• New Zealand Regions
      • Hawke's Bay
      • Bay of Plenty
      • Waikato
      • Whanganui
      • Manawatu
      • Northland
      • Auckland
      • Gisborne
      • Taranaki
      • Wellington
      • West Coast
      • Nelson
      • Canterbury
      • Otago
      • Marlborough
      • Southland
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      Hawke's Bay

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      Beaches, wineries and Art Deco. The Hawke's Bay has a diverse economy, including business services that support its sectors to be the second largest contributor to regional GDP in the country. A popular tourist destination, the region has some of the countries best restaurants as well as stunning scenery, markets and festivals.

      Districts

      HastingsNapier

      Bay of Plenty

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      The Bay of Plenty is officially New Zealand's sunniest destination, enjoying short-lived winters and long summer days. The Region offers some of the country's most spectacular views and many ways to enjoy the pristine scenery and natural wonders. Visitors also enjoy exploring the Bay's Māori heritage and pre-European roots.

      Districts

      OpotikiOpotiki iSiteKawerauWhakatane

      Waikato

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      The Waikato is known for its rolling plains, fertile land and the mighty Waikato River. The region is the fourth largest regional economy in New Zealand, with a strong focus on primary production and associated manufacturing.

      Districts

      South WaikatoWaikato District

      Whanganui

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      Welcome to Whanganui. This is our place; where history is full of stories, legends and rich legacy. Where a thriving arts scene, creativity and evolving culture inspire our modern lives. Where breath-taking natural landscapes capture imaginations at every turn.

      Manawatu

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      Located in the lower North Island, Manawatu is heartland New Zealand, offering an authentic Kiwi experience.

      The main in the region are Palmerston North, most notable for Massey University. Palmerston has a vibrant, arts and culture scene.

      The region's economy is based on food production and processing, research and education. The region is also home for the New Zealand defence force.

      Northland

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      Northland was originally home to some of our country's first human inhabitants. Today, it is one of the fastest growing regions in New Zealand and home to nearly 189,000 people. Rich in culture and history, the region boasts a stunning natural environment.

      Auckland

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      Auckland Region stretches from the the beaches of the Pacific Ocean in the east to the expansive beaches of the rugged west coast of the Tasman Sea. Auckland City, the largest urban area in New Zealand is considered the main economic center of New Zealand and a popular destination for international students and travellers.

      Gisborne

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      Gisborne is a Region on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. It's known for wineries and surf beaches such as Makorori. The region has maintained a strong Maori heritage. The region's economy is made up mainly of agriculture, horticulture and forestry.

      Taranaki

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      Taranaki is a coastal and mountainous region on the western side of New Zealand's North Island. Its landscape is dominated by Mount Taranaki, its namesake volcano, which lies within the rainforested Egmont National Park.

      The port city of New Plymouth is the area's cultural and commercial hub. Taranaki's economy is diverse and includes dairy, oil and gas. The region is the highest contributor or national GDP per capita. 

      Wellington

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      The Wellington Region covers Wellington city in the south, Upper and Lower Hutt valleys to the north-east, and Porirua to the north-west. The region takes its name from Wellington, New Zealand's capital city.

      Wellington is famous for its arts and culture scene and is also the centre of New Zealand's film industry.

      West Coast

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      The West Coast, or as some locals call it, the "Wild West", is a long thin region that runs down the South Island's west coast.

      The region has the lowest population in all of New Zealand. It is famous for its rugged natural scenery such as the Pancake Rocks, the Blue Pools of Haast, and the glaciers.

      The main industries in the region are dairy farming and mining. Tourism also plays an important role.

      Nelson – Tasman

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      Nelson Tasman is an extraordinary, vibrant region where art and businesses thrive together among a stunning natural landscape. With one in five people internationally born, Nelson Tasman has 48 different cultures living in its environs.

      The region prides its self on being New Zealand’s leading Research and Development areas, with the highest proportion of people working in the research, science and tech sectors out of anywhere in New Zealand.

      Canterbury

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      Canterbury is a region on New Zealand’s South Island marked by grassy plains, clear lakes and snow-capped mountains. Its largest city, Christchurch, is famed for its art scene and green spaces.

      Otago

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      There are few places in the world which will leave you with a lasting sense of difference. Central Otago is undoubtedly one of them from its landscapes, its seasons, its people, its products and experiences.

      Marlborough

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      Marlborough Region is on the north-eastern corner of the South Island. The region is well known for its winemaking industry, and the Marlborough Sounds, an extensive network of coastal waterways, peninsulas and islands.

      Apart from the wine industry, aquaculture, agriculture and tourism play an important role in the local economy.

      Southland

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      Southland is New Zealand’s most southerly region and includes the World Heritage ranked Fiordland National Park.

      The region's only city Invercargill offers a relaxed pace of life with wide streets, little traffic, spacious parks and gardens, striking Victorian and Edwardian architecture and impressive sporting facilities including New Zealand’s first indoor velodrome. Southland's location is such that views of Aurora Australis or the Southern Lights are common.

