gorgeous gardens - metlifecare

AUTUMN 2020 |

INSTORE

LASTING LEGACY 50-acre gift

of love

WILLING HANDS

What happens when residents take

the lead

GLASS HALF-FULL A light-hearted

glance at getting older

Gorgeous gardens

Celebrating our planted spaces

2 MORE IN STORE | Autumn 2020

G L E N S O W R YC E O - M E T L I F E C A R E

Glen

While a number of conditions need to be met in order for the sale to proceed, all going well the transfer of ownership will take place in May this year.

As CEO, I truly believe this is an exciting time for our residents, our staff and for Metlifecare. But for now, it’s business as usual. My focus and energy – and that of all Metlifecare staff - remains on you, our residents, and on operating our villages and care homes well, so you continue to have wonderful experiences with us.

On gardening Eighteen months ago, like many of you, I moved from a large family home into an apartment and, other than a few easy-care citrus plants and herb planters, I don’t have a garden to tend to these days. So, I was extremely impressed to read about the scope and scale of the projects residents are undertaking in our villages (Willing Hands, page 21).

The Japanese have a concept called Ikigai. It’s about having a sense of purpose, a reason to jump out of bed in the morning. These resident-led projects embody this principle, as does Marianne (page 7), who starts her day at 4am with a swim, before tending to six different gardens at

Sense of purposearound the world with a focus on scientific research and education.

EQT invests in businesses with positive societal impact – like ours. Under EQT ownership we would likely see increased investment in our villages – in care, in enhancing the experiences residents have every day in our village gardens, cafés and shared spaces, and in the growth and development of both new and existing villages.

In terms of staff retention and continuity in our villages, this is an industry that relies on its people - good people - and this is fully appreciated and understood by EQT.

Your ORA is fully protected under the Retirement Villages Act, and nothing changes in terms of the responsibilities and obligations we have to you currently.

Proposed acquisition As you may be aware, Metlifecare has signed a Scheme Implementation Agreement with Asia Pacific Village Group, a subsidiary of EQT Infrastructure Fund IV, which would see new ownership for Metlifecare. Our Board is unanimously in favour of the transaction.

Many of you will naturally be asking, what does this mean for me and my village?

Recently, our village managers, nurse managers and other senior staff from around the business met with representatives from EQT to hear about the company’s history, heritage, vision, values and strong connections to Sweden’s Wallenberg family.

We learnt that the Wallenberg family tradition of responsible ownership is an important part of EQT’s values and vision today. Every year, the Wallenberg Foundations contribute significantly to charities

- F R O M T H E C E O -

Gardening is good for the body and good for the soul, and we often hear from residents how important gardens are to their enjoyment of village life. I’ve had a great time pulling together

the garden-themed stories for this issue, heading to villages to look at our beautiful and useful planted spaces, explore

the ponds and pathways crafted by residents and hear first-hand from some of our cleverest resident gardeners. Thank you Bet, Aileen, Pam, Wally and others for taking the time to show me around your projects, some of which have taken

years to come to fruition.

Please get in touch with your feedback and ideas for future stories – you can contact me at [email protected].

A N N A M U R D O C HE D I TO R - M O R E I N S TO R E

Anna

DID YOU KNOW?

Glen was recently selected as Chair of the selection panel for The Sir Peter Blake Trust (BLAKE) Leadership Awards. Established in

2004, BLAKE is dedicated to continuing Sir Peter’s environmental leadership legacy, and aims to inspire environmental and leadership

passion in people through adventures and programmes that follow in the footsteps of Sir Peter himself.

As Chair, Glen leads a high-profile panel who every year select five leaders who exemplify Sir Peter’s extraordinary ‘can do’ spirit. Himself a former BLAKE leader (Glen was selected in 2005 to

receive the award), it’s a cause close to his heart.

“The work that BLAKE does in Peter’s memory resonates strongly with me, particularly in the environmental space. The health of our oceans is critical to our quality of life. The engagement of young

people in understanding and caring about this is core to the purpose of BLAKE, and something I’m passionate about.”

metlifecare.co.nz 3

Pinesong village.

Thank you to these residents for your vision and service – you are what our unique villages are all about.

Have a wonderful Easter.

Kind regards,

metlifecare.co.nz 5

CALLING ALL AVIATORS!

Pilots, cabin crew, aircraft engineers, flight dispatchers…

If you have a connection to the aviation industry, tell us your best story and you could win a chance

for a ride in a Westpac Rescue Helicopter as part of Metlifecare’s

10-year sponsorship of the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust.

Email [email protected] with ‘Aviator’ in the subject line

What’s in store- C O N T E N T S -

2 From the CEO5 Village life7 A love of beauty8 Green things10 What’s in a name?16 Planting love into the land

Metlifecare’s More in Store has a distribution of 9,500 and is available online at Metlifecare.co.nz

Editor: Anna Murdoch For all editorial enquires, please contact the editor at [email protected]

Contributors: Vern Walker, Maggie Randall, Tracey Edwards, Mark Hamilton, Mark Smith, Mary Seale-Bell, Makayla Wallace-Tidd, Rachel Fawcett, Robin Hodgkinson

Published and printed by: ICG www.icg.co.nzSenior Account Director: LauraGrace McFarlandDesigner: Conor Fox

PO Box 37463, Parnell, Auckland 1151Metlifecare.co.nz0800 909 303

/Metlifecare/Metlifecare

More In Store is published for Metlifecare Ltd

Village lifeA sneak peek behind the scenes

- N E W S -

ACE OPTION FOR GOLFERSEarthworks are underway for ‘Fairway Gardens’, Metlifecare’s newest retirement village development in the east Auckland suburb of Botany Downs.

It will be New Zealand’s first-ever retirement village to be located on a golf course, with no hard boundaries separating the village green from the 18-hole golf course. Response to the announcement was overwhelming, with more than 3,000 comments on the NZ Herald’s Facebook post.

Hole in one!

WELCOME, NADIA!We loved welcoming My Food Bag’s Nadia Lim to Pinesong!

Nadia presented a three-week trial of My Food Bag’s MADE meals delivery service at Pinesong. The trial is also taking place at Crestwood and Hillsborough Heights.

Residents enjoyed a choice of three specially selected meals, and took a free one home to try, too.

21 Willing hands24 We love our nurses26 Finding meaning and pride in aged care30 A light-hearted glance at getting a little bit older

More in Store is printed on FSC-MIX source pulp from well-managed forests and other controlled sources. We print using BIO-inks that contain materials which are based on renewable resources including wood resin (rosin, colophony), and vegetable oils linseed oil and soy bean oil.

