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Frequently Asked Questions

Please find a selection of frequently asked questions below.

The village is owned and operated by Highgrove Holdings Limited with Geraldine, Khim Ferry and Linda McFadyen as Directors. Geraldine, Khim and Linda are committed to providing a village environment, which will be supportive, happy and caring.

Village life offers the best of both worlds, you can enjoy the benefits of privacy and security whilst not having to worry about maintaining your home. Choosing a village which suits you can enrich your lifestyle and give you the time you deserve to pursue your interests in a friendly and safe environment. Some reasons to move to a village are:

  • Enjoy the privacy of your own home
  • Maintain independence in a supportive environment
  • Peace of mind from 24 hour ‘on call’ assistance
  • Gain access to a variety of services and recreation facilities
  • Remove the major worry of maintaining a home
  • Eliminate the need to worry about security

The most common phrase we hear from existing residents is “I wish I had made the decision to move sooner.” Villages provide a haven for people who seek an improved quality of life and peace of mind, financial and physical security, whilst retaining their independence within an open environment. Village Lifestyle is designed to afford you a lifestyle with abundant advantages not found in conventional suburban living, a place to relax and set a pace for yourself. Allowing you the opportunity of sharing skills and talents with the other village residents, if you so desire.

Gerrie and Khim are a mother and daughter team. Gerrie is a Registered Nurse and well qualified as a people person. Khim holds a Bachelor in Commerce and Arts from Auckland University and has been involved in the family business for many years. The family continue to own and operate Greenview Park Village established in 1997, which they designed and built. Visit Greenview online www.greenview.co.nz.

The Village is funded in part by private equity from the Ferry Family, and by funds advanced by ANZ National Bank. Audited Financial Statements are available each year. The Statutory Supervisor receives a Quarterly Directors Report on Highgrove Village, which incorporate financial covenants set by them. A Financial Quarterly Report on the Ferry Group is checked by the Bank’s credit team, covenants and ratios are keys indicators which are met each quarter.

Firstly, an Application Form needs to be completed. You will then be supplied with the following documents:

  • The Disclosure Statement
  • The Occupation Right Agreement
  • Dept. of Building and Housing Code of Practice
  • The Code of Residents’ Rights

On completing an Application form, you will be asked to pay a deposit of $2,000 with no further payment necessary until final settlement. The deposit will be held by the Statutory Supervisor and is fully refundable on request (with any interest accrued), if you choose not to proceed.

You occupy your home with a “Occupation Right Agreement” (ORA). This form of agreement is provided for under the Retirement Villages Act 2003 and is considered best practice in the Retirement Village Industry.

Your interests are protected by means of a Memorandum of Encumbrance, which is registered over the title of the village property and held in the name of the Statutory Supervisor. The Memorandum of Encumbrance is like a first mortgage over the land, which acts as security to ensure performance of the Village’s responsibilities, as stated in the Occupation Right Agreement.

Effectively they act as a “watchdog” over the operations of the Village on behalf of Residents. This includes ensuring Highgrove Village fulfils its obligations as stated in the Occupation Right Agreement under the Retirement Villages Act 2003. We have appointed Covenant Trustee Services Limited as our independent Statutory Supervisor whose role is to protect the rights of our Residents. Covenant Trustee is New Zealand’s leading provider of statutory supervision services to the retirement village. More information available at www.covenant.co.nz

A Resident Committee will be elected by the Residents. This Committee will liaise with Village Management. The Committee plays an important role in providing a communicative and happy village.

The Village ‘Weekly Fee’ is $162.69 ($705 per month). It is actual cost, with no profit margin. Your ‘Weekly Fee’ covers the village operating costs, these include:

  • Maintenance of Grounds and Communal Areas
  • External Building Maintenance
  • Administration Costs including staff costs
  • Statutory Supervisor’s fee
  • Rubbish disposal
  • Rates (Land and Water)
  • Building Insurance
  • Village Vehicle and Transport
  • Emergency Calls
  • Security
  • Long-term Maintenance Provision Fund

Yes, the reality of the weekly fee is that it covers the day to day costs of running Highgrove. During the sell-down phase we subsidise the overall running of the village. Once the village is fully occupied, we expect it to become self-sufficient in covering its costs. The Weekly Fee is an actual cost; it does not include a profit margin, we would not envisage this to increase more than CPI. Council Rates is the largest component of the weekly fee, it has been the largest influence on weekly fee increases at our Waitakere Village. A full financial report is prepared annually; it includes prior year operating accounts and the coming year forecast budgets. The Company’s Auditors and Statutory Supervisor review these accounts before it is distributed to residents.

Yes. You will be responsible for all private usage within your home such as power, telephone, contents insurance and the interior up-keep of your home.

No. We will refurbish your apartment to an ‘as new’ condition; facilitating sale of your apartment. We will also manage the entire sale process, which may include: marketing, stage furniture and open homes etc.

Community facilities are available and ready for your enjoyment. Facilities include a dining room, bar and club lounge, indoor heated pool and spa, indoor bowls, gymnasium, library with internet access and hair salon.

Each apartment is equipped with emergency call buttons and a pendant you can wear. These are linked directly to our on-site Hospital Nurse Care System. Once activated care staff at the Hospital are alerted. A trained member of staff will respond immediately to any emergency.

Additional Service Packages are available to meet Residents’ needs. Service packages can cater for a wide variety of needs; these can incorporate anything from meals, laundry and cleaning services to the delivery of care in your home.

Yes. Patrick Ferry House, our on-site Hospital, is adjacent to the Village. Patrick Ferry House will provide Emergency Assistance and will provide the requested Additional Services. As a Highgrove Resident, you will have a right of priority admission over any waiting list.

Yes, you may if you wish, maintain the garden adjoining your apartment and/ or other areas as arranged with the Village Manager.

We recognise the value of pets and the companionship they provide. However, we must also protect other residents’ right to quiet enjoyment of their home and village amenities. Subject to the Village Manager’s approval, you may be able to bring your current pet to Highgrove Village.

While you are away you can relax with the knowledge that your home is secure, your mail collected, and exterior maintenance taken care of. It is your home and you may come and go as you please.

Yes. It is your home and your visitors are most welcome in the Village at any time. Friends, family or relatives can stay on a short-term basis.

The Retirement Villages Association of New Zealand Inc (RVA) is a voluntary membership association for retirement villages in New Zealand. The RVA is a national body that works to represent, protect and promote the interests of its members and their associated services. The principal aim of the RVA is to represent villages with a shared vision for providing quality services. In order to achieve this aim, the association has for some time had a member Code of Practice requiring RVA members to operate their villages in a professional manner and with the highest level of integrity. The Code of Practice is externally audited and provides assurance to residents and members that village management is meeting the required standards. For more information visit www.retirementvillages.org.nz

Thanks Patrick Ferry House, we’re so lucky to have picked you!

Janet Templeman & Leonie Gallaher

“Thanks for the consideration and dedication you show towards my Dad. His profession was one of ‘caring’ for people less fortunate, so it is nice to know he is now on the receiving end. Keep up the good work.”

Megan

“Thank you for the good care you have given Mike over the last week. I appreciate the attention you give him which gives me the opportunity to recharge my batteries.”

Pat Scott

“Thank you for your warm & welcoming manner in welcoming Gordon. When he passed by your desk & the assistance and support you offered us in managing Helens care. Our experience at Patrick Ferry House was appreciated and first class.”

Lester Family
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