Waimea Village is now their ‘happy place’
Waimea Village residents Barry Wilson (left), Joyce Wilson, Vera White, Barb Wylie (rear) and John Hewison beside a statue given to the village when it became a company. Photo: Anne Hardie.
It has been 10 years since Waimea Village residents formed a company and took charge of their village, turning it into their “happy place”.
Most of the 260 residents who live in the 170 homes off Gladstone Rd own shares in the village, which is run by a five-person board, including three non-residents, giving them control of their homes and money.
The company structure followed a long and stressful battle with the former owners, largely about the increasing cost of monthly levies and funding for repairs. It went on for three years and today’s residents say the community support at the time helped them achieve a happy outcome.
Chairman of the village resident’s association, John Hewison, says, the structure works well for residents and could be replicated around the country to provide more affordable homes with the benefits of being part of a small community.
The village is entirely independent living, where residents own their homes and the village owns the land. Residents buy a share in the land – or they can pay a monthly lease.
“One of the beauties is you own your own equity, control your destination and have a choice,” John says.
The majority of the residents are now single, living by themselves, and many have lived in the village for more than 20 years. Anyone can buy a home when one is for sale, and there is more of a mix in the community now, including families with children.
Joyce Wilson says forming a company and buying shares “worked well and achieved heaps”.
“It’s settled and happy now – it is a community. When anyone new moves in, they get a meet and greet, and we get their next of kin details.”
Street wardens keep an eye on those in their street, especially elderly who may need help or when someone is away and wants someone to watch over their home.
It even has the Village Heartbeat – a monthly newsletter that is distributed to all the residents.
The village was built in the 1980s and has been there long enough to become intergenerational. Vera White’s father Charlie Blance lived in the village until he was 94 and was part of a team of residents who built the Blue Heron Lounge at its centre when he was in his 80s. When Vera moved into the village, she could look out her window and see her father’s house.
Residents say the village manager Glyn Cunningham has played a key role in the past few years, ensuring the village runs smoothly.
A monthly levy covers management of the grounds and the lounge, and these days increases in the levy are controlled by the board.
Barb Wylie says it is a “really, really well-run village”.
“It’s my happy place.”