7

16Cover Our cover star is Dannemora Gardens resident Rosa Sharp, 76. Described as a “sunny, lovely person,” Rosa is on the residents’ committee, loves gardening and has a chihuahua called Lucy who’s a hit with residents and receptionists alike.

The contents of More in Store are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of Metlifecare. Opinions expressed in More in Store are not necessarily those of Metlifecare, the publisher or editor. Information contained in More in Store is correct at the time of printing and while all due care and diligence has been taken in the preparation of this magazine, Metlifecare is not responsible for any mistakes, omissions, typographical errors or changes to product and service descriptions over time.

Correction: Mobility Centre, part of Life Unlimited Charitable Trust, partnered with Kapiti Coast District Council to provide a mobility scooter training session at Kapiti Village (Summer 2019/20 – ‘Hot Wheels’). Thank you to all involved.

Bruce Page of Mobility Centre helps Kapiti Village’s Alan Brown around the obstacle course.

Artist impression of Fairway Gardens

6 MORE IN STORE | Autumn 2020 metlifecare.co.nz 7

OPENING NIGHTGulf Rise’s beautiful garden pavilion came to life

with more than 80 residents, prospective residents, staff and guests coming together for the official opening recently. Four-piece brass quartet Toppee Flat performed at the event

courtesy of Metlifecare’s partnership with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

Metlifecare is a proud sponsor of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. Metlifecare residents receive 10% off

tickets for APO performances.

A love of beautyOnce a show gardener, Marianne McRae now

pours her time and love into the gardens of Pinesong.

- P R O F I L E -

Marianne McRae, 81, starts her day at 4am with a 30-lap swim. Then she gets outside in the garden.

She’s the visionary and creator behind no fewer than four communal village gardens at Pinesong in West Auckland. Then there’s her own show-stopping garden of brightly coloured blossoms and verdant hanging baskets that showcases her love of flowers and colour.

Before moving to Pinesong, Marianne would spend many a weekend visiting Auckland quarries to choose the right rocks to build drystone walls for her many levelled show garden. At Pinesong, she gardens even more now than she did then.

Plant health is what she aims for.

“I put the strong health of my plants and blooms down to regular top-ups with compost, quite a bit of liquid blood and bone and various other fertilisers. Any plant that doesn’t perform is tossed out.”

With a love of flowers and colour and making things more beautiful, gardening, for Marianne, has many benefits.

“I can’t stop it,” she admits. “I love the physical side, but most of all I love being outside alone with my thoughts and working to create something of beauty, something that others may enjoy, too.”

Her favourite flower? Blue Geranium Rozanne. “It’s the simplicity of the blooms and the beautiful blue-mauve colour. It’s always in flower so it’s a perfect ground cover in a sunny position.”

AIN’T IT ROSY?Hillsborough Heights village has a rose

theme going on in its gardens.

“We are blessed to have passionate rose experts among our residents,” explains village manager

Penny Smith. “We also have a fantastic number of allotments and a wonderful volunteer gardening

group who work and socialise together and coordinate with our gardening team to help with

pruning, dead heading and whatever works between their schedule and our needs of the day.”

AT THE TOUCH OF A BUTTON A button to access Metlifecare’s wellbeing hub ‘At My Best’ has now been added to ecare kiosks at

every village, making it easier for residents to access. ‘At my Best’ is a source of personalised information

and communications surrounding health and wellbeing, including direct access to expert advice. ecare kiosks also allow residents to independently monitor their blood pressure and weight on-site, a

resource that came in handy recently.“We had a resident who had a bit of a turn in our

dining room. Dizzy, pale, blurred vision. I asked her if her blood pressure may be low. We took her reading on the ecare machine and were able to contact her

doctor with the reading. She was very thankful we had such a great resource available.”

- Metlifecare village manager

YOUNG RECRUITLooks like Metlifecare’s marketing

department has found the next member of the team! Sophie Peskett, 9, whipped up this

outstanding artwork. Sophie is the daughter of Metlifecare’s

general manager corporate services Andrew Peskett.


- N E W S -

Green thingsHow our villages are taking care of our planet

Is your village doing great green things? Let us know at [email protected]

RAT TRAP BOYSCommunity Waitakere approached Waitakere Gardens residents

Barry Grossi and Dave Dobbyn to build rat trap boxes for Wild about Te Atatu, an initiative that aims to increase awareness of the

biodiversity of Te Atatu Peninsula – and the threats facing it. With the overall aim of one day ridding the Peninsula of pests and bringing back bird life, Barry and Dave spent 13 hours over three

days making 26 rat traps for the local community to trap rats in their own backyard. The boxes make the traps safe for children and pets.

And more supplies are on their way so they can keep building!

SUSTAINABLE CLOTHING INITIATIVE FOR CHARITYA sustainable fundraising initiative led by residents at Pinesong raised almost $4,000 for St John Ambulance. The initiative – a used clothing store N2U’, shorthand for New 2 You, was led by resident Jean Piper who says the organising committee of ten residents were delighted by how residents got behind their idea for the used clothing store. “We had a great response from the residents who supported the store. The donations of clothing and accessories came flooding in. We set up our little shop, we take turns running it, and we run specials. Since we got it going, it’s taken off.”

NO MORE POLYSTYRENE

Metlifecare villages use around a million napkins and 75,000 sandwich and meal containers

every year. Now, that packaging will be friendlier for the environment, with compostable Biopak paper and sugarcane alternatives replacing polystyrene and

plastic straws, cups and containers. The roll out will

be completed by Easter. “Our residents are

expressing a real desire to be environmentally

conscientious to help leave the planet a better place

for the next generations,” explained operations

manager Gareth Carden. “We are often challenged to reduce waste and find

better ways. Our suppliers and technology offer

options that are better for our environment;

it is our responsibility to utilise them.”

ECO WORKSHOP Kapiti Village has held its first- ever Eco Workshop for nearly 40 residents and staff. “Our eco-warriors came ready with ideas - from predator control to worm farms, from composting to water conservation, from planting for bio-diversity to battery disposal,” explained resident chairperson Carolyn Lane. “Some projects require more resources or investigation - like returning to glass milk bottles and getting deliveries to the door; others are ready to roll. And there’s still a heap of ideas to pick up once we’ve ticked those ones off. We’re not just leaving it up to the kids!”

