NZ Herald - Plus Feature February 2023

An end to mortgageinterest increase maybeonthe horizon

BenKellehersaidthevastmajorityofcustomers areinasoundfinancialpositionwithenough savingstokeepupwithrisinginterestrates.

“Peoplehavekeptuptheirsavingshabitsand manytooktheopportunitywhileinterestrates werelowtopaydowndebt–soareaheadon theirmortgages(aboutathirdofourcustomers areaheadbysixmonthsormore).

“However,weknowthatmanyofour customerswillrollofffixedhomeloansonto higherratesoverthecomingyear

ByRubyHarfield

However,banksarespeculatinganend totheriseandhavewaysofsupporting peoplethroughchallengingtimes.

KiwibankchiefeconomistJarrodKerrsaid theRBNZhasnotyetfinishedhikinginterest ratesbuttheywill.

“Wethinkthey’llbedoneanddustedsoon enough.”

Thecashrate(OCR)was4.25%atthetime thispublicationwenttoprint,however,there wasanupdateyesterdayanditwasexpected toriseagainbuteconomiststhinkitwillpeakat 5%.

“Theyhadpreviouslysignalledtheywantto goto5.5%.Webelievethat’sasteptoofar.

“Sowhatdoesallthatmeanformortgage rates? Well,mortgageratesarepeaking. Some rateshavealreadypeaked.

“AstheRBNZhikesfrom4.25%to5%, variablemortgagerateswillmoveupinlock step.One-yearratesarealsolikelytobepulled higher.”

Longer-datedrates,two-yearandbeyond, arefactoringinratecutsandhavelikelypeaked, hesaid.

“IbelievetheRBNZwillbeinapositionto startcuttingthecashratefromNovemberthis year

“It’saslightlycontroversialcall,butit’sone I’mconfidentin.Whatthatmeansis,allinterest rateswillstartfallinglaterthisyearandwellinto 2024.”

ANZ’smanagingdirectorforpersonalbanking

“Whenthathappenssomewillbeunder financialpressure.”

It’simportantpeopletalktotheirbankas theycansupportcustomersandprovidevarious optionstohelpiftheyarestruggling.

“We’rekeentotalkwithcustomerssooner ratherthanlaterifthereareanysignsof problemstoseeif,forexample,wecanstructure theirfinancesdifferentlytorelievesome pressure.

“We’veputalotofgreatinformationand toolsuponlinetohelppeopleunderstandwhy interestratesarerising,howtoplanaheadand sometoolsyoucanuse(likeourrepayment calculators).

“Youcanalsocheckwhatyourfinancial wellbeingscoreisandfindinformationonhow tomanagedebt.”

Manycustomersselectaoneortwo-yearrate butitmaybebeneficialtosplittheloanover multipleratetermstominimisetheriskofall lendingcomingupforrenewalatthesametime, hesaid.

“Inrecentmonthswe’vesetupateamto closelymonitorcustomersforsignstheymight beconcernedaboutmanagingtheirfinancesor comingunderfinancialpressureasinterestrates riseandtheeconomyslows.

“We’vealsobolsteredthebank’sCustomer FinancialWellbeingteamandareproactively contactingcustomerswhoshowsignsofneeding reassuranceandsupport.”

Withmortgageratesatanalltimehigh peoplemaybewantingtosellbutproperty pricesarecontinuingtodrop

ThelatestTradeMePropertyPriceIndex hasfoundthatpricesfell6%year-on-yearin December

TradeMePropertysalesdirectorGavinLloyd saidtheaverageaskingpriceforapropertyin NewZealandfinishedtheyearat$897,900in December,fallingby$58,200in12months.

“Decembermarkedthesecondyear-on-year dropwe’veseeninarow,withtheaverage askingpricefallingby4%inNovember

“Priortothat,thelastpricedropwesawwas inMarch2018,whenthenationalaverageasking

Fallinghousepricesandrisinginterest rateshaveleftmanyhomeowners concernedabouttheirpropertiesand howtheywillservicetheirmortgage.

KiwibankchiefeconomistJarrodKerr. Photo/Supplied

pricefellby1%whencomparedwiththe12 monthsprior.”

MrLloydsaidtheAucklandandWellington regionssawthelargestpricedeclines.

