Eldernet

15/09/2026

We’ve loved hearing your thoughts on our latest e-newsletter. Here’s one message that made our day:

“Kia ora Eldernet Group, this email is brill, especially the focus on Māori, plus the other information. It’s made me sit up and be more aware. Kia ora.”

Empowered is our free monthly e-newsletter, sharing practical information, useful resources and stories to help you navigate the choices that come with ageing.

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14/09/2026

When looking at a care suite, the upfront price is only part of the financial picture.

Care suites are usually occupied under an Occupation Right Agreement (ORA), with an upfront capital payment for the right to live in the suite. But there are other costs and commitments to understand too.

Your residential care costs are separate, and there may also be ongoing charges depending on the provider and agreement.

When the suite is vacated, fees such as a Deferred Management Fee may be deducted before the remaining amount is repaid to you or your estate.

With some ORAs, that repayment may not happen until the care suite has been relicensed to a new resident. It’s worth asking how this works and how long care suites at the facility have typically taken to relicense.

The exact structure can vary considerably between providers, so it’s important to understand:
• what the upfront payment covers
• what ongoing charges apply
• what fees are deducted when you leave
• how and when the remaining amount is repaid
• whether repayment depends on the suite being relicensed

Independent legal advice is required before signing an ORA, so make sure you understand the agreement and ask questions about anything that isn’t clear.

12/09/2026

🌱 COMPETITION REMINDER — Show us your favourite patch.

Win a copy of Growing Vegetables by Sarah O’Neil, plus a $50 Mitre 10 voucher.

Here are a few of the entries we’ve received so far — from a favourite tree that has moved gardens twice and residents growing from seed, to a beautiful resident’s deck and a community pumpkin patch haul.

We’d love to see the part of your garden that makes you happy.

To enter, email us:
📷 A photo of your favourite patch
🌿 A sentence or two about why it’s special
📍 Your name and town or region

Send it to [email protected].

Entries close Sunday 27 September.

09/09/2026

What are the potential benefits of a care suite?

For some people, a care suite can offer a more private, spacious and home-like environment while still receiving the residential care they need.

Depending on the provider and the suite, benefits may include;
- more room for your own furniture and belongings
- a full ensuite
- a kitchenette or separate living area
- greater space for family and visitors

Some care suites are large enough for couples with different care needs to remain living together.

There can be financial considerations too. Because care suites are usually occupied under an Occupation Right Agreement rather than paid for through an ongoing daily premium room charge, the overall cost may compare favourably over a longer stay in some circumstances. This will depend on the purchase price, fees, length of stay and the individual agreement.

Care suites won’t suit everyone, and features, costs and terms vary between providers. The important thing is understanding how they work so you can compare your options.

You can take a look at available care suites around New Zealand on Eldernet:
https://www.eldernet.co.nz/residential-care/care-suites

07/09/2026

Thinking about growing your own vegetables this spring? 🌱

To celebrate the start of the gardening season, we spoke with Sarah O’Neil, the Gardener, author of Growing Vegetables, about getting started, growing in smaller spaces, keeping costs down and adapting the garden as we get older.

One thing we especially liked was Sarah’s reminder that gardening doesn’t need to be complicated — and you certainly don’t need a huge garden.

Her advice for beginners? Start with the vegetables you actually like to eat, and don’t be afraid to begin with seedlings rather than seed.

❓ What’s your favourite vegetable to grow? Let us know in the comments. 🥕🍅

She also shares some great practical tips for gardening when bending, kneeling or lifting has become harder, including raised beds, ergonomic tools and taking a “little and often” approach.

Read our interview with Sarah here: https://substack.com/home/post/p-211795248

And don’t forget — our Show Us Your Favourite Patch competition is now open. Send us a photo of your favourite part of the garden and tell us why it’s special to be in to win.

📧 [email protected]
Entries close Sunday 27 September.

Learn about the easiest crops to get started with, the essential equipment you need, what grows well in small spaces, and more.

06/09/2026

Care suites are becoming a more common part of residential care — but they can be confusing if you haven’t come across them before.

They’re still residential care, and the care you receive is based on your assessed needs. What’s different is usually the accommodation itself and the way you pay for it.

In this reel, we break down:
• what a care suite is
• how it differs from a standard or premium room
• how the payment arrangement usually works
• some of the potential benefits

Care suites won’t suit everyone, and features, costs and terms vary between providers. The important thing is understanding how they work so you can compare your options properly.

Learn more about care suites and explore available options around New Zealand on Eldernet:
https://www.eldernet.co.nz/residential-care/care-suites

04/09/2026

🌱 COMPETITION REMINDER — Show us your favourite patch.

Here's my garden in full chaotic bloom, just how I like it. We’d love to see the part of your garden that makes you happy.

It could be a flourishing vegetable patch, a few pots on the patio, a tree in bloom, a local park, or simply a favourite corner where you like to spend time.

And remember — we’re not looking for the biggest or best garden and it doesn’t need to be a current photo.

We want to hear why it matters to you.

To enter, email us:
📷 A photo of your favourite patch
🌿 A sentence or two about why it’s special
📍 Your name and town or region

Send it to [email protected].

You’ll go in the draw to win a copy of Growing Vegetables by Sarah O’Neil, plus a $50 Mitre10 Voucher.

Entries close Sunday 27 September.

02/09/2026

When you’re looking at aged residential care, you may come across a standard room, a premium room or a care suite — but what’s the difference?

With aged residential care under pressure in parts of New Zealand, understanding the different accommodation options available is becoming increasingly important.

Over the next few weeks, we’re taking a closer look at care suites: what they are, how they work, their potential benefits, the costs and commitments involved, and the questions worth asking when comparing your options.

We’re starting with the basics.

While the care you receive is based on your assessed needs, the accommodation itself — and the way you pay for it — can be quite different.

Take a look at our three graphics to see how standard rooms, premium rooms and care suites compare.

There’s no one option that will suit everyone. Understanding the differences can help you know what to look for and what questions to ask.

Learn more about care suites and explore available options around New Zealand on Eldernet:
https://www.eldernet.co.nz/residential-care/care-suites

01/09/2026

🌱 COMPETITION TIME — Show Us Your Favourite Patch!

We’re excited spring is here and the gardens are starting to come back to life. To celebrate, we have a great competition open to everyone.

We want to see your favourite patch — it could be a vegetable garden, a few pots of bedding plants, herbs by the back door, a favourite tree, or simply a corner you love spending time in.

It doesn’t need to be a current photo — it could be from last summer or even a few years ago. And it doesn’t need to be big, perfectly tidy or prize-worthy. We’re much more interested in WHY it’s special to you.

To enter, simply email us:
📷 A photo of your favourite garden or growing spot
🌿 A sentence or two telling us why it’s special
📍 Your name and town or region

Send your entry to [email protected].

You can enter your own garden or, with their permission, enter on behalf of someone else. Retirement villages and care homes are very welcome to get involved too.

All entries will go in the draw to win a copy of Growing Vegetables by Sarah O’Neil/Sarah the Gardener plus a $50 Mitre10 Voucher kindly donated by Mitre 10 MEGA Brougham Street.

By entering, you agree that Eldernet may share your submitted photo and story on our social media and in our newsletters.

Entries close Sunday 27 September. We can’t wait to see your favourite patch this spring.