BIT OF A BUZZGulf Rise is planting to attract bees! The initiative is part of the village’s overarching wellness and sustainability philosophy, which also includes organic pest management strategies. “We wish to impact our environment as little as possible,” explained village manager Jarrod Shearer. “With our developing butterfly walk and bee-friendly planting we’re keen to create an environment to support the insects we all need.”Gulf Rise residents Di and Paul Smedley have leaf cutter bees sent to them by mail order. The bees don’t make honey or sting, but do a wonderful job pollinating the village’s flowering gardens. “And by going organic with our sprays we won’t harm these very helpful bee friends of ours,” Jarrod says. Next up? Village beehives and Gulf Rise honey – watch this space.

metlifecare.co.nz 11

Greenwich Gardens in north AucklandA nything with ‘Gardens’ in its name

evokes images of lush foliage and verdant tranquillity, but garden means

something very different to each of these four Metlifecare villages.

At Forest Lake Gardens in Hamilton, Waitakere Gardens in west Auckland, Dannemora Gardens in east Auckland, and Greenwich Gardens in north Auckland, both the professional gardeners and the residents alike are enthusiastic about their greenery. And while they’re all happy to get stuck in and get their green thumbs dirty, each garden is at a different level of maturity and has a different focus, with equally bountiful results.

Waitakere Gardens is well-established with a reputation as an eco-village, where residents and management share a vision for a sustainable environmental community.

Margaret Bol moved in 12 years ago as a young resident when she was still working as a school

teacher. Now 75 and retired, she has even more time to give to the village’s eco-vision.

“There was a group of enthusiasts who set up the composting and got funding from the council for worm farms and more. These days, there’s a small core of us who enjoy working in the garden and are carrying on their legacy.

“I’m busy at the moment getting the composting programme up and going again after the previous resident reluctantly gave it up due to age. She was 90.

“A capable resident moved in and took over the hydroponics. Another, Johanna, works two hours each day in the garden, and the son and daughter-in-law of another resident have brought their beehives in, and bee-friendly flowers have been planted for them.

“One lady picks flowers once a week and makes up posies, which residents can buy for a gold coin donation.”

Margaret’s enthusiasm, coupled with her bent for organisation, has her involved in more than the obvious ways.

“A while back it occurred to me that if anything happened to the two people who ran the worm farm, we wouldn’t have a clue what to do, so I wrote a manual, which is currently filed with management, and we did the same for the hydroponics operation.

“My goal is to honour all those residents who worked so hard in the past to establish the eco village, and it’s something I believe in.”

At the other end of the scale, Greenwich Gardens village in Unsworth Heights still has homes being built and landscaping yet to be done. Resident Jan Knight says the village’s quintessentially English

name conjures up visions of beautifully manicured perfection with abundant borders of frothy pastel blooms. However, this is not the case, nor, she says, is it what the residents really want.

“English formality doesn’t work for New Zealand,” she says. “There’s a stream just outside the village, surrounded by native plants, which they’ve done a fabulous job with.”

This appeals to Jan as she’s a conservationist, but there are also many residents who are simply keen gardeners.

“A lot of residents in the villas have beautiful gardens that they’ve put in. Those of us in apartments have decks we can grow things on, although the wind can make it tricky to grow anything other than succulents!”


What’s in a name?At the four Metlifecare villages with ‘Gardens’ in their name,

green-fingered residents love their lush surrounds and relish the opportunity to pull weeds and grow veggies.

- F E AT U R E -

Growing vegetables is popular with residents like Rae Brownlee from Waitakere Gardens.


What all these garden villages have in common is thriving vegetable gardens and fruit trees. Residents can grow, harvest and share produce.

For those living in apartments, communal veggie gardens allow them to grow more than what they can in pots on their decks.

“We have a waiting list for our communal vegetable gardens,” says Steve Cantor from Bark, the landscaping company that cares for the gardens in a number of Metlifecare villages around the country.

Steve works at Forest Lake Gardens in Hamilton and says the garden there has changed over time.

“It’s softer now. More human and less corporate,” he says. “When choosing plants, we focus on use and getting good value from each plant – whether it’s the shape of the plant, autumn colour, flowers, or fruit – we want the plants to do more than one thing.

“Our policy at Bark is not to maintain gardens, but to progress them and make them better,” he says.

“We are removing lawns to plant more shrubs and trees. We want to create a pleasant oasis,

When choosing plants, we focus on use and getting good value from each plant –

we want the plants to do more than one thing.


a sanctuary that is lush and calm. When we took over the landscaping at Forest Lake Gardens, the trees were all ‘lolly-popped’, clipped to a round ball perched on top of the trunk. We are more about natural pruning – it’s just as much work, if not more, but it has a softer effect and is more restful.”

Graham Stratton has been the village gardener at Dannemora Gardens for the past 14 years, and says residents often stop to chat – sometimes about the gardens, more often about other things.

“Many of them have come from homes that had big or lovely gardens, so they are very interested in what I’m doing.

“They love the gardens, but they also love not having to do the work anymore,” he says. “They can certainly help out if they want to, in fact, we have a weeding group, and we have half a dozen veggie plots that residents can use to grow what they like – there have been some good crops of tomatoes this year.”

Dannemora Gardens has evolved in Graham’s time there.

“When I first came, there were a lot of grasses – a lot of green and brown. We’ve brought in a lot more colour over the years.

“We’ve got different areas in the garden to appeal to different tastes. There’s the ferns garden, the magnolia garden, and the memorial garden. At the entrance is a big roundabout with a rockpool that has a waterfall cascading into it, and we have another big water feature in the second atrium.”

A bubbling water feature has replaced the original fountain in the first atrium as it was too noisy.

It may not be obvious, but noise is a factor the gardeners have to take into account.

While deciduous trees provide lovely autumn colour, they’ve had to limit them at Greenwich Gardens as

Owen Priestley, 89, in his garden at Dannemora Gardens. He and his wife

Alison have been at the village since 2002

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Dannemora Gardens village gardener of 14 years, Graham Stratton says residents often stop by for a chat

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Forest Lake Gardens resident Ann Roe enjoying the garden with Steve Cantor


Vote for your favourite Metlifecare garden and be in with a chance to win a $5,000 Mitre 10 gift card, plus daily prizes.

For more garden inspiration and to enter the draw visit metlifecare.co.nz/gardens

Entries close on 3 April 2020. Further terms and conditions apply, visit metlifecare.co.nz/gardens

a4 RESIZE.indd 1 6/03/20 10:12 AM


some residents dislike the noise leaf blowers make, Jan explains.

“Everyone has different likes and dislikes – some people felt the native trees are ‘too green’, so we got flowers, which others said were ‘too bright’. It’s impossible to please everyone,” she says with a laugh. “Nevertheless, we’ve been asked what we’d like to see growing in the new gardens they’re planning, which is great.

