Metlifecare announces new Hawke’s Bay retirement village site

Tuesday 26 August 2025

Metlifecare has announced its first land acquisition for the new financial year – a premium 6-hectare site in the Napier suburb of Greenmeadows (Te Roropipi precinct) – purchased from Mana Ahuriri Hāpai Limited Partnership (Mana Ahuriri Hāpai), a collaboration between Mana Ahuriri Trust and the iwi-owned national property fund Hāpai.

Metlifecare will invest approximately $140 million to transform the multi hectare site at 42 Wharerangi Road into a vibrant new retirement village.

Once complete, the village will offer around 150 single-level two and three-bedroom villas, a premium care home, and resident amenities including a pool, gym, café/bar, library, and landscaped outdoor spaces.

Metlifecare Chief Executive Officer Earl Gasparich says the partnership marks an important step in the company’s disciplined, data-led land acquisition strategy.

“This acquisition reflects our ongoing focus on securing high-quality, well-located sites that will deliver the best outcomes for future residents and shareholders. Our approach combines detailed demographic analysis, housing market insights, and comprehensive customer research – ensuring every site we add to our landbank has strong long-term potential,” says Mr Gasparich.

“Te Roropipi is an exceptional location for a retirement village – it’s minutes from Anderson Park, Park Island, Greenmeadows New World and just a short drive into Napier city. We’re honoured to be working alongside Mana Ahuriri to create a village that respects the cultural heritage of the area and offers a connected, enriching lifestyle for our future residents.”

The partnership will see both parties work together during the design process, guided by shared values of manaakitanga (care and respect), kaitiakitanga (guardianship), and a commitment to sustainability, including the extensive use of native plantings.

Earthworks are expected to commence later this year, with the first residents anticipated in 2027. Once operational, the village will create significant employment opportunities, both during construction and in its ongoing operation.

Mana Ahuriri Trust Chair Te Kaha Hawaikirangi says: “This development represents another exciting opportunity as part of our wider property strategy to deliver positive economic, social, and cultural benefits for our hapū and the wider Hawke’s Bay community.

“The sale of just over 30% of the site to Metlifecare, is a cornerstone for our wider development plans for Te Roropipi which will include the development of a commercial retail precinct, and high-quality housing and sections, all being available to our Mana Ahuriri whānau.

“We look forward to seeing a village that honours our whenua while providing a place of belonging for older New Zealanders.”

The acquisition brings Metlifecare’s future development pipeline to 21 sites across New Zealand, capable of delivering more than 1,700 independent living units and care suites.

To register your interest in our future retirement village in Napier, visit: www.metlifecare.co.nz/napier

ENDS

For further details, please contact:
Lara Harrison
External Communications Specialist
Metlifecare
E: larah@metlifecare.co.nz
P: 022 079 3554

About Metlifecare
Established in 1984, Metlifecare is a leading owner and operator of retirement villages, providing rewarding lifestyles and care to more than 7,000 New Zealanders. Metlifecare currently operates 37 villages around New Zealand and employs more than 2,000 staff.

About Mana Ahuriri Trust
Mana Ahuriri Trust is the Post Settlement Governance Entity for the Ahuriri Hapū, established to receive and manage assets on behalf of whānau who whakapapa to the Ahuriri Hapū. The Trust is committed to supporting the cultural and economic well-being of Ahuriri hapū while preserving heritage and fostering sustainable growth for future generations. Mana Ahuriri Holdings LP is its wholly owned commercial arm responsible for the management of the Trust’s investments.

About Hāpai
Hāpai is a property fund that is unique in Aotearoa being 100% Iwi owned and controlled and singularly focused on empowering enduring Māori success in the property sector.

Hāpai concentrates on combining Iwi capacity with Iwi opportunity to drive the collective growth of the Māori property economy. Hāpai was founded in 2019 by six Iwi to undertake their property investment collectively, enabling scale, diversification and effective execution. Hāpai Iwi investors now numbers over 36 Iwi from the across the motu investing and developing across a range of property classes.

Hāpai Housing has a strong track record of developing vibrant and sustainable communities that deliver high quality and affordable homes for whānau.