“Inthecapital,theaverageaskingprice droppedby9%year-on-yearforthesecond monthinarowto$875,550,whileinAucklandit fellby8%to$1,149,450.”

Hawke’sBay(-7%),Manawatū/Whanganui (-4%),Gisborne(-2%)andBayofPlenty(-1%) alsosawaverageaskingpricesdroplastmonth whencomparedwithDecember2021.

Lookingaheadthisyear,MrLloydsaidfurther pricedropsarelikely.

“Aswecomedownfromthesugarrushwe experiencedduringthepandemic,2023isgoing tobeagreattimeforthosethathavebeen wantingtoenterthepropertymarketbuthave feltpricedoutoverthelastcoupleofyearsto lookaroundandconsidertheiroptions.”

CoreLogic’sHousePriceIndexalsorecorded adropandresidentialpropertyvaluesare now7.2%lowerthanayearago,thebiggest 12-monthdeclinesinceMay2009.

AotearoaNewZealand’shousingmarket downturncontinuestorollon,withCoreLogic’s HousePriceIndex(HPI)recordinga0.3%fallin January,the10thconsecutivemonthofdecline.

CoreLogicNZchiefpropertyeconomist, KelvinDavidsonsaiditwasn’tasurprisetosee propertyvaluesgenerallyfallfurtherinJanuary.

“Somegreenshootsofoptimismhadstarted toemergeinSeptemberandOctoberlastyear onthebackofaviewthatmortgageratesmay havebeenatorclosetoapeakleadingtosome slightlystrongeroffersbeingmadearoundthat time.

“ButtheninNovembertheReserveBank releaseditsgloomyoutlookforboththe economyandinflationfor2023,whichwas alwayslikelytoimpactpropertyvaluesinthe followingfewmonths.”

Writer Ruby Harfield | Designer CourtneyWenzlick | PrintCommercialManager Kelly Spice HeadofCommercialPublishing&InnovationMargaretHawker

Kelly.Spice@nzme.co.nz M: 021605297

ANZ’smanagingdirectorforpersonal bankingBenKelleher. Photo/Supplied

Theluxuryretirement

villagewithaheart

Ifyou’veheard that TamahereCountryClub iswidelyregardedasNZ’s finestretirement villageyou’llbeforgivenforthinking it maybequitean‘exclusive’placetolive.

Askanyresident,however,andthey’ll mostlikelytell youwhat theylovemost aboutlifehere is the community,andthey’re farmore likelytousetheword‘inclusive’ than‘exclusive’.

of gold

Yes,there’sfacilitiesandbeautifularchitecture todelightthesenses, but thetruebeautyof lifehererunsdeeperthanbricksandmortar. It’stheyouthfulenergyofthecommunityand theconnectionsthatcreate alife-enrichingvalue thatcan’tbemeasuredindollarsandcents.

Ifyou’reaspiringto aretirementaddressthat feedsthesoulweinviteyoutobeourguestfor aguidedtourofTamahereCountryClub.

We have arangeofhomesavailableforimmediateoccupation. Call Sandyon021628385 tosecureyourhome.

Visitour Showhome at 46 Tamahere Drive, Tamahere,Hamilton Monday–Friday, 10am –2pm (excludingpublicholidays)

tamaherecountryclub.co.nz

Consistent returns in uncertain times

movements.

FMTisdifferentfromatraditionalfinance company.It’safundmanagerfirst.Investors’ moneyisheldinthefundandthefundis supervisedbyTrusteeExecutors.“Ourtrust structurewithindependentoversightgivesour investorsconfidencethattheirmoneyisbeing managedwell,”saysBendall.

Involatiletimesconsistentinvestment returnsarehardtofind.Thatcanbedifficult forNewZealanderswhorelyonreturns fromtheirinvestmentstolivethelifethey’ve planned.

FirstMortgageTrusthavebeenhelpingNew Zealandersprotecttheirsavingsandgrow theirwealthsince1996.Theannualisedpre-tax returnfortheDecember2022quarterwas 6.07%,andtheyareanticipatingittocontinue toincreasein2023–whichisgoodnewsfor theirinvestors

“Wefocusonwhatweknowisimportant

toourinvestors–protectingtheirinvestment, consistentreturnsandsteadyincomefocusedfundsthatareaccessiblewhen they’reneeded,”saysPaulBendall,FMTChief Executive.