“It’s good to be listened to, and we have good support from management. There’s probably a handful of very keen gardeners

living here, and management told us ‘you have probably forgotten more about gardening than we even know; so off you go. Just be careful with the secateurs!’”

Steve loves to see the residents getting stuck in.

“It’s great to engage with nature, it gets you back in touch with the seasons. It’s great exercise too – you’re walking and lifting and twisting. And what makes it better than an exercise class is that, when you’re done, you get the added reward of being able to sit back and enjoy your handiwork.”

A SPECIAL KIND OF GREEN:

FAIRWAY GARDENS Currently being developed in East Auckland, Fairway

Gardens will be Metlifecare’s fifth village to proudly carry the

‘Gardens’ name. The unique site on Pakuranga Golf Course

will have no hard boundaries separating the village green from the 18-hole golf course. Careful

design and planning ensures sweeping views over the greens

and down the fairways.

The announcement of the name, Fairway Gardens, followed a

community information event held at the golf course in mid 2019. Metlifecare shared the masterplan and architectural concept design, followed by a feedback session on name,

design and layout.

“The name reflects the village’s seamless integration with the golf

course and the expansive views across the green,” said CEO Glen Sowry. “It was fantastic to involve

the community in the process, which showed a clear desire for

the unique location and facilities to inform its identity.”

Artist impression of Fairway Gardens

When you’re done, you get the added reward of being able to sit back and enjoy your handiwork.


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Planting love into the land

John and Bunny Mortimer gifted a flourishing 50-acre arboretum to the city of Hamilton.

Bunny and John Mortimer were a nature-loving couple that wanted to make a difference through planting. The two met while John

was on leave from the British Colonial service. They married in 1957 and, in 1972, put their mutual love of plants to work transforming Bunny’s family land of 50-acres into a flourishing landscape.

Bunny and John spent 27 years migrating more than 1,500 types of plants from across New Zealand and the world. They planted with a loose plan, whatever took their fancy, with a joint goal of attracting more birds and bees and hosting happier livestock. It was a recipe for a beautifully diverse arboretum – now known as Taitua Arboretum.

With their joint knowledge as dendrologists* and co-authors for books about trees, the pair transformed the land into one of Hamilton’s prized possessions. After 16 years, they were over the moon to hear a tui within their trees. Public access began earlier in the arboretum’s life, and John and Bunny hosted open days for the community to come and experience their hard work. In 1997 they made the decision to gift the land and their decades of hard work to the city of Hamilton.

“We have a very large family and we couldn’t spilt the property fairly. My husband suggested we give it to Hamilton,” said Bunny.

The couple recognised that Hamilton had given them so much over the years so it made sense to give something back. The Taitua Arboretum has been open to the public since 2004, and attracts more than 100,000 people every year. It has since been awarded a certificate of excellence on TripAdvisor and has a 4.5/5 star rating.

John sadly passed away in 2018 but has left behind a wonderful legacy. Bunny is enjoying life with her friends at Forest Lake Gardens.

Bunny said she is beyond happy with how their gift to Hamilton is stilll being cherished in 2020. “I am absolutely delighted because when I go out there it’s so rewarding to see so many people enjoying it. There are people walking and running and people are making the most of it.”

*Dendrology is the science and study of wooded plants and their taxonomic classifications.


Bunny and her late husband John Mortimer at Taitua

Arboretum near Hamilton

- L E G A C Y -


Growing social spacesLandscape architects Boffa Miskell have designed many of the outdoor

spaces at Metlifecare villages. Their aim? Creating beautiful, practical spaces for residents to own and enjoy

- E X P E R T V I E W -

C reating a community is about building connections. Along with residential facilities and a network of streets, paths and lanes,

thoughtful planting and considered outdoor amenities create a chain of inviting spaces with a social heart.

In addition to colourful flower beds and shaded outdoor seating areas, spaces for entertaining, sports and hands-on gardening are all an integral part of a vibrant village.

“Gardens and outdoor spaces are very important,”

says Jarrod Shearer, village manager at Gulf Rise on Auckland’s North Shore. “How the village looks is important to residents, because this is their new home, and everyone wants to feel proud of their home. Opportunities for activity, and socialising, and just the overall sense of wellbeing that being outdoors provides makes a real difference in residents’ day-to-day lives.”

At Gulf Rise, the landscape design provides for numerous connected outdoor spaces including a social garden, butterfly walk, production gardens, glass house and pavilions and outdoor dining areas.

Active recreation includes a bowling green and petanque court; there are also sensory gardens, and private garden spaces attached to residences.

“Senior living communities used to have formal hedges and structured flower beds, and a vibe that was very much ‘look-but-don’t-touch’. Now, outdoor spaces are treated as community assets - they’re there to be used, and residents are encouraged to be involved,” says Peter Whiting, landscape architect with Boffa Miskell.

Peter has been on the design team for several Metlifecare communities, including Gulf Rise and Fairway Gardens, Metlifecare’s newest village in East Auckland, which is currently under construction.

“There’s a huge variety of plant species used throughout any community,” he continues. “At Gulf Rise, for example, there are more than ten distinct planting schemes – because what’s appropriate for a shady, low-maintenance terrace garden isn’t what you’d want in the cut flower garden, or to attract bees and butterflies in the water garden and spring walk features.”

Thanks to an appropriate mix of native trees and flowering plants, bees and butterflies abound at Gulf Rise, both along the internal walkways and on a perimeter slope. In fact, Jarrod says that he’d like to investigate whether beehives could be installed under the trees. “Wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could make our own organic honey for use in the café, and for residents?”

With an eye toward sustainability and organic produce, vegetable gardens are a popular feature, as they enable residents to continue their passion for hands-on gardening. Katie Worthy, village manager at The Poynton in Takapuna, says, “We have allotted vegetable patches for the residents’

The fishpond at The Poynton, Takapuna, is a popular

attraction for grandkids

Planting for butterflies, Gulf Rise

Bees and butterflies at Gulf Rise

Gulf Rise planter boxes - watch this space

Senior living communities used to have formal hedges and structured flower beds,

and a vibe that was very much ‘look-but-don’t touch’.

Now, outdoor spaces are treated as community assets – they’re there to be used,

and residents are encouraged to be involved.

Peter Whiting


own use, and many donate any surplus produce to the community chef.”

At Gulf Rise, raised garden beds are centred around a glass house and outdoor dining pavilion. Jarrod says “The area around the pavilion has the most social activity these days. We hold many of our community events there, and it’s a popular spot with visitors, too.”

