Part of Ryman Healthcare’s Edmund Hillary retirement village main block ‘under remediation’

It was sending residents weekly written updates on re-levelling and repairs to the building.

But it can’t say how long the huge job will take.

“While we’re working to complete the remediation as quickly as possible, we’re not yet able to provide a precise timeframe for completion of the works. We have apologised to residents for any inconvenience or disruption the work has caused,” the spokesman said.

But one resident said weekly fees remained the same so despite all the trouble, residents got no financial relief.

“... And if we live long enough to see it completed,” said one resident, frustrated about months of work with no end projected.

“There is a huge remediation work going on that was supposed to be finished in August and now seems to have no end date. There are cracks appearing throughout the building as a result of the strengthening work undertaken in the last nine months,” the resident said of part of the main block.

Some recreation areas were fenced off.

“Everyone has had enough,” the resident said.

The large village with a hospital, apartments and independent villas is at 221 Abbotts Way, opposite Remuera Golf Course.

The block being re-levelled is multi-levelled and spreads around one side of the village facing a lake with a fountain.

Parts of the ground floor have construction fencing around them.

The resident said problems with that main block and the extensive nature of repairs resulted in a great deal of stress for many residents.

“We certainly didn’t sign up for living in the middle of a construction zone with constant noise and disruption to our lives at a time when we should be enjoying retirement,” the resident said.

The reception has been shut and transferred temporarily to a smaller residential unit behind the main block, with signs directing visitors there.

A construction hub has been developed behind where the main reception usually operates from and is covered with white shrink wrap. Royal Wolf containers are on-site for use while the work progresses.

In a major geotechnical engineering exercise, holes have been drilled underground beneath part of that huge multi-level block.

Concrete is being pumped into those holes in an attempt to stabilise the ground and re-level floors within the centre, a resident said.

The company declared problems at that village in its half-year result to September 30, 2024: “Care centres are considered mature when they first reach 90% occupancy. Mature care centres in New Zealand declined by one due to the exclusion of Edmund Hillary which is undergoing renovation and is partially closed.”

In 2006, Ryman announced the village name and that it would be opened in May, 2007.

“It will feature a range of resort-style facilities which are unprecedented in New Zealand, including a small golf course, tennis court, bowling green, indoor heated swimming pool and spa. The village centre will feature a cafe, lounges, bar, private dining room, hair and beauty salons, a chapel and fabulous internal atriums,” it said then.

Around 200 staff would work at the village where more than 500 people live, it said last decade.

Around 2017, deck repairs were carried out, removing existing tiles and membranes and installing a new membrane and new deck finishes.

Ryman isn’t the only village operator to undertake substantial building repairs. In 2017 Metlifecare had a $44.1m repair bill. Villages affected then were Auckland’s Pinesong, Dannemora and Waitākere Gardens and Coastal Villas north of Wellington.

Ryman shares are trading around $4.33, down around 24% over the last year.

Ryman Healthcare

Anne Gibson has been the Herald’s property editor for 24 years, written books and covered property extensively here and overseas.