“Investors’moneyisournumberone focus,”saysBendall.“Wehaveadisciplined, conservativeinvestmentapproachwitha proventrackrecord–inour26yearswehave neverlostanyinvestorcapital.Afactweare proudof,althoughitisimportanttonotethat pastperformanceisnotareliableindicatorof futureperformance.”

Thecarefulapproachextendsinto manyotheraspectsofthebusinessmodel. Forexample,thefundonlylendsonfirst mortgages.FMT’sloanarrearscurrentlyare 1.7%oftheloanbook.“Eventhebankswould beproudtohaveloanarrearslikethat,”says Bendall.

Next,theloan-to-value-ratios(LVR)are cappedat75%onresidentialpropertyand 67%oncommercialproperty,meaningthe borrowerrequiressignificantequitybefore FMTwilllendtothem.Currentlytheaverage LVRacrossalltheirloansis48%whichis considerablybelowtheirmaximumset, providingasubstantialbuffertomarket

AnotherpointofdifferenceinFMT’s conservativeinvestmentstrategyisthat foreverysingleloaneachpropertyis independentlyinspectedtounderstandthe deal.Avaluer’sreportisn’tenough.“Weare selectiveinwhereandwhowelendto,andwe havearigorousprocess,”saysBendall.

“We’reNewZealand’slargestnon-bank lenderoffirstmortgages.Non-bank-lenders, suchasFMT,oftenpickupdealsturneddown bybanksbecauseofrigidcriteria,notrisk.In fact,someofthoseloanscanbeverylowrisk It’sawin/winforFMT”,saysBendall.

Thankstothisconservativeapproach, coupledwithincreasedreturnsforeach quarterof2022,FMTinvestornumbersare growingstrongly,andlargelybywordof mouth.FMTnowhasmorethan$1.5bnof fundsundermanagementandmorethansix thousandinvestors

DISCLAIMER: FirstMortgageManagersLimitedistheissueroftheFirstMortgageTrustGroupInvestmentFundandtheFirstMortgagePIETrust,andisnotaregisteredbank.Pastperformanceisnotareliable indicatoroffutureperformance.Returnsarenotguaranteed.ProductDisclosureStatementsareavailableatfmt.co.nz

After26yearsininvestmentsand propertyfinance,FirstMortgageTrust hasneverlostacentofinvestors’capital.

Is aretirement villageright for you?

Ifyou’velivedinthesamehousefordecades, youmaybereluctanttomovebutthepeace ofmindfromaretirementvillagemaybe worthit.

Manypeoplemovetoretirementvillages todownsize,joinacommunityandhave assistancewithmaintenance.

Summersetheadof communicationsLoganMudge saidretirementvillageliving givesyoutheopportunityto liveandsocialisewithlikemindedpeople,whilechoosing ahouseorapartmentthatbest suitsyouandyourneeds.

“Wealsotakecareofallthe maintenanceonourresident’s homes,somethingthatc getmorechallengingas peopleage.”

Ifyourneeds change,suchas needingmedical careorhelpwith dailytasks,there isacontinuum ofcareatmost villagessopeople canstayconnected totheircommunities.

“Thisisparticularly importantifone partnercontinuestolive independently,andtheotherincare,asthey havereadyaccesstooneanother.”

Retirementvillagesalsoensurepeoplefeel safeintheirownhomeswithsecuregatesthat arelockedatnight,hesaid.

Rymanisanotherproviderwhichoffers retirementvillagelivinginNewZealandand Australia.

ByRubyHarfield

ItschiefexecutiveCheyneChalmerssaid residentsnolongerhavetoworryaboutissues likemowinglawnsandcleaningwindowsor neighbourhoodsecurity,andtheyalsohave thepeaceofmindthatthereiscare athand24/7iftheirhealth needschange.

“Thisisalso reassuringfortheir familieswhomay notbecloseat hand–theyknow theirlovedones arebeingcared for.”

Livingin aretirement communitycanalso helpwithlonelinessand isolation,whichisonthe rise,duetosocialconnection. Itcanbeaharddecision choosingtomoveintoa retirementvillagebutit’s importantnottotaketoolong todecideonthemove,she said.

