Meet the dynamic duo at the heart of Ōtau Ridge!

The doors at Ōtau Ridge officially opened in December, and Village Manager, Rebecca Mentor and Sales Executive, Siobhan Cudby, are the dynamic duo at the heart of Clevedon’s first retirement village.

Siobhan Cudby: turning dreams into reality

With a degree in Health Science and years in the construction industry, Siobhan Cudby has a unique knack for understanding both people and the details that make a house a home.

“I never ended up using my degree,” Siobhan laughs. “I went straight into construction, selling house and land packages for Jennian and Signature Homes. I loved helping people design and plan their homes—choosing every little detail.”

Now at Ōtau Ridge, her role as Sales Executive allows Siobhan to blend her experience with her passion for people. Her favourite part of the job? Meeting new customers and helping them envision their ideal retirement lifestyle.

“I love talking to people and really getting to know them,” she shares. “Everyone has a different dream for their retirement, and it’s so rewarding to help bring that to life.”

Rebecca Mentor: a lifetime of caring

With over 14 years of experience in retirement village living, including a decade as the Village Manager at Metlifecare’s Dannemora Gardens retirement village in Botany, Rebecca Mentor brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to her role.

“I’ve always loved working with people,” Rebecca says. “During my time with the Department of Health, I worked with older people and those with disabilities. I also spent a decade with the Justice Department, so it’s always been about connecting with others and helping to make a difference.”

Rebecca’s deep understanding of retirement village lifestyles shines through in her work. She’s passionate about creating a safe, supportive environment where residents can thrive in their golden years.

“I’ve met many people who have come from large homes they can no longer manage or situations where they’ve been quite isolated,” she explains. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see the relief they feel when they move into a community like this. They gain security, connection, and often a fantastic social life!”

Rebecca speaks highly of the upcoming amenity building, which will include a café and bar, a cinema room, wellness centre and even a hair salon.

“The amenity building is going to be stunning,” she says. “It’s a beautifully designed space for residents, friends and family to connect and socialise. And it has incredible views across the plains and out to the Hunua Ranges.”

A village built for the community

Ōtau Ridge is already weaving itself into the fabric of Clevedon, with a focus on sustainability (it will be New Zealand’s first retirement village to achieve a Green Star Community rating) and community integration.

“The village will eventually connect to Clevedon’s Bridle Trail and offers residents easy access to everything Clevedon has to offer – from its cafes and shops to the Bowling Club and Farmers Markets,” says Rebecca.

“We’ve built good relationships with local businesses and community groups. We use local catering for events, and we sourced locally made Christmas gifts for our customers. We’re also looking forward to sponsoring the Clevedon Bowling Club and even having a village float in next year’s Christmas parade!”

Looking Ahead

With the first 38 villas complete and residents now moving in, Siobhan and Rebecca are looking forward to the opening of the amenity building in a few months’ time and the 41-bed care home later this year.

“It’s such an exciting time,” Siobhan says. “We’re looking forward to seeing this community grow and flourish.”

For Rebecca, the village represents the best of retirement living. “Honestly,” she smiles, “I wouldn’t hesitate to move into a place like this myself one day. My husband’s already pushing for it!”