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1010 days ago

First stage of big Halswell retirement village nears completion

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

Christchurch will get another retirement village when the first stage of Halswell’s $210 million Banbury Park opens in May.

The development, designed to resemble a subdivision with stand-alone houses built along streets, is going up on a 14-hectare site between Milns and Sparks roads.

It will have 191 houses, 42 apartments, a rest home with hospital and dementia care, and facilities including a pool and a restaurant. All buildings will be single or double storey.

The complex is being built by Qestral Corporation, a Christchurch company headed by Ryman Healthcare founder John Ryder, which develops upscale retirement villages.

Qestral bought the farmland for about $6.6m in 2019, most of it from Christchurch developer and investor the Carter Group, owned by Philip Carter.

Ryder said the first 12 homes finished would be followed by another 24, and completing the development would take five years.

The project has been expanded to cover an extra 2ha from when it was first announced, and construction costs have risen, Ryder said. The original budget was $160m.

The Banbury Park site is immediately south of the Meadowlands subdivision being built by Danne Mora Holdings, with 155 sections in six stages. It is just north of land owned by the Carter Group which is also earmarked for residential development.

Banbury Park’s houses will be from 116 square metres to 230sqm in size, while the apartments will be part of the main facilities building.

Banbury Park is being built in Halswell by Qestral Corporation.

As with other retirement villages, occupants will buy a right to occupy only, and will not own their homes.

Christchurch already has about 50 retirement villages, of which Burlington in Redwood and Alpine View in Marshland are both owned by Qestral.

Ryder said since establishing its first two complexes in the city, they had been made aware of demand for retirement homes in the southwestern suburbs.

“Halswell is a hugely busy area for construction and new housing – there’s been a huge amount of interest from people around the area,” he said.

The company also owns the Coastal View retirement village in Nelson and is developing others in Hamilton and Whangarei as part of a development programme costing more than $750m.

Other retirement villages planned for the Christchurch area include Ryman’s complexes in Park Tce in the central city and Main North Rd in Northwood, while fellow operator Summerset plans to build on land it has bought at South Belt in Rangiora, and Springs Rd in Prebbleton.

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2 days ago

Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.

Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.

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Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
  • 64% Yes
    64% Complete
  • 33.7% No
    33.7% Complete
  • 2.3% Other - I'll share below
    2.3% Complete
1929 votes
1 day ago

Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.

Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.

To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.

It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.

“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.

“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”

A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.


The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.

Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.

“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”

A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.

“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”

*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz

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21 hours ago

Become an SPCA Foster Hero!

The Team from SPCA Christchurch - Centre & Op Shops

Kitten season has arrived, and over the next six months, over 8,000 cats and kittens will come into SPCA’s care. Please help us give these babies the best start in life and sign up to be a foster parent today! It's not just cats and kittens - we are also urgently seeking foster homes for dogs and small animals.

Fostering saves lives and helps these tiny babies grow into healthy, well-adjusted adults, ready for adoption. We cover all training and costs. All you need is time and love to spare!

Sign up today and save a life!