North Canterbury Retirement Village Named Best in the South Island

Village General Manager Suzi Cadigan says the win means a lot to everyone involved – “We’re really chuffed about winning this award. It’s attributed to all the people who live and work here, as it reflects how we all make this community what it is.”

 

The Sterling, Kaiapoi previously won Best Small Village in the South Island in 2024 and continues to grow since opening in December 2021. When completed, the village will include 184 homes made up of independent living villas and townhouses.

 

A new village centre is also under construction and set to open early next year. Among its features will be a public café, offering locals a new gathering place and expanding the area’s hospitality offerings.

 

Cadigan shares “Residents were recently taken on a hard-hat tour of the construction site, and they were excited to see where the multipurpose room was located, where the cinema would be, as well as the gym, the pool and their new cafe.” 

The award is decided through public votes and feedback from residents, families, and aged care professionals across the country.

 

“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved together”, Cadigan adds. “We were up against all those other villages that are much bigger than ours, so it just goes to show you that our residents are happy here and that’s what matters.”