Abbeyfield New Zealand
 The concept of Abbeyfield was introduced to New Zealand in 1991 by Dr Ted Bassett, a Wakefield GP, who had travelled to the United Kingdom to look for housing solutions to the increasing ageing population in Nelson.
Nelson, the venue for the 9th Abbeyfield International Convention, is the 'birthplace' of Abbeyfield in New Zealand. The national society, has offices and three part-time staff in Nelson City; and Nelson is the location of New Zealand's first Abbeyfield house, which opened in May 1994.
By the beginning of 2007 there will be eight houses, and ten affiliated local societies (Whangarei, Nelson, Masterton, Motueka, Golden Bay, Queenstown, Dunedin, Hamilton, Palmerston North and Auckland) and one steering committee which has applied for affiliation (Kaeo)
For further information contact:
Mr Chris Armstrong
Abbeyfield New Zealand
PO Box 482
159 Hardy Street
Nelson
New Zealand
Tel: (64) 3 546 6459 Fax: (64)3 546-6210
e-mail: office@abbeyfield.org.nz
website: www.abbeyfield.org.nz
The future:
Current operating houses: Eight. Five established houses at Hamilton, Nelson, Masterton, Whangarei and Motueka and three new houses at Auckland, Golden Bay, and Dunedin.
Planned: Societies are working towards more houses in Nelson, Wakatipu, Dunedin and Palmerston North, and opportunities for new Societies have been identified in Christchurch, Whangarei and Wainuiomata.
Abbeyfield New Zealand continues to actively explore alternative funding strategies: successfully partnering with local Government, the national Housing provider and other charitable organisations (e.g Returned Servicemen's Association) to develop projects. Abbeyfield New Zealand also successfully completed a house in Whangarei based on residents contributions providing construction capital in return for licenses to occupy suites in the completed house. This house has been successfully operating for 3 years the project is now being reviewed with the objective of replicating the model in other districts.
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