FRIDAY 18 MARCH - Through Hobbit Country from Napier to Taupo

Napier is known as the Art Deco capital of the world. This is due to the style in which the city was rebuilt after a devastating earthquake on February 3, 1931. The collapses of buildings and the ensuing fires killed 258 people. The centre of the town was destroyed by the earthquake, and later rebuilt in the Art Deco style popular at that time. Some 4000 hectares of today's Napier were undersea before the earthquake raised it up above sea level. In 2007 the city was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its distinctive architecture.

Today the thoughts all the people of New Zealand and millions of others across the world have been centred on that other devastated city of Christchurch as the memorial ceremony has taken place in Hagley Park. Prince William, along with many other dignitaries from across the region and the world, has been paying tribute to the city and its people as they come to terms with their losses. Many are beginning to think of the example set by Napier of a city that has recovered over the years and has achieved distinction as a result of its reconstruction. It will take time.

Our first visit today was to the village of "Summerset in the Bay" on the western outskirts of Napier.


As with the other Summerset villages the setting of the village is stunning. A similar mix of independent living villas and apartments is complemented by a popular community centre with many amenities for the residents and the community. On the first floor of the central building is the care centre offering residential and nursing care.





The village layout of all the Summerset sites is highly attractive with great attention paid to landscaping and floral display. Each villa has its own garden area tended by the residents. There is a great sense of pride in the presentation of the site by residents and staff alike.

It was while being shown round the site by Village Manager Allan den Boer that we had the great good fortune to meet up with two of the residents who were out for their morning exercise. There ensued one of those very special conversations that occur from time to time in aged care settings which have a powerful effect on those involved. Vic Viggers and his wife Betty have been residents at the village for several years. In conversation Vic began to tell us something of his personal story. When talking about England he volunteered that he had been stationed there during WW2. It further emerged that he had been a wireless operator on Lancasters as a member of Bomber Command. Eventually he told us that he is a holder of the Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for his bravery in maintaining his post within his aircraft while it was under severe attack. This modest gentleman then invited us back to his apartment where he showed us his medals and told us more of his personal story. It was a very special conversation and one to be treasured. Thank you, Vic, for sharing your story, and thank you Betty for putting up with us all.


From Napier we drove inland through more spectacular scenery for 1.45hrs to the town of Taupo on the shore of Lake Taupo. There we visited the last of the Summerset villages on my itinerary "Summerset by the Lake".


At this village we were guided on a tour of the site by Village Manager Evelyn White and had a chance to meet some of the staff and residents. Evelyn was kind enough to let Richard and I use the site golf buggy as the best way to get round the village in the short time we had available.





Then it was off to the small local airport and time to say goodbye and thanks to Richard who flew off back to Wellington. I had greatly enjoyed my experience with Summerset. They can be justifiably proud of the outstanding quality of their retirement villages. It was a genuine pleasure to be able to visit them and to follow in the footsteps of our Somerset Care Manager of Frith House Vicki Mitchell. Vicki was the first participant in our staff exchange with Summerset back in 2007. I hope there will be more in the future.

Location:Hamilton