Metlifecare's latest village, Fairway Gardens, was officially opened by the Prime Minister during a ceremony in East Auckland.
Metlifecare has officially opened its newest Care Home at Fairway Gardens in East Auckland, marking an important milestone for the village and for aged residential care in the East Auckland region.
The opening ceremony took place on Thursday, 25 June, beginning with an Iwi blessing at dawn by Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki. Prime Minister the Right Honourable Christopher Luxon, and MP for Botany, joined Metlifecare Chief Executive Earl Gasparich to formally open the facility.
Gasparich said the opening was a proud moment for the organisation and a meaningful milestone for Fairway Gardens residents and their families.
"This care home has been designed to support residents with dignity and the highest quality clinical care. It will give families the peace of mind that comes from knowing their loved ones are cared for in an exceptional environment," said Gasparich.
The care home represents an investment of around NZD 63 million and has been designed to offer a full continuum of care, including rest home, hospital-level and specialised dementia care.
Spread across three floors, the new care home includes 48 premium care suites offering rest home and hospital-level care, including five care suites specifically designed for couples who require care at the same time. An additional 14-suite dementia community features secure landscaped outdoor areas.
“New Zealand’s population is ageing rapidly. The number of Kiwis aged 75 and over is expected to more than double over the next two decades. That shift will fundamentally change the demand for retirement village living and aged care support required in Aotearoa.”
Fairway Gardens retirement village, located on the edge of Pakuranga Golf Course, is home to more than 230 residents.
The new onsite care home offers residents more choice to stay within if their village should their care needs change in the future.
"Most people don't move into a retirement village because they need care right now. They move because they want to live well and independently. But they also want confidence that if their care needs change, they won't have to leave their familiar surroundings, friendships or sense of belonging behind. That peace of mind matters enormously to residents and to their families."
The building itself has received a 6 Star Green Star design rating from the New Zealand Green Building Council, reflecting its use of sustainable construction methods and inclusion of features that enhance resident wellbeing, like enhanced air quality and natural light, and superior soundproofing.
The opening of Fairway Gardens Care Home is part of Metlifecare’s successful premium aged care strategy, which has seen a significant expansion of care homes across its portfolio over the past five years.
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