Peter Whiting says incorporating ways to get outdoors and enjoy nature, especially with young visitors, is one of the main considerations in putting together the overall landscape design for a new community. Pre-schoolers love butterfly walks and fishponds; while a bowling lawn or a putting green can be used by multiple generations.

The fishpond at The Poynton is a very popular attraction.

“Children know that when they visit Nana and Poppa they can come to reception and ask for fish food,” says Katie. “The fishpond is within the rose garden, so there’s lots of seating and it’s a really lovely place to be.”

Lawn bowls and croquet encourage physical activity and bring residents together, whether playing or as

spectators. The Poynton has resident convenors for the various sports. The volunteers organise friendly casual

games, in-house competitions, and a ‘travelling league’ who compete against

other retirement communities.

“You’ll see people playing petanque or on the putting green early in the morning, and the activity continues throughout the day and well into the evening,” says Katie. “Croquet and lawn bowls competitions are a lot of fun for everyone.”

“Retirement villages are so rewarding to design, because we’re creating spaces for people to enjoy, and take ownership of,” says Peter. “We’re continually learning from the feedback we get from residents and staff; and it’s an ongoing evolution.”

Jarrod Shearer agrees. “I’ve managed a few retirement villages, and this one actually lives up to the brochure… in fact, I think it’s even better. It’s obvious that there’s been a great deal of thought behind the design, and care taken to accommodate and anticipate what residents want. It looks beautiful; and living in it is just fantastic.”

STAN’S WALK A pretty path reclaimed from urban bush is the hidden secret of Crestwood, in New Lynn.

Stan’s Walk is named for Stan Eliot, the ‘quiet, charming’ resident whose vision for a village bushwalk brought together the local west-Auckland community to create a meandering, half-kilometre, native-lined path that runs between the village and Titirangi Golf Club.

Stan, a former farmer, rallied residents, the local scout group and the Council to work on the year-long project to reclaim

impenetrable, debris-filled scrub, remove felled logs and develop a usable, attractive path for residents. Stan’s Walk was officially opened in 1988.

For many years the pathway was maintained by village gardeners, but eventually became neglected and overgrown – until it was re-discovered by Bet Mitchell, Crestwood’s resident chairperson, as she was out walking.

“Looking around I could see that Stan’s Walk was still there; it just needed a bit of TLC,” Bet said. “So, armed with loppers,

Stan and residents on opening day, 1988

Stan Eliot cuts the ribbon to open Stan’s

Walk at Crestwood, 1988

Croquet at The Poynton brings residents together Pathways at The Poynton

Willing hands As these projects show, wonderful things happen when residents

take the lead in transforming their village spaces.


(that appeal to hungry ducks), a bubbling stream through the bush, and eight much-loved goldfish.

“We are now reaping the rewards of work started more than a decade ago,” Pam says. “Sitting in one of the gazebos, watching the birds, talking to residents or staff passing through and absorbing the peace of this special area is the highlight of my week.”

THE DELL Kapiti Village residents have transformed an area of green waste into a nursery for native trees.

In 2017, a group of hard-working residents saw the opportunity to turn a dumping ground for cuttings, felled trees and grass clippings into something beautiful and useful.

Former resident chairperson Kert Snater, his friend Harold Timmins, and others had a vision of a place

secateurs and rake, I spent a very happy two weeks touching it up.”

Bet has since recruited the Crestwood ‘Bushwhackers’, residents who meet regularly, armed with rakes and spades, to keep the paths clean of leaves and debris and cut back the overgrowth. They’ve replaced rotten seating and rejuvenated The Glade – a shaded area for gatherings.

“After a lifetime of working in jobs that I didn’t particularly like, I came here and found myself doing stuff that I really enjoy,” Bet said. “I know that what I do is giving pleasure to other people and making their lives more enjoyable. My hope is that we can keep this going so it’s always ready for the next resident to enjoy.”

BUSHWALK AND WEIR The creation of Pinesong’s pond, Titirangi.

When Pam and Graeme Choat moved into Pinesong in 2007 they discovered the walkways through the bush and around the reservoir at the bottom of the village were in need of some TLC. Armed with garden tools, a borrowed wheelbarrow and a supply of 200 litre garden bags, their journey began – hauling out broken branches, eight-foot high bracken and gorse. At 100 bags, they realised they would need to focus their attention on a smaller area.

Meantime, resident Wally Martin had a vision to transform what was then a drain – dry in summer and smelly mud in winter – into a flowing stream.

It was no minor thing. A grant from the residents’ committee allowed a team of volunteers to purchase tools, hoses and plants. A resident donated a garden shed.

They needed a pump and water pipes to transport water from the main lake. Two residents dragged the pipes up through 50 metres of flax and bush; others pulled on ropes to reposition them.

“We were in the mud slipping, sliding, grunting and heaving, but we did it,” explained resident Aileen Keery. “When we saw that urn and fountain working it was a miracle!”

Today, the resident-built pond features a fountain, water lilies

BET

MITCHELL, CRESTW

OO

D

Pinesong residents Pam and Aileen at the pond

Potting Shed’ was unveiled on Arbor Day, 2019; residents planted shrubs to mark the occasion.

Now, ten residents turn up every Monday to maintain what has been renamed The Dell, an area used for gatherings and social occasions. Around 400 seedlings are being nurtured for next year’s planting, hothouses are in place, and a ‘memory lane’ of residents’ donated objects and garden ornaments is underway.

“It is such a unique area of tranquillity and birdlife,” Kert said. “A haven within paradise. We work so hard, so sometimes we come here and we don’t work at all.”

QUAIL TRAIL Tui, woodpigeons and quails share this village trail with the residents of Greenwood Park in Tauranga.

A wet and boggy area overgrown by rampant nettles, gorse, scrub and blackberries is now a kilometre-long trail of native trees, wetlands, and even a natural amphitheatre, bordering Greenwood Park village in Tauranga.

THANK YOU, DAVID David Wilson recently retired after working at Greenwood Park Village since it opened in 1986. Residents and staff

turned out en masse to farewell him.

for ‘eco-planting’ – where residents would grow and sustain native plants and saplings to use throughout the village. First step was to clear the area known as the Ballingers Memorial – named after the original owners of the village. They set to work organising resident working bees to cut scrub, remove trailer-loads of rubbish, and level the area.

They laid six truckloads of mulch, lined borders with river boulders donated by the local Raumati bowling club, and grew kowhai and other natives from seed to plant along walkways. After more than two years of work, ‘The

Left: Quail Trail map. Below: Greenwood Park’s Quail Trail (the quails are hiding!)

For the village’s garden manager of 34 years, David Wilson, watching the project he instigated come to life for residents brings immense pride.

