Retirement Villages Association NZ Inc

What Retirement Villages Association NZ Inc does

The Retirement Villages Association of New Zealand Inc (RVA) is a voluntary, nationally-based membership association founded in 1997 and headquartered at Level 27, Majestic Centre, 100 Willis Street, Wellington. It represents 96% of New Zealand's retirement villages, encompassing more than 38,500 homes and 53,000+ residents, with approximately 130 people moving into member villages each week. The association's primary members are retirement village operators, developers, and managers (including large listed groups such as Ryman Healthcare, Summerset, Metlifecare, Arvida Group, and Oceania Healthcare), and its secondary membership tier comprises suppliers and service providers to the sector.

RVA's core service portfolio combines regulatory advocacy, industry accreditation, professional development, and events. The RVA Standards & Accreditation programme requires member villages to meet standards above the Retirement Villages Act 2003 minimum, with audits conducted every three years by approved independent agencies (BSI Group and DAA Group). The Te Ara Professional Development Programme is a sector-specific e-learning platform offering 40+ modules, an RVA Essentials Certificate ($225 + GST), a Foundation Programme ($600 + GST), individual modules ($100–150 + GST), and an annual unlimited subscription ($1,500 + GST). Other offerings include the annual RVA Conference (400+ attendees), the Village Finder consumer directory, the RVA Sustainability Awards, regional forums (19 events per year), and the Food Waste Reduction Toolkit co-developed with the University of Otago.

RVA operates as a non-profit industry body with a five-person staff led by Executive Director Michelle Palmer (appointed September 2024). Revenue is generated through annual Village Membership fees (base $508.14 + GST per ownership group plus tiered unit-based fees), Associate Membership fees ($600 or $350 + GST depending on organisation size), Te Ara training sales, conference sponsorships (led by Gallagher Insurance and PwC), and bulk purchasing benefits. Governance is provided by an elected Executive Committee populated by CEOs of major operators, with Graham Wilkinson (Generus Living Group) as President since 2015 and Michelle Burke (Anthony Harper Lawyers) as Vice President.

Name

Retirement Villages Association NZ Inc

Legal name

The Retirement Villages Association of New Zealand Inc

Website

https://retirementvillages.org.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Retirement Villages Association NZ Inc is a voluntary national membership association representing 96% of New Zealand's retirement villages and 53,000+ residents, providing accreditation, advocacy, the Te Ara professional development platform, sustainability awards, and an annual industry conference to operators and suppliers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retirement Village Industry Association Services

NAICS

Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (62331)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Active Adult / Senior Community Association Management (BPAJAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Master-Planned Community & POA Management (BPAJAHAD)

Keywords

• Retirement village association
• Industry membership services
• Professional development training
• Retirement village accreditation
• Aged care advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Wellington

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Village Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from retirement village operators. Base fee of $508.14 + GST per ownership group, with tiered unit-based pricing: first 10 units free, 11-100 units at $25.48/unit, 101-200 units at $13.26/unit, 201+ units at $9.96/unit.
2. Associate Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from suppliers and service providers to the retirement village industry. Standard organisations pay $600 + GST, sole traders/small businesses (≤3 FTE) pay $350 + GST.
3. Te Ara Training Programme: Professional development e-learning modules sold to individuals and organisations. Pricing includes RVA Essentials Certificate ($225 + GST), Foundation Programme ($600 + GST), individual modules ($100-150 + GST), annual subscription ($1,500 + GST), and library membership ($300 + GST).
4. Bulk Purchasing Benefits: RVA leverages collective buying power to obtain discounts and benefits for members, creating value through negotiated supplier deals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Retirement Villages Association (RVA) is a voluntary, nationally-based membership association that represents retirement village operators, developers, and managers throughout New Zealand. It sells Village Membership and Associate Membership, delivers the Te Ara Professional Development Programme (e-learning modules, certificates, and in-person development days), runs the annual RVA Conference, administers RVA Standards & Accreditation (audited by BSI Group and DAA Group), operates the Village Finder online directory, and provides advocacy, networking, and sustainability recognition to the retirement village sector.

Product overview

The Retirement Villages Association (RVA) is a voluntary industry membership association representing retirement village operators, developers, and managers throughout New Zealand. Rather than a unified software product, the RVA offers a portfolio of membership services including Village and Associate membership programmes, the Te Ara Professional Development Programme (with e-learning modules, certificates, and in-person development days), the annual RVA Conference, the Village Finder directory tool, Standards & Accreditation services, the Food Waste Reduction Toolkit, and Sustainability Awards. These services work together to support quality, integrity, and professional development across New Zealand's retirement living sector.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Te Ara: A comprehensive professional development programme for staff working in New Zealand's retirement village sector, offering e-learning modules, foundation programmes, and a learning library for village management skills.
• Te Ara Professional Development Programme
• RVA Conference
• RVA Sustainability Awards