“Takeyourtimebutdon’t leaveittoolong–people generallyknowwhentheyare ady. IhadadollarforeachpersonI’d metovertheyearswhosaidtheywished they’dmovedinwithusyearsagoI’dberich. Don’tleaveittoolate.”

Whendecidingonavillageyoucanvisit differentplacesandgetafeelfortheplace,she said.

“Thebestpeopletoaskareourresidents.

“Haveagoodlookaroundothervillagesand makesurethatthereisenoughcareonsite.”

ABOVEANDBELOWRIGHT:Livinginaretirementcommunitycanhelpwithlonelinessandisolation.

INSETTOP:RymanchiefexecutiveCheyneChalmers. INSETBELOW:SummersetheadofcommunicationsLoganMudge. Photos/Supplied

Theperfect balance of comfort andluxury

ThedazzlinggemonthepicturesqueHuapaiKumeu landscapecanbefoundattheintersectionofStation RoadandSH16intheheartofthethrivingNorthwest WineCountry. Thedevelopmentfeatures arangeof spacious residences,including1,2,and3-bedroom apartments,aswellas3-bedroomvillas,allofwhichare designedwithcontemporary finishesforultimatecomfort andstyle.Comediscovertheperfectblendofluxuryand tranquilityatour countryLodge-stylecommunity.

Enquiretoday:

(09)4764220

COUNTRYCLUBHUAPAI.CO.NZ

AMENITIES

Hair Salon

Beauty Parlour

Osteopath

Exercise Classesand Gym

Indoor Pooland Spa

Aqua Aerobics

OutdoorBowlsand Putting Green

Billiardsand Snooker

Games Room Library

Cafe &Bar

WhyRadiusCarecould be all thecareyourloved oneneeds.

RosieDwyer is aRegistered Nursewithover 35 years’ experience,including over 20 years spentinthe care of older people.Her expert advice couldmakeall thedifference if you’re lookingintoresidential care foralovedone.

Atthisstage of theyear, having spent agooddeal of time in thecompanyof relatives over the festive season, someconcernsoverthe health andwelfareofanolder member of your family may have arisen.

If this sounds like you, Rosie Dwyer,Quality Manager for Radius Care’snetwork of care homes throughoutthe country, hassomesageadvice that could help guide you and your loved one towardsthe right decision.

The benefits thatcomefrom specialist service

The vast majority of Radius Care’s care homes specialise across rest home, hospital and dementia care.

This focus ensures that

residents receive sufficient oneon-one attention anddon’t get ‘lost’ withinthe vastexpanse of the likesofsome of the larger,multi-layered retirement home facilities, whichcater for independentresidents,aswell as those in need of more in-depth care.

ForRosie Dwyer, this is allimportant as it bringstogether health professionals with both thespecific expertiseand empathytomakethe move work for the resident,inthe first instance, as well as their wider familygroupofcarers.

“Familymembersare easy to forget in thescheme ofthings But the stress andworry of caring for an elderly lovedone can impactthe immediate carer and

the extendedfamilymore than you might think,” says Rosie.

“Weencourage family members to leave the burden of day-to-day care to theexperts and go backtobeing the person who cares, not the carer.Itmakes aworld of difference.”

The right care offers real peaceof-mind

Before anypersonmakes the move to care withina Radius Care residence, Rosie Dwyer’s team undertakes athorough needs assessment of the intended resident.

“It’sonly by fully understanding the whole person, their specific needs and their hobbies and intereststhat we can deliver acaresolutionthat worksfor them,”says Rosie

“Wewant anyone in our care to be happy, secureand feel wellcared for at alltimes. We also want themtofeelathome, so we are verycareful to treat the space in which they live as just that, their home.”

Radiusprovides on-call,

constant care and coversthe everyday needs that help foster agreatersense of wellbeing amongst all their residents.

“Wefind thatwithin afew weeks of entering oneofour care homes,new people startto thrive. They’reeating well, they have thecompanyofothers their own age– they havelotsin common–and we keep them as busy andactive as theychoose to be.It’slikeone, big happy family.”

Take thefirststeptowardsthe careyou need

If you feel that aloved one could benefit fromthe specialist care and supportthat Radius Care offers,simply contact your nearest RadiusCare home andask to speak to theFacility Manager.

