October, led by Kirstie Clune. The event will share practical tips to recognise and avoid scams, supporting Real Living’s commitment to keeping residents safe, confident, and connected.