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Age Care

When you can no longer manage in your own home, you can move into a rest home or hospital. Your doctor, other health professionals, or family often help you decide where to move to and when.

 

Who can move into residential care
There are 2 main groups of people who move into residential care:

  • people aged 65 and older who can no longer manage in their own homes — some people call this ‘aged care’
  • people aged between 50 and 64 who have a disability or illness which means they need 24-hour care

If you’re under 50 and have major health or disability problems, in some circumstances you may be able to move into residential care. Talk to your doctor or healthcare team for further advice.

 

Steps to moving into residential care
You need to make decisions about:

  • the kind of care and services you need
  • which rest home or hospital you would prefer to live in
  • how you’ll pay for it.

 

The first step is to get a needs assessment
Through your local District Health Board (DHB) to work out what level of care you need. You don’t have to do this, but if you don’t you:

  • can’t apply for financial help from the government
  • may have to pay more than the weekly amount set by the government for residential care in your region
  • can have difficulty finding a place in a rest home — many homes won’t let you move in unless you’ve had a needs assessment first.

 

Types of residential care:
There are 4 types of full-time residential care. Providers sometimes offer more than one type of care within the same property.

  • Rest homes — care for older people who can manage some daily tasks, but need help with personal care and who would find it difficult to live safely in their own homes.
  • Long-stay hospitals — care for people who have significant medical problems or disability. They need healthcare from registered nurses and support from others to move about.
  • Dementia units — care for people suffering from dementia or other mental illnesses, and who could be a risk to themselves or others.
  • Psycho-geriatric units — are secure, and care for people who have difficult behavioural problems, including severe dementia or addictions, and need a high level of specialist nursing care.

 

Their services:
The services offered by residential care providers vary from one to another. They must tell you about the services they offer and be clear about which ones you pay extra for.
Healthcare

 

They must provide:

  • visits from a General Practitioner (GP) — this is usually a doctor they appoint to look after you
  • medicines that are prescribed for you by your GP — but only those subsidised by the government agency, Pharmac
  • nursing care – this includes having a registered nurse available to oversee your care, and also staff training and medical matters
  • dressings, continence supplies or other products used in your treatment
  • transport for medical or health reasons, eg to an appointment at a public hospital
  • someone to accompany you to health appointments if your family or friends aren’t able to.

 

Accommodation
They must provide:

  • accommodation that is suitable for older people — it must be comfortable, safe, offer privacy and support your wellbeing
  • a garden or safe outdoor space that has sheltered seating and is easy to get to.

 

Occupational Right Agreements or Licence to occupy
Residential care and retirement villages are different — but some villages do offer care in serviced apartments. You pay a lump sum to live in the apartment or care suite. This is called an Occupation Right Agreement or sometimes a Licence to Occupy.
If you are getting rest home care in an apartment you pay a weekly fee for services. You or those close to you may need legal advice, as your Admission Agreement needs be amended so you’re not paying twice for services.
If you need a level of care higher than rest home you may have to move because not all Occupation Right Agreement apartments provide hospital-level or dementia-level care.

 

Lifestyle
They must provide:

  • healthy meals and snacks — as much as possible they should take account of your personal tastes, and medical or cultural needs
  • laundry and cleaning services
  • equipment that helps you get around, such as wheelchairs or walking frames
  • clinical or other equipment that helps with your personal care — this ranges from thermometers to a stethoscope, hospital beds to handrails
  • some recreational activities
  • radio, television and mail services.

 

Pay for extra services
The admission agreement you sign with a rest home or hospital lists any extra services that you’ve agreed to pay for and how much they cost.
The services can include:

  • a premium room, eg one with an ensuite bathroom
  • medicine or vitamins not prescribed by a doctor
  • specialists or other healthcare not publicly funded through the DHB, eg x-rays
  • glasses, hearing aids and dental care
  • personal items and services, eg magazines or hairdressing
  • clothing and dry cleaning
  • personal mobility aids, eg your own wheelchair or mobility scooter
  • insurance of your personal belongings
  • leisure costs, eg tickets to shows or club memberships
  • telephone, internet or pay-to-view TV services.

 

Making a complaint:
There are different steps to take depending on your complaint, but tell the manager of the rest home or hospital first — they may be able to fix the problem.
Steps to making a complaint:
1. Check your Admission Agreement to find out the complaints process for your rest home or hospital.
2. Set up a meeting with, or write to the manager to discuss your complaint. You can ask a health advocate to help you — they are there to give you information about your rights and the options open to you. They also support you to take the action you choose.
3. If your complaint still hasn’t been resolved, contact the owner or provider of your rest home — the contact information should be in your Admission Agreement.

 

Complaining about care
If you’re concerned about the quality of your care, contact the Health and Disability Commissioner.
hdc@hdc.org.nz
0800 112233

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