Disclaimer: This article is for information only. The Indian Weekender is not a promoter and is not affiliated with the project. Readers are encouraged to exercise their own discretion
A community-driven initiative is under discussion in South Auckland, exploring the creation of a retirement lifestyle village specifically for the ageing Indian community in New Zealand. Led by the Nirvana Retirement Village Project Group, the proposal envisions a cooperative model where the facility would be owned and governed by its members.
The retirement village and rest home care facility is aspiring to to cater to cultural preferences, including cuisine, language, and traditions, creating a sense of home for its residents.
“Currently there is no retirement home for the Indian community and as people get old and sick they have to go to English style villages where culture, food and languages are different," Balubhai Mistry, promoter of the project and former president of the Manukau Indian Association, told The Indian Weekender
“People with the same cultural background and cuisine, language staying in a village community will make them feel at home,” he added.
The proposed facility, located at 80 Wyllie Road, Papatoetoe, aims to include 330 units across a 17,193 square metre site, featuring 66 two-bedroom apartments, a rest home, and a medical clinic.
The idea for the village emerged from the community’s track record of success in building temples, community centres, and luxury hotels, Mistry explained. “Surely the community can be successful in creating this village,” he said.
A community meeting is scheduled for 27 February 2026 at 5:30 PM at Level 2 Hall, 25 Tui Road (Diversity Centre), where architectural plans and the cooperative ownership concept will be presented.
Mistry highlighted that seniors want to live in a space where vegetarian and Indian dietary preferences are understood, cultural practices and festivals are celebrated, language and community connections feel natural, and care is delivered with empathy and cultural awareness. “This project aims to provide exactly that,” he said.
Under the proposed cooperative model, members would collectively own the village, make decisions democratically, and ensure that benefits flow back to the community. Long-term sustainability would be prioritised over profit.
“This approach ensures that the village remains affordable, culturally aligned, and community-driven for generations,” the project team explained.
The project is currently at a nascent stage, with no developers involved, and the organisers are inviting the community to participate in shaping the initiative.
The agenda of the meeting on 27 February includes a presentation of the retirement village and rest home concept, an introduction to the cooperative ownership model, discussions on land acquisition, design, and cultural features, as well as a Q&A session and formation of a cooperative limited company by members.
The meeting is open to community elders and their families, professionals interested in contributing expertise, and anyone passionate about building long-term community assets or curious about cooperative ownership models. The organisers emphasised that the community’s ideas, concerns, and aspirations will help shape the project.
Disclaimer: This article is for information only. The Indian Weekender is not a promoter and is not affiliated with the project. Readers are encouraged to exercise their own discretion