How to have an epic retirement in New Zealand
How to have an epic retirement in New Zealand
Retirement is a transformative stage of life, offering the freedom to embark on new adventures, explore fresh interests, and find fulfilment in ways that may have been put on hold during the busy years of work and family life. It’s a time to focus on what truly brings you joy.
With its beautiful landscapes, outdoor lifestyle, and relaxed culture, New Zealand is the perfect place to make the most of your retirement. And at Ryman Healthcare, you can enjoy top-quality independent living options and exceptional care within a vibrant, supportive community of like-minded people.
What is an epic retirement?
An epic retirement is one where you embrace the right opportunities with enthusiasm and purpose. It's about living with intention and making the most of your time by pursuing what truly lights you up and energises you.
Maybe you love to travel, make new friends, or perhaps there’s an activity or hobby you’ve always wanted to try. Now is your time to do it. For some, retirement doesn’t necessarily mean stopping work. If you love what you do, an epic retirement might include working part-time, volunteering, or even starting a brand-new career you’re passionate about, like Carol, who became an artist at the age of 75.
Although the definition of an epic retirement will look different for each person, below are some common themes that many retirees have found contribute greatly to happiness in retirement.
Tips for an epic retirement
Engage in hobbies and explore new interests
When you retire, you may have more free time, and having enjoyable hobbies and interests helps prevent boredom or feelings of aimlessness.
Pursuing hobbies and discovering new interests will help:
- Keep your mind sharp
- Provide a sense of fulfilment
- Reduce stress
Retirement often means you have more time to learn new skills or explore things you’ve always wanted to try, such as:
- Painting
- Swimming
- Learning an instrument
Engaging in brain-challenging activities to keep your mind agile, such as:
- Puzzles
- Languages
- Learning new skills
At Ryman it’s easy to embark on new experiences and rediscover old interests – not to mention find new friends and neighbours to share them with. Like Neil and David, who met in Ryman’s Bruce McLaren village and now regularly lock up and head off for fly-fishing trips together.
Build and maintain social connections
Whether you’re the life of the party or prefer quieter social interactions, you’ll benefit from positive connections with friends and family. Hobbies often provide a sense of community and connection. Whether you’re joining a local group or simply sharing your passion with others, these social connections contribute to a sense of belonging and boost overall well-being.
Ryman villages are friendly communities with regular social events, interest-based groups, and opportunities for residents to connect, making it easier to build a network of friends to share life’s moments with.
At Ryman’s Bert Sutcliffe village in Auckland, a group of residents have formed a travel group who enjoy a variety of expeditions from dinners out to day trips to multi-day adventures. They all agree that living in the village makes travel easy. They don’t worry about lawn mowing or mail collection while they’re away, and security is never a concern. And those who have lost loved ones or have partners in care, have found a community of new friends within the group.
Keep active for wellbeing
Staying physically and mentally active is essential for maintaining good health and fully enjoying your retirement. Regular activities like walking, dancing, swimming, or yoga can boost your energy and elevate your mood.
Living in a retirement village gives you access to a number of healthy living options such as:
- Fitness facilities
- Wellness programs
- Mental enrichment activities
For example, the ACC-approved and accredited Ryman Triple A (Ageless, Active, Aware) free exercise programme is available to all Ryman residents. Specifically designed for older adults, this programme is based on the belief that you’re never too old to exercise, you just need to find exercise that works for you and that you enjoy.
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Some epic retirement locations in New Zealand
With everything from golden beaches to lush rainforests to snow-capped mountains, New Zealand’s diverse landscapes provide endless opportunities for exploration and relaxation.
At Ryman, we make retirement living even better with conveniently located villages that offer safety, premium amenities, and easy access to local attractions. Our villages are vibrant, connected communities where you can find your people and enjoy the things you love most.
Northland
Choose retirement living in the winterless north, with stunning coastlines, Kauri forests, and white sand beaches. Our Whangarei village offers easy access to shopping and amenities within the subtropical beauty of Northland.
Auckland
Ryman offers a range of retirement villages across Auckland. For a relaxed, beachside lifestyle with café culture and beach access, try our North Shore villages, including Orewa. For city views, check out Birkenhead or Devonport. In West Auckland, enjoy easy access to motorways and the Waitakere Ranges. For a central location, explore our Remuera, St Heliers, and Greenlane villages. We also offer well-appointed villages in Howick and Pukekohe in the south and east.
Bay of Plenty
Nestled on the eastern side of the North Island, The Bay of Plenty is a stunning spot to retire with its spectacular beaches, unique marine life, and scenic walking trails. With some of the highest sunshine hours in the country, our Tauranga village is the ideal place to soak up the surroundings.