“It’s a real asset for the village. Residents who wants to go for a bush walk don’t have to get in their car and drive - it’s on their doorstep. They’re thankful to have it – we get told that constantly.”

David and his team spent two years cutting, burning and spraying the area before starting a programme of native planting that now attracts tui, pukeko, woodpigeons - and the eponymous quails. A resident sets out rat bait and possum traps to ensure birds are safe from predators.

Residents Jenny and Les Gallyer have since built the subsidiary Quail Loop, transforming a natural spring into a forest pond. At one point, there is a large, natural amphitheatre known as The Basin, planted in exotic trees, some 15-20m tall – a mini arboretum.

A wooden seat has been nicknamed ‘Vant-age Point’ after former resident Mr Vant who regularly visited the trail with transistor radio, thermos and stool to plant edible and ornamental plants - a magnificent Copper Beech tree, a maple and a fig are now testament to his work.


Kert Snater, Kapiti Village

SARAH KENNEDY Registered nurse, Powley Sarah Kennedy started her career as a caregiver, then went on to study nursing – not before

experiencing a flood of self-doubt.

“I nearly withdrew my application to study nursing as I didn’t think I could do it,” she said. “My mum came to the rescue and convinced me to just give it a go.”

Following her nursing studies, Sarah completed a graduate year in mental health nursing in acute settings, before finding her way back to Powley as a registered nurse.

This year, she’s planning to pursue a postgraduate diploma in advanced nursing, specialising in gerontology.

She is particularly interested in exploring mental health in older adults, as a result of her experiences on the front line of palliative care. Outside of work, she is currently learning the Ethiopian language of Amharic, after befriending two Ethiopian caregivers working at Powley who introduced her to their community.

“We live in a society with an aging population, which requires a workforce of nurses who are passionate and dedicated to caring for the elderly,” she said. “Nursing in an aged care setting provides unique and interesting challenges and should be seen as just as valuable as nursing in other settings such as surgical or medical.”

The World Health Organisation has designated 2020 International Year of the Nurse in honour of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence

Nightingale and to recognise the work of nurses around the world. At Metlifecare we have more than 100 wonderful nurses who enhance

the lives of our residents. We talked to three of them.


POLLY DELFIM Nurse manager, Papamoa Beach Village Born and raised in Timóteo, Brazil, Polly completed her Bachelor of Nursing in 2004 in Belo Horizonte,

the capital of Minas Gerais state. In New Zealand she rose quickly through the ranks of nursing.

“When I first came to New Zealand, I thought that working as a registered nurse in a second language was an achievement; I never aspired to be more than that,” she says. “I don’t mean to imply that I don’t have aspirations – in fact, quite the opposite. But what I really aim to do is always give 100 percent to every job I do.”

And she does. Polly is passionate about providing care for residents – and those closest to them.

“We tend to focus a lot on the relationship and bond we form with residents in our care, but often take for granted the bond we create with

the families of the residents we admit,” she said. “They are often under a lot of stress, and should also be ‘nursed’, mostly in the initial stages leading to admission and the first few weeks after admission.

“I also like to remind my colleagues that we work at the residents’ homes, rather than residents living where we work. We must understand this is their home and treat it like so – they will guide us as to how they would like to be cared for,” she said.

Every day is a highlight. From the moment I put my uniform on, to the first resident that I see for the day,

to the last.

TRUDY ANDERSON Senior registered nurse, Papamoa Beach Village Trudy grew up playing at being a nurse, before realising she actually wanted to be one.

What parts of aged care nursing do you love? Aged care is my thing. I love the residents I care for, and I like that by doing my job well I can make a big difference to their quality of life. I am humbled by their generosity of spirit, the fact that they accept their lives are now dependent on carers, and they are gracious in this acceptance. The fact that despite needing the most intimate care they are thankful for everything that is done for them.

What are the skills needed? A good medical knowledge is essential – being able to assess a resident holistically, develop plans of care around individuals, listen well and follow resident and family needs.

Understanding medications and their effects on older people, including medications that can be used to keep people comfortable, so you can advocate for residents with medical professionals. And, of course, the basics - empathy, kindness, time management and being able to lead a care team.

What’s a highlight of your time as a nurse? Every day is a highlight. From the moment I put my uniform on, to the first resident that I see for the day to the last. It’s the smile on their faces when I walk in. The highlight is making a difference in their lives big or small, they are my highlight, my job satisfaction. To be able to help them and their families at this stage of their lives is very rewarding.


A meaningful moveRichard Callander, General Manager Operations at Metlifecare, discusses the

challenges and rewards of a career in the retirement village industry.

- P R O F I L E -

A fter 15 years working in the casino industry, it may seem a sharp

U-turn for someone to opt for a career in the retirement industry. But that’s what Metlifecare’s General Manager Operations Richard Callander did, finding it a refreshing change of pace from his previous role at Sky City, one filled with fresh challenges… and heart-warming rewards. “It’s a more meaningful way to spend your time, especially with regards to our care homes,” he says.

Overseeing all the operational components of Metlifecare is a big task, considering the size and unique differences of 25 villages.

Looking at the entire customer journey has allowed Richard and Metlifecare staff to refine retirement village living from the top down, and he’s particularly excited about what they’ve accomplished as well as what they’re yet to achieve. “I like the fact that we’re growing. We’re building new villages. We’ve got

the opportunity to really innovate and try new things, as well as make sure our existing villages are running as smoothly and happily as possible.”

Providing each new and existing resident with positive experiences is crucial to Metlifecare’s business model, considering many houses sold are by referral. “If you’re having a great time in this village and you feel like what is a very significant investment was a Ph

oto

by M

ark S

mith

CARING FOR OUR GARDENS AND

GROUNDS Every year, Metlifecare’s

resident satisfaction survey tells us how important

beautiful, useful and well-maintained gardens are to

resident wellbeing.

One of the six domains of wellbeing is occupational

wellbeing – getting into the garden provides meaning

and purpose.

Under Richard’s watch, Metlifecare has outsourced the development and maintenance

of many Metlifecare village gardens to grounds care

specialists, Bark. They go above and beyond to keep residents

involved in the process, he says.

“It may seem counter intuitive to outsource such

an important aspect of villages, but in Bark we’ve

found a specialist who is really aligned with what we want to achieve,” he says. “They share our values for why gardens are

important and they interact really well with residents that

want to get involved.”

good investment, you’ll tell your friends and family. So creating enriching experiences for residents is also good business.”

Richard is acutely aware that for many residents, moving into a retirement village can be an emotional time. Leaving behind the family home and traditions is often followed by a period of adjustment to village life. “We’re very conscious of that and we focus very hard on that new resident experience and how we personalise it to each individual.”