Products and services

• Village Membership Accredited annual membership for owners, operators, developers, and managers of registered retirement villages in New Zealand, providing access to industry insights, best-practice guidance, RVA Standards & Accreditation, advocacy representation, Te Ara professional development, conference and forum access, bulk purchasing benefits, and the right to display RVA accreditation. Priced at $508.14 + GST base fee per ownership group plus tiered unit-based fees (first 10 units free; 11-100 units at $25.48/unit; 101-200 at $13.26/unit; 201+ at $9.96/unit).
• Associate Membership Annual membership for suppliers and service providers to the retirement village industry, providing supplier directory listing, conference and event discounts, networking access, newsletter advertising ($180 + GST per advert), and sponsorship and exhibition opportunities. Standard organisations $600 + GST; sole traders and small businesses ≤3 FTE $350 + GST.
• Te Ara Professional Development Programme Sector-specific e-learning programme for retirement village staff, offering the RVA Essentials Certificate (3 modules, $225 + GST), Foundation Programme (6 modules, $600 + GST), individual modules ($100-150 + GST with bundle pricing of $100/module when buying 6+), annual unlimited-access subscription ($1,500 + GST), and Library Membership for completed modules ($300 + GST). Includes 40+ standalone modules covering operations, leadership, resident wellbeing, compliance, and customer service.
• RVA Conference Premier annual paid industry conference for retirement village owners, operators, developers, and managers, featuring networking, education sessions, the annual general meeting, an exhibition of suppliers, the Gallagher Insurance Gala Dinner, and the RVA Sustainability Awards. The RVA Conference 2026 is scheduled for 3-5 August 2026 at the New Zealand International Convention Centre in Auckland and draws more than 400 delegates, exhibitors and partners each year.
• Village Finder Online search tool on the RVA website enabling prospective retirement village residents and their families to search for retirement villages by location or by village name across New Zealand.
• RVA Standards & Accreditation Accreditation programme requiring member villages to meet RVA's Code of Practice standards above minimum legislative requirements, verified through independent audits conducted every three years by RVA-approved audit agencies BSI Group and DAA Group. Functions as a nationally recognised trust mark for accredited villages.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% market representation of NZ retirement villages
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, key sponsor and core.

• ANZ BanksupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerANZ Bank is featured as a supplier partner on the RVA website, providing financial services to the retirement village sector. Appears in supplier listings alongside other corporate partners.
• Gallagherkey sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerGallagher Insurance is the principal sponsor of the RVA Conference 2026 and sponsors the Gallagher Insurance Gala Dinner & RVA Sustainability Awards. Provides insurance services to the retirement village industry.
• Programmed Commercial PaintingsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured supplier partner on RVA website. Sponsors the RVA Golf Tournament (Programmed Commercial Painting Golf Tournament for the Grant Adamson Memorial Trophy at RVA Conference 2026).
• BSI GroupcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRVA-approved independent audit agency for village accreditation. Conducts accreditation audits against RVA Standards and Code of Practice alongside DAA Group.
• DAA GroupcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRVA-approved independent audit agency for village accreditation. Conducts accreditation audits against RVA Standards and Code of Practice alongside BSI Group.
• PwCkey sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerPwC sponsors the Official Opening Function at RVA Conference 2026. Provides professional services including advisory to retirement village operators.
• APL Window SolutionssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the APL Operator-led Sustainability Award at RVA Sustainability Awards. Provides window solutions to retirement villages.
• Resene PaintssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Resene Resident-Led Sustainability Award. Provides paints and coatings to retirement villages.
• Bunnings TradesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Bunnings Trade Resident-Led Gardening and Landscaping Award. Trade supplier to retirement villages.
• Grant ThorntonsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant Thornton published 'The path to profitability: separating fact from fiction in New Zealand's retirement village sector' report commissioned to support RVA's advocacy position on regulatory reform.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Property Council New Zealand: NZ's broader property industry body, which includes retirement villages within its remit. Adjacent membership association with overlap in advocacy, events, and sponsors serving the same operator customers.
• Global Ageing Network: International network of aging services providers and associations. Provides a global counterpart/affiliation pathway for RVA and connects NZ operators to international best practice.

Direct peers

• New Zealand Aged Care Association: Industry association for NZ aged care providers; overlapping membership and regulatory advocacy scope with RVA in the senior housing and care sector. Both represent large NZ operators and engage with government on sector reform.
• Retirement Living Council (Australia): Australian retirement living industry body within the Property Council of Australia. Operates as a sector-specific membership association covering retirement village operators, suppliers, and advocacy, closely analogous to RVA's remit.

Regional players

• Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA): Australia's peak body for aged care providers, formed via merger of LASA and ACSA. Closest cross-Tasman peer to RVA in mission, structure, and member services (advocacy, accreditation, training, conferences).

Broad incumbents

• American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA): US trade association for senior housing operators, providing advocacy, education, and networking. Comparable mission to RVA within the senior living operator ecosystem.
• LeadingAge (US): Large US membership association for nonprofit providers of aging services, including retirement and senior housing. Operates advocacy, professional development, and accreditation functions analogous to RVA but at a much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Retirement-Life-111010643729271
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/retirement-villages-association-nz-ltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/retirementlifenz/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Retirement Villages Association NZ Inc