Clevedon’s first retirement village officially named Ōtau Ridge

Metlifecare is pleased to announce they have formally named their Clevedon retirement village Ōtau Ridge.

Ōtau (pronounced or-toe) is a name gifted to Metlifecare from Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, who are the iwi mana whenua, tāngata whenua of Clevedon and the Wairoa River (awa) that surrounds the village site.

Ōtau is the last recorded Māori name of the area before it was changed to Clevedon.

Metlifecare Development Manager, Joe Bartley, who is overseeing the Ōtau project, has played an active role engaging with Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, and the wider community, since Metlifecare purchased the site more than two years ago.

“We’re honoured to have the name gifted to us by Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki. The name Ōtau translates to a safe crossing place on the awa Te Wairoa. It speaks to a narrative of travel, safe crossing and a place to settle.

“We believe this analogy symbolises the journey many residents take as they move into a retirement village and embark on a ‘settled’ life and where they are cared for,” says Joe.

Construction of the first stage of the village, which includes 38 villas, commenced in June 2023 and is now well underway.

Metlifecare intends to apply for registration of Ōtau Ridge under the Retirement Villages Act 2003 in early 2024 and expects to welcome the first residents late-2024.

“There has been a lot of early interest in this village from prospective customers and we’ll be starting to market the village early in the New Year. We’re excited to be able to showcase just how special this village will be,” says Joe.

Metlifecare’s design philosophy for its development sites is to create villages that connect seamlessly with the surrounding landscape and community, and Ōtau Ridge is no exception.

“The design team has put a lot of effort into ensuring this village will be something that future residents will be proud to call home.

“From the extensive landscaped grounds and access to the local walking and biking trails, through to unobstructed views of the Hunua Ranges, and the high-end architectural and interior design of the buildings, this village will perfectly fit into the boutique country lifestyle that makes Clevedon/Ōtau so unique.

“Ōtau Ridge will be a low-density village. Apart from the care and amenity building, it will consist only of single-level dwellings,” says Joe.

The new villas will be targeting the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) Homestar 7 rating.

ENDS

Register your interest at www.otauridge.co.nz or email otauridge@metlifecare.co.nz