This is where casino experience comes in handy. Richard used a similar approach to managing VIPs during his casino career, choosing to treat every resident like a premium customer deserving of a unique journey. But with residents staying for years, rather than just a few days, there’s a need for every aspect of village life to feel premium - from the range of activities on offer, to staff quality, to the food in the café, some of which is grown on site in resident vegetable gardens.

This level of care also extends to staff, who, Richard acknowledges, perform difficult tasks that can take a toll emotionally and physically. “I’m very conscious of that. A big part of my role is to do whatever I can to make it easier for our staff to do their job, which in turn plays an important role in resident satisfaction.” Richard has dedicated himself to providing the right environment and support for staff, as well as improved leadership development opportunities, which has achieved some impressive results: resident

satisfaction with staff sits at 97 per cent.

While there’s no shortage of challenges in his role, Richard feels proud to be providing a great service for New Zealand’s older population. “What’s great about this job is that we are helping our older people live the best life they can live. It’s a rewarding thing to do.”

He’s proud to say that once residents settle into a village, the feedback he receives is overwhelmingly positive. “Many look back and go ‘Wow, I didn’t realise how much stress the house was putting me under,’ for example. They love the activities and the socialising and the community aspect of village life.”

Richard’s genuine interest in keeping staff engaged and residents connected is warming to hear – and unsurprising when he excitedly discusses the many wonderful people he’s met at each village. One in particular, left an impression after Richard noticed she had gone through a leg amputation.

“I went up to her and I asked how she was coping. She said, ‘Oh, you know, don’t worry about me. I’m so blessed to be in this place and they’re looking after me… I’m just so lucky that I’m here.”

That perspective, he said, was incredibly moving.

“I just was so blown away at her attitude to the difficulties in her life. It certainly helps me keep things in their proper perspective.”

Forest Lake gardens resident Ann Roe with Bark gardener Steve Cantor.


O akridge Villas, as far as the residents are concerned, is situated in exactly the

right place. It sits in Kerikeri in the beautiful Bay of Islands - or ‘the Winterless North’ - as those who live south often call our region.

(That isn’t exactly true – we do have the odd frost in winter! And lots of rain.)

We have Paihia, the iconic Waitangi Treaty grounds, and Russell, once known as the Hellhole of the Pacific.

Drive into Paihia in the summer and often the first thing you see is a cruise ship. Closer to the village is the Stone Store and Kemp House. History on our doorstep. Walking trails and biking trails if you enjoy the outdoor life. We are so lucky to live here.

From our village we can walk to town as it’s just a stone’s throw away, but far enough not to bother us too much. Cinema, doctor, domain, all close by. The theatre is next door. How handy is that?

But the best things about our village are the people and their talents. When you live in a retirement village someone might show you their knitting, and you admire the new sweater for grandson Vertigo. (Kids’ names these days are pretty weird or cool depending on your point of view. I am in the weird range).

Or maybe you’re having morning tea in a friend’s home and you spy a picture you haven’t seen before. That’s because the friend’s artistic talents have only recently been

Life in the winterless north

Oakridge Villas resident Maggie Randall loves life in the Far North.

- F I R S T-H A N D A C C O U N T -


Kerikeri

sells these on her behalf. It’s pretty good to show a kindness to help a person out of poverty.

Many ‘outsiders’ ask me what my husband and I do to occupy ourselves now that we live in a retirement village. I can honestly tell them that we create, enjoy ourselves and are as busy or as leisurely as we want to be. We holiday and we travel. Same as all of you who are residents in Metlifecare villages, but we are all unique in the way that we come up with fun things to do.

Oakridge Villas is a busy place, a quiet place, a pleasant place and a friendly place. One place for all.

put to good use. If this happens to you, some advice: do not ask what the painting is supposed to be!

A couple of months ago, Marian, our residents committee chairperson, had the idea of showcasing residents’ talents and arranged a ‘show day’ in the pavilion. It was renamed ‘Arts and Crafts’ (more fitting and less boastful to those who are shy).

Wow! Were we blown away? I for one had no idea that our village was full of such talented people. Tables full of beautiful things created by residents.

For instance, a beautiful wooden Noah’s Ark complete with wooden animals caught the eye. It was made by Gaynor and Rusty Branford. They weren’t happy with the prototype and started all over again. Perfection is to be admired.

On display were lots of paintings

on all sorts of subjects, colourful, light, dark, something to suit all moods. Knitting seems a rather bland general description of the things our residents produced. Intricate patterns, hats, baby clothes and those lovely ruffle scarves, which always look a bit like boas and seem rather decadent, too. A modern reminder of a bygone age and popular once more. Embroidery, beautifully and carefully executed stitching of lovely pieces - and then there was the sewing.

Wooden pens for sale. Ceramics in all sizes, glossy pieces which would look wonderful in anyone’s home. And toys. Cloth toys and knitted toys. Books written by residents. It certainly was an eye opener of a day.

There was a stall with articles for sale not made at Oakridge but by a lady in Africa. One of our residents, Winsome Fisher

Opposite page: view of the ocean shore at the east side of Northland. This page, left: crafts by clever Oakridge Villas residents; Gaynor and Rusty Branford’s Noah’s Ark; resident Maggie Randall.


A light-hearted glance at getting a

little bit olderPinesong resident Vern Walker on the pleasures and perils of ageing.

- F I R S T-H A N D A C C O U N T -

We are definitely getting older when we start purchasing bereavement cards in bulk. When our children start looking

middle-aged. When a young grandson asks, “Opa, are you getting old? You have spots on your face and your teeth are not as white as mine.”

Us oldies are challenged by today’s push-button era. You swear at the TV when it doesn’t switch on - then you discover you’re using the remote for the heat-pump. I go to the ATM at the bank and no money appears. Exasperated, I see the teller. She comes to the ATM and declares in a testy voice: “Mr Walker, you’re using your True Rewards card. To withdraw money you must use your Fast Cash card.” How stupid can one be.

As the years rocket by our powers of observation start to wane. A retiree at Pinesong went to the village salon to get a hairdo. She returned to her apartment and waited for a reaction from her husband. After a day or two, she blurts: “Reginald, you used to notice everything about me. Today you’ve ignored me and not noticed my glamorous hairdo. Instead you continue to sit there and watch the All Blacks.” Then to her horror she realised that she too had failed to notice that, after six years, her husband had shaved off his beard.