They’llhelpyou get the ball rolling with advice on managing the transition to residential care and how your family member mightqualify for subsidised fundingtoeasethe way.

Thinkaboutit. It could be the best move for everyone.

Seasonal gardeningtips

Asweheadintoautumn,youmaybe wonderingifthere’sanythingyoucouldbe d doingtorefreshyourgarden.Ourwriter RubyHarfieldasksPaigeTennantfromPalmersfor sometips.

Whatarethebestthingstoplantatthistime ofyear?

Latesummer:

Ediblegarden-Keepplantingthelastsummer cropsofnewlettuceandherbs.Ifyouhavea greenhouseyoucanstillplanttomatoes,eggplant, cucumbersandpeppers.Sowseedsofwinter vegetableslikecabbage,cauliflower,broccoli, beetroot,winterlettuce,brusselsprouts,spinach, carrots,leeksandsilverbeet.

Bulbs-Earlysummerbulbssuchasanemone, ranunculus,tulipsanddaffodilscanbeplantedin flowerbedsandpots.Bulbscanbeplantednow throughtolateautumn.Byplantingcontinuously throughthisperiod,youwillberewardedwitha continuousfloraldisplaycomespring.

Flowergarden-Gotadryareathatneeds colour?Plantarctotis,calendula,gazania, osteospermum,portulaca,sedumandalltypesof succulents.Sowseedsofwinterflowerslikepansy, viola,primula,polyanthus,calendula,cineraria, poppies,lobelia,alyssumandsnapdragon.

Earlyautumn:

Bulbs-Anemonesandranunculusaregreat valueandeasytogrow.Withverylittleeffortthey canrewardyouwithuptosixmonths’flowering bystaggerplanting.Daffodilscanbeplantedany timefromlateFebruarytotheendofMay.Early plantinggetsthemofftoagreatstartastheywill begintodeveloptheirrootsandsettleinforspring growth.Daffodilsneedfullsunandwell-drained soil.Hyacinthsaretheessenceofspring.The heavilyscentedtrussesareamostwelcomesight afteralongwinter.BestplantedinMarch/Aprilin acoolspot.

Flowergarden-Preparewinterflowerbedsfor plantingwithcompost,sheeppelletsandfertiliser. Plantyourfavouritewinterflowerseedlingslike pansy,viola,primula,polyanthus,calendula, cineraria,lobelia,poppies,alyssum,stockand snapdragon.

Ediblegarden-Growasmoothiegardenin potsonyourdeck–plantkale,spinach,pakchoi andbeetrootforgreenenergy!Plantseedlingsof cabbage,beetroot,winterlettuce,brusselsprouts, spinach,carrots,leeks,silverbeetandwinter herbs.Herbstoplantinautumn:parsley,chives, rosemaryandmint.

Aroundtheyard-Coolertemperaturesare theidealtimetoplantahedge.Ifyouwantflowers andfragrance,plantFairyMagnoliaMicheliasor forsomethinghardier,trytheAussieWestringia varieties.

Autumnistheidealtimetosoworrepairyour lawnsoitcanestablishoverthewintermonths. Whataresomewaysyoucanrefreshyour outdoorarea?

•Plantanediblehedge.

•Plantsforprivacy,hedgesandshrubsthatwill growlargetoprovideprivacy.

•Outdoorfurniture.

•Ifyourspaceissmall,plantyourplantsfurther aparttoavoidthespacefeelingcramped. Whataresomecosteffectivewaystocreatea nicegarden?

•Plantperennialsthatwillcomebackagainand againsothatyouarenothavingtoreplace plantseachyear.

•Sowseedstosavecosts,youwilljustneedto bepatient.

•Plantaherbgardenoravegetablepatch,not onlywillitlookgreatandcolourfulbutitwill alsosaveyoumoneyonbuyingherbsand veggiesfromthesupermarket.

ABOVE:PaigeTennantfromPalmers. LEFT: Bulbscanbeplantedfromnow throughtolateautumn. Photos/Supplied

Do youleakalittle when youexercise?

Kiwiinnovationismaking lifeeasierforthoseofus with aweakbladder.

One womanin threeandonemanin five leaksa little whentheysneeze, cough,laughorlift somethingheavy. Lightbladderleakageis more commonthan you’dimagine, especiallyin womenafterchildbirth andmenopause,andinmenafter prostatecancertreatment.Butthanks tocleverKiwiingenuity, youdon’t havetoletittakeover yourlife.