Waikato
Retirement living in the Waikato offers a blend of semi-rural charm and city conveniences. Choose from three desirable Ryman villages in Hamilton and leafy Cambridge, with a Taupo village coming soon where residents can enjoy proximity to ski slopes, trout fishing, biking, kayaking and Great Walks.
Taranaki
If you love mountain views, beautiful parks and scenic walkways, along with galleries, museums, and festivals, retirement living in Taranaki is a great choice. Our Jean Sandal Retirement Village in New Plymouth offers a fantastic range of lifestyle options in a beautiful west coast setting.
East Coast
The beautiful and rugged East Coast of New Zealand is the perfect setting for retirement, with Gisborne providing easy access to stunning outdoor scenery, wineries, epic surf breaks, and pristine beaches along an uninterrupted coastline.
Hawkes Bay
Hawkes Bay is known for its wine country, scenic landscapes, and charming towns. The mild climate and excellent vineyards make it an ideal spot if you enjoy fine wine, outdoor activities, and an easy pace of life. Boasting some of New Zealand’s highest sunshine hours each year, Hawke’s Bay is a lovely part of New Zealand to retire to.
Manawatu/Whanganui
Retirement living in Manawatu/Whanganui combines rural tranquillity with city convenience. Choose from two outstanding Ryman villages in the region, which offers rugged coastlines, rolling countryside, and native bush, alongside vibrant cafés, galleries, and museums.
Wellington
Wellington, New Zealand’s vibrant capital, is known for its stunning harbour, rich arts scene, scenic hills, and thriving café culture, offering a perfect blend of nature and urban life. Ryman offers several exceptional retirement villages in Wellington, each offering a unique lifestyle.
Tasman
If finding one of the sunniest spots in New Zealand is top of your list for retirement living, then the Tasman region is perfect, with its sunny weather and proximity to some of New Zealand’s most beautiful beaches and national parks. The area has an artistic vibe with plenty of galleries, local markets, and a thriving craft scene.
Canterbury
Canterbury is a region of diverse beauty, featuring everything from the expansive Canterbury Plains to the towering Southern Alps – not to mention plenty of flat ground for walking, an outdoorsy culture, and a thriving city scene. Ryman offers several beautiful retirement villages in Canterbury, each with their own unique character.
Otago
Retirement living in Otago offers easy access to stunning landscapes, wildlife, and rich cultural history. In Dunedin, we have two fantastic Ryman villages close to heritage buildings, shops, museums, and restaurants. The wider region offers outdoor activities, including wildflower walks in Alexandra, biking trails in Central Otago, and scenic cruises on Lakes Dunstan and Roxburgh.
Southland
Southland, known for its rugged coast and rolling hills, offers a beautiful setting for retirement. Our Invercargill village offers easy access to urban amenities and surrounding attractions, including Oreti Beach, Waituna Wetlands, historic wharfs, and Queens Park. Just 30 minutes from the city, you can visit Bluff for fresh seafood or take a ferry to Stewart Island, home to native birds including kiwi.
An epic retirement at Ryman
A fulfilling retirement that makes the most of your retirement years can be achieved through:
- Planning financially, emotionally, and mentally
- Staying healthy
- Maintaining a sense of purpose
- Staying engaged with life
- Embracing the opportunities that retirement presents for personal growth, connection, and adventure
At Ryman, we're here to support your epic retirement. Like any chapter in life, the choice is yours in how you spend it. When you’re not entertaining family and friends at your village, you can take off on holiday knowing your home is safe and secure. Or choose to relax at home where our activity and lifestyle coordinators maintain a schedule of social events, hobby groups, and day trips for you to pick and choose. If you’re seeking peace and quiet, there’s solitude with a garden view around every corner and you can bring your furry friend to the village with you.
Start planning your epic retirement today
Whatever age, whatever stage, life is for exploring, especially now you have the freedom to choose your ideal retirement lifestyle. Rediscover lost passions or plunge headfirst into new ones, embark on adventures or put your feet up and appreciate the little things. This is your time and we’re here to help you enjoy it.
When people visit Ryman villages, they often tell us they feel the difference. There’s something in the way our residents and village teams interact, their energy and enthusiasm. Add beautiful homes, a bustling social calendar, and premium amenities and you’ll understand why our village communities are described as thriving.
Our expert team is here to help guide residents through the retirement planning process, and we offer independent living, assisted living, and a range of care options, to help with a smooth and stress-free transition into retirement living.
Contact Ryman Healthcare on 0800 000 290 or message us for more information on how to create your own epic retirement.
by Christine McCurdy | Mar 3, 2025
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