To the younger ones we must all seem odd-ball, because we were born before ballpoint pens, computers, contact lenses, drip-dry clothes,

penicillin, photocopiers, plastic, supermarkets, TV and yoghurt, and long before mankind left his footprints on the dusty surface of the moon. We were born before the marvels of jet aircraft, and when McDonalds was a clan, not a fast-food chain.

The actors Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman starred in the 2007 film The Bucket List. Immediately, seniors everywhere were grabbing their pencils and creating a long list of things to do before we kick the bucket. Go hot-air ballooning, jog a marathon, bungy jump or write a book of family history. In my view, thanks must go to Jack

and Morgan. At least they’ve given us pensioners something to do, even if we know in our heart of hearts that jogging a marathon is beyond us, and that a stiff shuffle down the aisle of our church is more realistic.

Then there’s the generation gap. A senior citizen went to McDonalds and saw that the menu offered six, nine or 12 chicken nuggets. So the lady asked for half-a-dozen. The youngster behind the counter responded: “We don’t have half-a-dozen nuggets, we have only six, nine or 12 chicken nuggets.” So the order was placed for six nuggets. As these were handed across the counter, the server said helpfully: “Maybe half-a-dozen nuggets are on the menu at Burger King up the road, but McDonalds don’t have half-a-dozen nuggets on our menu.”

Truly a generation gap wider than the Tasman Sea!

Remember that lovely 1965 film The Sound of Music, set in Salzburg? The scene when Julie Andrews is surrounded in bed by the children, and she sings A Few of My Favourite Things. The following is my version of this song:

Walkers, handrails,and wheelchairs help us along

We all come to Pinesong, because we feel we belong

These are a few of our

favourite things We’ve had an interesting life,

don’t feel too badThere’s been more happiness than

times that were sadThese indeed are a few of our

favourite things

There’s a question mark regarding my own future. I’m a bit like a Test batsman. A cricketer who’s survived the fast

ball attack of life. I currently have 82 runs against my name; only 20 runs stand between me and the coveted century. Perhaps a card from the queen, or King Charles or King William - if I stick around long enough.

Of course I may not reach a century at all. But I hope to hit a few sixes, before the Good Lord declares my innings closed.

Pinesong resident Vern Walker

We were born before ballpoint pens, computers, contact lenses, penicillin, plastic,

supermarkets, TV and yoghurt, and long before mankind left his footprints on the dusty surface

of the Moon.


Abouttown

- H A P P E N I N G S -1 2

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6

7 8

5

1. Palmerston North Village’s Verna Thomson gets a Valentines Day

surprise. 2 & 3. Highlands visits to Mission Bay and Crystal Mountain.

4 & 5. Dannemora Gardens residents tour Auckland’s Botanic Gardens and Bill

McNabney’s private toy museum. 6. Coastal Villas celebrates Valentines Day. 7 & 8. Somervale residents enjoyed a visit to scenic Lake Tarawera; resident Pauline

Smeaton takes a splash with social coordinator Vikki Armstrong.

For thelove of food

- H A P P E N I N G S -

1 2

3

5

6

4

A NIGHT IN PARISBayswater residents are travelling the world from the

comfort of their dining chairs.

Always on top of food trends, regional food services manager Santiago Correa came up with the idea of fine dining experiences

for residents. Santiago and chef Tomas are South American so first stop on the tour was Peru, with three courses of authentic

Peruvian delights including Lomo Saltado and Limeno Sigh.

A couple of months later residents travelled to France for ‘A night in Paris’. The city of light’s finest modern cuisine was on

offer at the sellout event, from duck liver pâté with gingerbread crumbs, cardamom-pickled oranges and toasted baguette, to

sous-vide lamb rack with Bordelaise sauce. Where to next?

1. Spit roast rolls in summer, The Poynton. 2. Iris Lamb from Edgewater Village double parks her ice cream.

3. My Food Bag heads to Hillsborough Heights. 4. Papamoa Beach Village residents Derek and Natalie Huxtable

enjoy a quiet drink. 5 & 6. A night in Paris, Bayswater.

- I N S E A S O N -

Heat a little oil in a heavy fry pan and cook in batches over medium heat. Cook until golden brown and cooked through (2-3 minutes each side), adding oil between batches as needed. Serve with avocado salsa.

To make the salsa: Place red onion in a strainer or sieve and rinse under cool water to remove harsh bite. Drain well. Add to a mixing bowl along with diced tomatoes, jalapeños and avocados.

In a separate small mixing bowl whisk together olive oil, lime juice, garlic, salt and pepper until mixture is well blended. Pour oil mix over avocado mixture, add coriander then gently toss mixture to evenly coat.

Quick, easy, colourful


Straight from the kitchen at Papamoa Beach Village, these delicious veggie-filled fritters are

perfect shoulder-season fare.

To make the corn fritters: If corn is raw, cover with boiling water, stand for 3 minutes then drain. Place half the corn in a food processor with eggs and spring onion and blend to a smooth puree. Add chili flakes, curry powder, baking soda, rice flour, salt and pepper and pulse to form a thick batter. Stir in reserved corn.

Tracey’s gluten-free corn fritters with avocado salsa

For the corn fritters: 3 cups fresh corn kernels2 eggs1 spring onion,

finely chopped (green part only)

Pinch of chili flakes½ tsp curry powder½ tsp baking soda½ cup rice flourA pinch of salt and

ground black pepperSunflower oil to fry

For the avocado salsa:1 cup red onion,

chopped 6 medium Roma

tomatoes, seeded and diced

1 large or 2 small jalapeños, seeded and chopped (1/4 cup, leave seeds if you like heat)

3 medium avocados, semi-firm but ripe, peeled, cored and diced

3 Tbsp olive oil3 Tbsp fresh lime juice1 clove garlic, finely

minced1/2 tsp salt1/4 tsp freshly ground

black pepper1/2 cup loosely packed

coriander leaves, chopped

Papamoa Beach Village chef Tracey Edwards

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Planting guideInspired by the gardens in this issue?

Grow your own fruit, veggies and herbs.*

- E D I B L E G A R D E N I N G -

*Ideal planting times may vary by location. Check with your local garden centre if you are unsure.

REFER A FRIENDRECEIVE $2000!

For more information regarding the Refer a Friend programme, please talk to your Sales Executive.

*Promotion ends 30 June 2020. Terms and conditions apply.

Call 0800 909 303 or visit metlifecare.co.nz to learn more about Metlifecare’s 25 fabulous villages.

IF YOUR FRIEND MOVES INTO OUR VILLAGE, YOU’LL EACH RECEIVE $2,000 - CREDITED TO A NOMINATED BANK ACCOUNT.

TO A METLIFECARE VILLAGE AND*

gorgeous gardens - metlifecare

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