Untilrecently,prettymuchtheonly optionfor managingbladderleakage wassingle-usepads.Unfortunately they’re amajorcontributortolandfill, whichhasledmanypeopletolookfor amoreenvironmentallyfriendly solution.Amongthosearetheteam atKiwicompanyConfitex Technology.

Havinglaunchedthe world’s first fashionablerangeofincontinence underwearatNewZealandFashion Weekin2015,Confitexfollowedupin 2021 with asecond-generationrange withvastlysuperiorabsorbentand leakproofperformance.

Soldonlyonlineattheofficialwebsite confitex.co.nz undertheConfitex forMenandJust’nCasebrands, they’rehigh-qualityfabricunderwear withthebonusof adiscreetpanelof Confitex’sworld-leadingabsorbent andleakprooftextiletechnologyright whereit’sneededforprotection againstlightbladderleakage.

Designedtobe worneverydayand atnight,theyarecomfortableand convenient,andcanbemachine washedandevensafelytumbledried,exactlylikeordinaryundies.

ConfitexforMenleakprooftrunksand Just’nCaseabsorbentbriefsfor

womencomein arangeofstyles, colours,fabricsandsizes –andnow innewdesignsincludingEveryday Plus absorbencyfor menandcotton fullbriefsforwomen.

Initiallyinventedwitheliteendurance athletesinmind,theConfitexfor Men andJust’nCase rangesaretheonly absorbentunderwearthathavebeen independently verified byinternational standardslaboratoryUL.Their performancehasbeen verifiedacross arangeofmeasures,including leakproofing,absorbencycapacity, odourresistance,breathability, durabilityandabsenceofpotentially harmfulPFOAandPFOSchemicals. Lookforthe UL verificationbadges whenyoubuyonlinetomakesure you’regettingtherealdeal. Notonlyareabsorbentunderwear morecomfortable,discreetand environmentallyfriendlythan single-usepadsandguards,but

because youwearthemagainand again yousavemoneyinthelongrun.

ConfitexCEOChristineArden recommends firstbuyingonepairto testinthecomfortandprivacyofyour home. Thenonce you’resure you’ve gottherightsizeandabsorbency, you canstockuponenoughpairsto allow youtogetonwithlife.

“Everyday we hearfrommenand womenwhosayConfitexunderwear hasreducedtheiranxietyandgiven themtheconfidenceandfreedomto liveanactivelife,”saysArden.

To benefitfromConfitex’s new styles, mostup-to-datetechnologyand excellent customerservice,make sureyou orderyourunderwearfrom theofficial websitebytyping confitex.co.nz intotheaddress field of yourbrowser. If youhaveany queriesaboutConfitexproducts please email info@confitex.co.nz

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Retirement living your way

Ifyou’restartingtopicturelifebeyondwork, pictureitdoingwhatyoulove,onyourterms. Movingintoaretirementcommunitycanbea dauntingdecisionforsome. PLUSchatstoVivid

Livingaboutmovingaheadinlifewithenergyand expectation.

Whatthingsshouldyouconsiderwhen choosingaretirementvillage?

Beclearaboutwhatkindoflifestyleyouare lookingforandwhatisimportantforyou.Moving intoaretirementvillageisaverypersonalchoice andtherearelotsofoptionsouttheretoconsider

Areyoulookingforagreatcommunityand friendships?Supportforhealthandwellbeing?

Peaceofmindwithadditionalsecurity?Areyou lookingforlargein-housefacilities,orperhaps you’rewantingtoprotectyourhard-earned savingsforthefuture?

WhatmakesVividLivingagreatchoice? What arethebenefits?

VividLivingisagreatchoiceforthoselookingfor avibrant,active,independentlivingcommunity AspartoftheFletcherBuildingGroup,andbuilt byresidentialexpertsFletcherLiving,ourhomes willbewarm,dry,energy-efficientandeasytolive in.Designedtobeintegratedwiththecommunity andnestledwithingthrivingFletcherLiving neighbourhoods,VividLivingoffersafreshnew approachtoretirementliving.

