News

With Halloween fast approaching and Christmas around the corner, there’s no doubt that the sweet season has started. John is one of our most charming residents and he also works part-time at Kea cookies, a New Zealand company established in 1988. Alongside his daughter and son-in-law, John bought the factory a few years ago and since then he’s became an expert in golden syrup, icing cookies and new flavours such as lemon coconut.

It’s time to celebrate! At Epsom Village they were so happy with the ending of the Traffic Light System that they decided to throw a big party. The residents invited their family and friends, the village opened the pool, they had a sausage sizzle and a Happy Hour with Live Music. At the end of the evening most of the villagers were up on their feet showing off their dance moves!

Moving to a Real Living Group village means that you can leave the hard work to us and concentrate on enjoying the things you like most. This is the case of Dawn, a Pakuranga Park resident who now can devote all the time she wants to her passion of cross stitching. Retirement brought new chances to her life, such as the opportunity to fulfil the life dream of visiting Graceland.

It’s a universal truth that grannies make the best soup, so at Real Living, we’re blessed with some of the best cooks in the country. Diana not only makes a soup that is good for the body and the soul, she’s also one of our most active, social and friendly residents and in her spare time she also writes poems and children’s books.

Real Living has been paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth II with special memorial services in each of the villages. Yesterday the Lounge at Pakuranga Park was totally packed with residents who wanted to pay homage to the extraordinary monarch. At the end of the ceremony the village planted a kowhai tree in recognition of the Queen's 70 years of service.

Spring is finally here so it’s time to renew our wardrobe! At Warkworth Oaks they’ve started with a Fashion Show to get some inspiration for the new season. Four stylish residents volunteered as models in the Parade, organised by clothing store Sophie Pink.

Epsom Village raised $650 for the Cancer Society with a very successful Happy Hour to support Daffodil Day. The event included a Raffle sponsored by local businesses, with Hell Pizza Epsom and the Florentine Tea Room as their top donors. There was also a fierce cocktail competition with the Mighty Margarita and the 80s classic Fluffy Duck fighting for the top spot.

The Art Expo organized by Warkworth Oaks last weekend was a great success. The exhibition, held on the first floor at the charming Warkworth Hotel, attracted a steady stream of visitors over three days. Two of our residents sold their paintings, among many other local artists.

Elaine and Ivan have been living at Epsom Village for more than 12 years, and they couldn’t be happier. They love the location, the gardens, the social events, and the organised trips to the countryside. They’re some of the most popular residents at the village; with their friendly attitude and cheeky sense of humour, they certainly add spice to retirement life!