Legacy of luxury
Pāpāmoa’s latest aged care facility is a testament to resort-style
retirement living.
Words Monique Balvert-O’Connor
Bay of Plenty aged care options have taken yet another leap forward thanks to the recent completion of the Pacific Coast Care Centre – Te Manaaki, a luxurious $30 million aged care facility.
The new residential aged care centre opened in June at Pacific Coast Village, located at Maranui Street, on the coastal stretch between Mount Maunganui and Pāpāmoa. The completion of Te Manaaki (loosely translated to mean care and support) allows Pacific Coast and its adjacent sister village, Pacific Lakes, to offer a full continuum of care – from independent living, serviced apartments to residential aged care. Te Manaaki offers rest home and hospital level care, including palliative and end-of-life care.
Pacific Coast Village and Pacific Lakes Village are part of the Generus Living Group, which can lay claim to what’s been described as an unrivalled reputation for creating some of New Zealand’s most respected lifestyle villages.
Generus Living director Graham Wilkinson says the villages are indeed known for their upscale design and resort-style facilities rarely seen in New Zealand.
“The Care Centre, Te Manaaki, is a continuation of this considered design, crafted to provide residents with luxury living as well as elevated care and with it an added sense of security in their later years,” he says.
The rapidly burgeoning Bay of Plenty population has been watching the development of the villages – and lately Te Manaaki specifically – with interest, Graham says, especially those seeking a more upscale living and caring environment than previously offered in the area.
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
Designed by architectural firm Sumich Chaplin, the new building is 3000 square metres and seamlessly integrates with Pacific Coast’s architecturally designed Beach House. Te Manaaki presents as a modern facility with 58 highly appointed care suites over two levels, offering a range of spacious residences. Premier Suites, for example, are up to 56 square metres and include a small kitchenette, dedicated dining lounge area, walk-through wardrobe, and private ensuite. The extended living spaces and amenities are substantial and have been carefully curated to present as highly residential, providing residents with choice of environment and a sense of home
THE TE MANAAKI WAY
Te Manaaki will place a significant emphasis on a personalised approach, where residents will take the lead in their own lifestyle. They will be supported by a collaborative approach between Te Manaaki’s multidisciplinary clinical staff and family.
“It is recognised that this extra time, effort, and energy to adopt and engage in this model of care delivers significant outcomes, enhancing the daily life of both our residents and team,” Graham says.
Three months on and the feedback indicates it’s an applauded approach. Residents and stakeholders speak of the “warm and welcoming” staff, excellent companionship, removal of worry, the hotel-like standards, and the well-crafted building and fit-outs.
VOICING THEIR PRAISE
UNO spoke to Te Manaaki residents Joy Morgan, and Neil and Claire Robinson, who live in premier suites, and Tony King, who lives in a care suite, close to a villa where his wife lives. All are aged over 80.
Joy says living at Te Manaaki removes the worry for her children who both live overseas, and there is no other immediate family nearby. As well as that she’s happy to say she has all the amenities she needs, with plenty of activities offered to occupy her time. Plus she loves the company of people of a similar age. Joy was already a village resident, and the transfer and transition to Te Manaaki were seamless.
Neil and Claire both have conditions requiring care and can no longer manage being at home. They are more than happy to call Te Manaaki their new home. They love that it is brand new and enjoy amenities like the café and restaurant. Not having to cook or do their own washing gets the thumbs up too. The fact the village plans included building an aged care facility was the clincher in their decision making around where to live.
“We are being taken care of and enjoy the nice company offered by the other residents.”
Tony says he “liked the look of the place” and it has lived up to expectations. He appreciates how living in a care suite has removed the burden of his care from his wife. It is a safe place.
VALUE-CENTRED PARTNERSHIP
The care centre’s name acknowledges Generus Living Group’s partnership with Mangatawa Pāpāmoa Blocks Incorporation (MPBI) in the development of both villages – Pacific Coast and Pacific Lakes and whose taonga tuku iho (ancestral land) the villages are built on.
MPBI chief executive Scott Wikohika says Manaaki is a concept which is deeply valued. “Manaakitanga is about reciprocity of care and support," he says. "We are proud to have partnered in an investment that celebrates and recognises the value and contribution people continue to make to communities throughout their lives, regardless of their age.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
There are more than 600 residents calling either Pacific Coast or the adjacent Pacific Lakes Village home. Once Te Manaaki is fully occupied, and the remaining Pacific Lakes villas completed, the two villages will be home to more than 800 people. Pacific Lakes has 170 completed villas, with that number expected to reach 250 within two years’ time. Under development at Pacific Lakes is also The Pavilion – a larger amenity to the highly-acclaimed and widely-enjoyed Lake House. The Pavilion is also expected to be completed in two years’ and is set to become one of the largest and most comprehensive community facilities in any New Zealand village. The opening of Te Manaaki has boosted staff numbers, with the villages currently employing about 120 people. Employee numbers over both villages will eventually exceed 140.