Abbeyfield Waikato

Abbeyfield Waikato – the fifth Abbeyfield house developed in New Zealand

This house was purpose built as a stand alone unit and is located as part of a social service village, Te Ara Hou [the new way] at 102 Morrinsville Road, Hillcrest, Hamilton. Ten resident suites plus Housekeeper’s flat, relief Housekeeper’s room and Guest room radiate out on three wings from the central lounge, dining room and entrance way. The house property is set amongst mature trees in a park-like setting and adjacent to other facilities in the village and to neighbouring houses.

The opening of the house on 20 August 2005 culminated five years hard work by the Committee. Richard Carr-Gomm was one of the founding signatories when Abbeyfield Waikato Incorporated was formed. We understand this is unique in the Abbeyfield International family. Now we need to carry the baton he has passed to us, in the same humble self-giving spirit of our Founder.

Like the other Abbeyfield houses in the Abbeyfield International family, Abbeyfield Waikato provides quality accommodation and companionship at an affordable price. The house construction was largely financed by a long term loan from Housing New Zealand Corporation. The funds to purchase the land came from a local benevolent trust.

“When I heard about Abbeyfield, I thought it was too good to be true, but it is” said Jim Borlase a recent resident. Our residents are drawn from across the Waikato and from Auckland.

An award

The Abbeyfield Committee's pride in the house has been enhanced by our builder Mitchell Construction Ltd receiving a bronze award in the Regional final of the 2006 Master Builders House of the Year awards under the Housing New Zealand Community Development category of the awards. A bronze award indicates the project was completed 50% above the industry standard.

This category is open to community residential developments built or modified to meet the needs of the community and not-for-profit sector to high quality standards. Entries shall include, but not be limited to, Government (central and local) housing development, church owned properties, retirement villages targeting mid to lower socio individuals and families, those development built by not-for-profit organisations to meet a community or social need and existing properties with modifications in excess of $100,000 to meet a community need such as community housing for people with disabilities (excluding soley bathroom and kitchen upgrades).

The home was judged on unique criteria recognising the requirements and aspirations of those at the modest end of the housing market. The buildings entered must reflect this.

Well done Colin Mitchell and your team at Mitchell Construction.

Contact Abbeyfield Waikato

We welcome enquiries from possible residents

Val Mildon

4 Wiremu Street

Hamilton East

Hamilton 3216

Phone 856 7267

Email    val.mildon@vodafone.co.nz

For all other enquiries contact

Murray Kerr (Chairman)
27 Paulette Place
Chartwell
Hamilton
email murray@kermah.co.nz
phone (07) 855 3766 or (021) 125 8135

Denise White (Secretary)
62A Sunnyhills Ave
Dinsdale
Hamilton
email:  yte@clear.net.nz
phone (07) 843 1904