Ouruniqueoperatingmodeloffersasharein thecapitalgains,alowdeferredmanagement feeofonly15%(withotheroperatorscharging between20-30%),novillagefeesafterexit,anda 4-monthguaranteedbuybackperiod.

Whatoptionsarethereforaccommodation?

Wehavearangeof1,2,and3-bedroomvillasto suitdifferentpreferences.

Canyoutellusaboutthewidercommunity?

Whatamenitiesareinthelocalarea?

VividLivingatRedBeachwillbeavibrantcoastal communityonlyminutesawayfrombeautiful localbeachesatRedBeachandOrewaandallthe

greatlocalamenitiesthatOrewatowncentrehas tooffer.Withitslivelyeateries,localplaygrounds forthegrandkids,cafesandrestaurants, supermarketsandwonderfulwalkingandcycle trackstoexplorethereismorethanenoughto keepyoubusy

Whatsupportservicesareonoffer?

AtVividLivingwewanttosupportourresidents tolivethelifetheywant,ontheirownterms.We takecareofthestressofhomemaintenanceand upkeep,allowingourresidentstospendtheirtime astheychoose.

WehaveformedkeypartnershipswithPrivate CareNZ(partoftheNZHealthGroup),Securely, Spritely,andMyFoodBagtoofferarangeof supportservicestoourresidents.

Weoffermonthlyandannualhealthchecksto allresidentsthroughPrivateCareNZ.Residents canalsoaccesstailoredhealthcarepackages, givingthemsupportwhentheyneedit

OurpartnershipwithSecurelygivesresidents peaceofmindwithHome&Awayalarmsystems, smokeandCOmonitoring,anda24/7resident responseservice.Securelyalsoofferadditional personalsecuritymeasuresforresidentsthatwish topurchasethem,suchasmedicalalarmsand personalpendants.

Spritelyisanaward-winningcompanythatwill providetouchscreentabletstoourcommunity residents.

Everyvillawillincludeanage-friendlySpritely tablet,allowingresidentstoaccessservices, interactwithcommunitystaffandstaysocially connectedwithfamilyandfriends.

OurmostrecentpartnershipiswithMyFood Bag,whereresidentscanorderreadyMADEmeals ormeal-kitsattheclickofabuttonfromtheir Spritelytablet.

WherecanIfindmoreinformationorregister myinterest?

Visitwww.vividliving.co.nz

OurdisplayhomeisopenMonday–Fridayfrom 9am–4:30pm at3ATiromoanaDrive,RedBeach.

Affordable rentals help elderly

Highhouseprices,limitedstock andexpensiverentalsmeans moreolderpeoplearetryingto findalternativeaccommodation.

TheRetirementCommissionsays by2048,40%ofretireeswillrent, however,marketrentalratesareoften unaffordableforolderpeople.

HaumaruHousing,establishedin 2016,isanAucklandproviderofsocial housingandspecialisesinproviding affordablerentalhomesforolder people.

ItisapartnershipbetweenThe SelwynFoundationandAuckland Councilwith1475unitsacross62 villagesinAuckland.

HaumaruHousingchiefexecutive GillianSchweizersaidtheyprovide affordablelong-termtenanciesin positiveandinclusivecommunitiesand

ByRubyHarfield

worktosupportolderpeople’sgeneral wellbeingandconnectedness,sothey cancontinuetoliveindependentlyand withthecertaintyofhavingastable, permanenthome.

“Highlightingolderpeople’shousing needsandadvocatingforinitiativesto improveseniors’engagementinlifeand enjoymentoftheamenitiesavailable withintheirneighbourhoodsisalso aprimeobjectivefortheHaumaru Housingteam.”

Its2022tenantsatisfactionsurvey showedthattenantsfeltsafeintheir homesandvillagesandfeltconnected to,andinvolvedintheircommunity, shesaid.

“Theneedformoreaffordablerental housingforseniorshasneverbeen moreurgent.

“HaumaruHousingcontinuesto

workwithpartnerstoincreaseour rentalhousingstocktodeliverabetter futureforvulnerableolderpeople.

“Inthelastfinancialyear,weplaced 157newtenancies,allhousedfromthe MinistryofSocialDevelopment’sSocial HousingRegister.”

Thepartnershipalsoopened41new dwellingsinGlenEdeninOctoberlast yearandworkisstartingon52rentalsin Northcotethisyear.

