A new retirement village and care home with harbour views, native bush and a rural feel is coming to Whitby, with Bupa New Zealand announcing development plans for a 10.7-hectare site that will create a new community for older people in the Wellington region.
Bupa Te Awarua Views is expected to include approximately 150 retirement living units and a premium care home, with the first villas expected to be ready in the second half of 2027.
Set high above Te Awarua-o-Porirua, the Porirua Harbour inlet, the site has spectacular views towards across the harbour and surrounding hills. Despite being just minutes from local shops, it has a secluded, rural feel, with around one-third of the site covered in native bush.
Bupa New Zealand Managing Director Pedro Sanchez said the location makes the development particularly special.
“It’s hard to find a site like this and a significant amount of work has gone into making it a special place to live. The amazing views, native bush and a real sense of space and privacy will be a huge drawcard for New Zealanders looking for a great place to retire and stay connected to nature and community.”
The development will offer a mix of independent living villas, apartments and residential care, giving people a choice about how they live and the option to move to a different type of accommodation if their needs change.
Bupa Te Awarua Views is planned to include a range of community facilities, including a gym, swimming pool, theatre, library, workshop and bowling green, along with landscaped gardens, walking paths and outdoor spaces.
The development has been named Bupa Te Awarua Views, reflecting its elevated outlook over Te Awarua-o-Porirua and its connection to the local landscape.
The name also acknowledges the story of Awarua, the taniwha of Porirua. The legend speaks to collaboration, relationships, support and connection, ideas that are important to Bupa and the community it hopes to create at the site.
“We wanted the name to reflect the location, the community and its connection to Porirua,” Pedro said.
“Te Awarua Views captures the outlook and the natural setting, but it also has a deeper connection to the history and stories of this area.”
Around 30,000 square metres of native bush will be protected as part of the development with landscaping and outdoor areas designed to work with the natural surroundings.
The retirement village homes will be warm, dry and energy-efficient, thoughtfully designed and built with sustainability in mind, from construction through to long-term operation. The care home and communal areas are planned to be powered by Ecotricity’s Toitū climate positive certified 100% renewable electricity product.
The project will also create jobs during construction and ongoing employment across care, hospitality, maintenance and village operations.
Sanchez said the development would help meet growing demand for retirement living and aged care in the region.
“People want choice about where and how they live as they get older, and they want to know that support is there if they need it.
“Te Awarua Views will give people choice, in a beautiful setting and close to the community they know.”