CHT News

CHT recognised amongst NZ’s best at leading awards

Seniors New Zealand today announced the full results of the NZ’s Best Awards 2025, recognising the top 5% of retirement villages and aged-care facilities nationwide. Based on nearly 5,000 reviews and independently calculated by the University of Canterbury’s School of Mathematics and Statistics, finalists were required to reach a 90%+ weighted average to qualify—making this year’s honourees a remarkably elite group.

CHT St Margarets Care Home was recognised as the best large aged care facility in the North Island, with CHT Parkhaven a finalist in the same category, while CHT Royal Oak and CHT Hillsborough were both finalists in the small aged care facility North Island category.

As a group, CHT Care Homes was awarded a Multi-Facility Award in recognition of excellent performance.

“These awards aren’t decided in boardrooms – they’re based on the lived experiences of residents and families,” says Tania Ryan, General Manager for Seniors New Zealand. “That’s what makes them so meaningful.”

Every facility needed at least three reviews over the past year to be eligible, and only those with a 90% weighted average score or higher made the list. From there, independent analysis by the University of Canterbury Maths & Statistics Department confirmed the winners and finalists.

“These results show the incredible commitment of staff and communities to support senior New Zealanders with outstanding service and respect,” adds Ryan. “It’s a chance to celebrate the facilities that residents love and trust the most.”

All facilities have an opportunity to be included for free. Entry required ≥3 reviews in the past 12 months; finalists needed ≥90% weighted average. Results were independently calculated by the UC School of Mathematics and Statistics | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha. Category fields are capped at up to 6 finalists and 1 winner. Nearly 5,000 reviews were received, and 273 facilities qualified.

Note: Percentages were accurate at the time of award presentation and are based on an algorithm developed by the University of Canterbury that uses the average star rating based on a bed (or dwelling) ratio.

New online tool designed to maximise GP visits

Visits to the GP are set to be streamlined thanks to the ‘Navigating Wellness Health Checker’, designed to help older adult Kiwis, and their GPs, get the most out of their health care appointment.

In less than ten minutes, users can complete a set of comprehensive online health questionnaires in their own time, with simple yes or no answers. Results can then be easily downloaded, printed or shared via email, enabling users to cover a range of issues, and giving GP’s the chance to get a broader view of their patient’s current ageing journey.

Created by Third Age Health, a leading medical service provider for older adults living in residential care nationwide, the tool spans nine important topics from diet and nutrition to hearing and vision, to physical mobility, sleep, frailty and even loneliness and grief. Users can choose as many topics as they wish, with all results remaining anonymous and without personal data being stored by the site.

The ‘Navigating Wellness: a guide to primary health for older New Zealanders’ guidebook, was released in 2024, incorporating current research insights on managing your health, services and resources, practical tips and advice, designed to to support navigation through the health system and community health services.

Response to the guidebook motivated the decision to create the online health checker tool, according to Dr Joanna Hikaka, Third Age Heatlh advisory group member and co-director at the Centre for Co-Created Ageing Research.

“We’ve heard first hand from patients, support groups and health practitioners about the value of prompts and questions to drive reflection or discussion around health issues, especially around topics beyond the usual health-related areas,” said Dr Hikaka.

With the average GP appointment lasting only 15 minutes, getting all the necessary information from patients can be a challenge, according to GP Dr Diane Leach.

“It can be overwhelming for an older person as they often have a number of health issues, so this will take the pressure off GPs and patients, ensuring that every appointment gives a fuller picture of a person’s wellbeing.”

The CHT Aged Care Fund provides grants for projects spanning research, access to care, and workforce development, inspired by the goal of supporting delivery of high-quality care across the entire aged care sector.

Carriann Hall, Chief Executive at CHT Care Homes says, “the impressive uptake of the Navigating Wellness guidebook shows just how much this type of clear, self-support information is valued by older people and their loved ones, so we are very pleased to support the introduction of the online self-reflection tool to further enhance the experience for older people during vital GP visits.”

The online ‘Navigating Wellness Health Checker’, and the downloadable Navigating Wellness guidebook, are both available at thirdagehealth.co.nz

CHT Parkhaven wins Eldernet Christmas Competition!

CHT Parkhaven, located in Mangere East, took out top spot in the Eldernet Christmas Decoration Competition, winning the ‘Best Care Home’ category!

Christmas greetings represented the many different languages in the care home, and able residents were encouraged to use their imagination to create festive, colourful art to add to the displays. The opportunity to involve residents in ways that they felt comfortable with, created a sense of independence and pride, while creating a memorable and welcoming environment for all during the holiday period.

For their outstanding efforts, they won an incredible prize pack including a lifter donated by Invacare, TENA Flex Pads, 2x Permobil seat cushions, and some sensory items from Sensory Corner. The Invacare team, along with CHT CEO Carriann Hall and Area Manager Sharmila Devaraj, were warmly welcomed to CHT Parkhaven by residents and staff with waiata, celebration songs and a delicious morning tea, during the official delivery of the new hoist equipment.

Age Concern report shines a light on lonliness