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

‘Navigating Wellness’ guidebook now available

Older New Zealanders will benefit from a free guidebook being created to gather and refine vital information needed to age well in Aotearoa New Zealand. ‘Navigating Wellness: a guide to primary health for older New Zealanders’ is now available thanks to support from the CHT Aged Care Fund.

Third Age Health, a leading medical service provider for older adults living in residential care nationwide, has developed this guidebook to help improve the experience for older adults as they navigate their personal health care and lifestyle journey.

Incorporating current research insights on managing your health, available services and resources, practical tips and expert advice, the guidebook can be used by patients, families and health professionals in primary care to support navigation through the health system and community health services.

Tony Wai, CEO at Third Age Health notes, “Our commitment to creating this guidebook aligns with our organisation’s mission of being strong advocates for ageing well regardless of where that takes place.”

Real-world feedback from local focus groups has helped to shape content which spans a broad range of topics from health agencies and specialists, to social and community groups, legal matters and encouraging self-assessment to promote health autonomy.

Dr Diane Leach, GP and Medical Director at Third Age Health, says a major issue facing older people is that a 15-minute GP appointment is simply not enough time to discuss multiple conditions, or for GPs to offer the breadth of advice required beyond acute health issues.

“Older people often have a number of health issues which need attention, as well as needing direction or advice around other areas of their life. This resource will not only be tremendously helpful for our patients and their families, but will also take the pressure off GP’s so that every appointment can be used appropriately.”

“It can be overwhelming for an older person to find information they need, especially in this digital age, so by addressing their needs in a way that is easily accessible for them, we anticipate this guidebook will make a positive and meaningful difference for our older population.”

The CHT Aged Care Fund enhances the wellbeing of older New Zealanders by providing grants for projects across research, access to care, and workforce development.

Carriann Hall, Chief Executive at CHT Care Homes says “As the population ages so does the number of older people in the community who require support services, which makes this guidebook initiative even more critical for the community, as well as for the health professionals striving to assist them.”

Download your copy of ‘Navigating Wellness: a guide to primary health for older New Zealanders’ HERE.

CHT Hillcrest scoops national award!

The recent Aged Advisor ‘People’s Choice’ Awards for 2022 have seen two CHT facilities recognised as being among the best in the country, according to the votes of residents and families.

CHT Hillcrest in Mangere was named the best Best Medium / Large Aged Care Facility in the North Island, while CHT Royal Oak was a finalist in the Best Small Aged Facility category.

Aged Advisor is an online website designed to make looking for the right Retirement Village or Aged Care facilities simpler and easier. Visitors to the site can explore their options and read verified reviews. https://www.agedadvisor.nz

A huge congratulations to these teams for taking great care of our residents, and thank you to everyone who voted for a CHT facility.

CHT – 60 years of caring

CHT Healthcare Trust was founded in 1962 and this year we are celebrating our Diamond Anniversary to recognise 60 years of taking great care of older people!

Our dedicated and passionate staff work tirelessly to take great care of our residents and uphold our values of care, compassion and connection, so as a team we took a moment on our Foundation Day to celebrate each and every person’s hard work and commitment with a special morning tea, decorations and small gifts at each of our Units.