“Welookforwardtobeingable tocapitaliseonourstrongbaseto developourserviceprovisionfurtherin responsetotheevergrowingdemand foraffordablerentaloptionsfor Auckland’soldercitizens,andtooffer security,comfort,peace-of-mindand opportunitytovulnerableseniorsin needofanaffordable,stablehometo calltheirown.”

It’simportant tohave home insurance

Therisingcostoflivingmayhavesome peoplerethinkingtheirexpenses, includinghomeinsurancepremiums. Insurancecanhelpyourhomeinmany differentsituationssuchastherecent floodingandeffectsofCycloneGabriellein Auckland,Hawke’sBayandotherareas.

AAInsuranceheadofproductMatthew Hickeysaidhomeinsuranceprovidescover fortheunexpected.

“Havingtherightlevelofinsurance coverwillhelppayforrepairsifyourhome sustainsdamageduringanaturaldisasteror accident.

“Homeinsurancepoliciesofteninclude atemporaryaccommodationsupplement incaseyoucan’tliveinyourhomewhile assessmentandrepairsareunderwaywhich givesyoupeaceofmindintheeventofa disaster.”

AAInsuranceoffersarangeofwaysto helpcustomerssaveontheirinsurance, suchasmulti-policydiscounts,theoption toincreaseyourexcesstoreduceyour premium,and“oneeventoneexcess”, meaningifyourhome,contentsandcarare alldamagedinoneeventyouwillonlyneed topayoneexcess,hesaid.

ByRubyHarfield

Itisimportanttoreviewyourpolicy regularlyespeciallywiththerisingcostsof buildingmaterialsandlabour.

Mostinsurershaveacalculatorontheir websitetoestimatetheamountofcoveryou needforyourhomeinsurance.

“Wheninsuringyourhome,calculate everythingitwouldtaketorebuildyour homefromthegrounduptoinformthelevel ofcoveryouneed.

“It’simportantyoudon’trelyonmarket valueoryourpurchasepricetodetermine yoursuminsured,becauseinmostcases therebuildcostwilldifferfrombothofthese values.”

AAInsurancerespectsthatevery customer’scircumstancesareunique,and encouragescustomerstocontactusdirectly totalkabouttheiruniqueneeds,hesaid.

“AAInsurancealsorecognisesthat ourseniorcustomersareoftenonfixed incomesandmay,atsomepoint,experience vulnerability,sowehaveadedicatedtraining programmeanddocumentedprocessesin placetoensureweidentifysituationswhere acustomermaybestrugglingandempower ourpeopletoprovideextrasupportwhereit isneeded.”

MAIN:HaumaruHousingchiefexecutiveGillian Schweizer. RIGHT:HaumaruHousinghas1475 affordablerentalsforolderpeopleinAuckland.

Photos/Supplied

AAInsuranceheadofproductMatthewHickey. Photos/Supplied

Retirement paradise foundin theBay ofPlenty

Ifhealthand wellbeingisimportanttoyou,you’ll want to retiretoaseasidehaventhatbringsyoucloserto natureandmakesliving ahealthylifestyle effortless.

You’llwantaplaceclosetotheseasoyoucanenjoythewarmsun onyourfaceandsavourthesparkle ofthesea.Yourhome shouldbe beautifullyappointedandsetonpark-likegroundswhereyou canstrollundermaturetreesandenjoyshowqualitygardens.

You’llalsoneed ahot mineralpoolandallthe facilities ofa health resort atyourdisposal,andofcourse acaring communityofpeople who’vechosenthesameretirement lifestyleyou’reaspiringtorightnow.We’vefoundyourplace, it’shereat Ōmokoroa CountryEstate.

BookyourownpersonaltourofNZ’smost beautifulcoastal retirementvillage.

Aneasywalkto thebeach,a modern,spacious home, in asecureenvironmentwith friendly neighbours. What morecouldyouaskforinthe nextchapterofyourlife?

Capitalgainisonething KarakaPinesVillageshas alwaysofferedalongwiththeoptionofafixedfeeforlife, butthere’smoretoitthanthat.

Comeandexploreourplansfor KarakaPinesWaihiBeachand our revolutionarytakeonretirementliving anddiscoverwhatsets usapartforyourself. We’d loveto seeyou.