All systems go for exciting new retirement village in Clevedon

Metlifecare has been given the green light to build a $150m retirement village on its Otau/Clevedon site following resource consent approval by Auckland Council. The site is Metlifecare’s ninth in the wider South-East Auckland region and will become its 35th operating village in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The 20-hectare site located on Kawakawa Road in the heart of Clevedon township will be home to approximately 250 residents. Once complete, the Auckland retirement village will provide a range of premium living options for New Zealand’s growing population of future retirees, including around 120 villas, 8 independent apartments, and a 60-bed care home.

Metlifecare’s Senior Development Manager, Joe Bartley, says Otau/Clevedon is recognised as one of Auckland’s growth areas, with population projected to increase by an additional 2000-2400 people over the next few decades.

“We are excited to be part of this thriving and engaged community which is growing rapidly. Significant consultation has taken place over the last 12 months. It really has been a team effort, working with Council, our design team, local community, and iwi discussing a range of matters so that we meet the needs of future Clevedon residents. This collaborative approach was integral in obtaining the resource consent. We look forward to continuing to talk to community members throughout the implementation phase.”

“Now that we have resource consent approval for the retirement village, we can start progressing the design to create a village that the locals will love. It also means we will begin site works this coming summer,” says Joe.

Joe says Ngai Tai ki Tamaki have played a key role in helping Metlifecare obtain resource consent.

“As the custodians of the area, it was very important for us to engage with Ngai Tai ki Tamaki in a meaningful way to help us understand the cultural significance of the surrounding area and the site’s connection with the Wairoa River.”

Metlifecare will continue to engage Ngai Tai ki Tamaki on social and environmental initiatives that will add value to the new village community and positively impact the surrounding environment.

Alice Couchman, who is one of Metlifecare’s Development Managers and oversees all aspects of the Clevedon development says that “This village will have a strong focus on implementing a range of sustainability initiatives. We’ll be carrying out riparian planting along the Wairoa River and, with the Hunua Ranges right on our doorstep, there are likely to be opportunities to use eco-sourced plants throughout the village landscaping.”

“Robust management plans will be in place to protect the local flora and fauna, including the protection of native birds, lizards and fish, throughout the planned construction,” says Alice.

Reducing its environmental footprint when building new villages is a fundamental part of Metlifecare’s sustainability focus. The Otau/Clevedon village villas and apartments will be targeting the NZGBC Homestar 7 rating and the care home a 6 Green Star rating, currently the highest Green Star certification rating for a commercial building.

The Otau/Clevedon Village design approach was to provide strong connections to the surrounding rural landscape. It was paramount to incorporate key amenities and features that epitomise Clevedon’s unique community and lifestyle.

“The village will provide strong physical and visual connections from the Otau/Clevedon township through to the Wairoa River and Hunua Ranges, including entry points to the wider Clevedon Trails – a developing network of trails and pathways around Clevedon and the surrounding area.

“The bridle trail was designed and developed by locals for greater community connectivity and will allow residents to safely walk or cycle around the area and directly to the amenities in the township,” says Alice.

The site also contains the Wilson Homestead dating back to c.1870.The building stands on its original farm site, where James Milson established the earliest commercial transport service with a sailing boat.

“The historical homestead and the immediate surrounding landscape will be restored to its former glory and become a fantastic community space for residents to come together socially.”

Earthworks are due to start in October 2022 and Metlifecare expects to welcome its first residents into the village in 2024.

Register your interest at www.clevedonretirement.co.nz or email clevedonretirement@metlifecare.co.nz

For further details, please contact:

Lara Harrison
External Communications Specialist
Metlifecare

E: larah@metlifecare.co.nz
P: 022 079 3554