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It takes a village to act sustainably as evidenced by Pukekohe’s Franklin Village, which recently became the first retirement community in New Zealand to achieve a prestigious 4 Star GreenStar Communities rating.
Awarded by the New Zealand Green Building Council, the certification recognises the Oceania Healthcare village by: ‘best practice in the design and delivery of sustainable and community-based precincts.’
The achievement shows what’s possible when sustainability, care and community are part of planning from the outset, Oceania’s Gareth Wright confirms.
“Franklin Village is a meaningful step forward for the sector. This sets a clear
direction for Oceania and provides a benchmark for how retirement villages in New Zealand can support healthier, more connected and more resilient living,” he says. “Sustainability is built into the way the village and community works.”
Franklin Village welcomed its first residents in January. Homes are built with high levels of insulation and ventilation to support warmer, drier and healthier living environments, along
with improved energy performance – to deliver a 50% improvement in heating and cooling demand.
Sustainability was a key focus for the project, with features including an innovative stormwater management system to protect the neighbourhood around McNally Road, rainwater harvesting and all-electric infrastructure intended to support lower emissions.
The village has also been designed to encourage connection and wellbeing, with shared spaces, walkable neighbourhood design and integrated care supporting residents to remain part of their community as their needs change.
When the NZ Green Building Council (NZGBC) presented the certification, the
organisation’s CEO Andrew Eagles extended his congratulations to Oceania.
“Living in a healthy, supportive community is important at all stages of life,” he
says. “[Oceania’s] attention to health, lower costs and resilience is also shown in its targeting ratings for the homes and other buildings in Franklin Village.”
However, there is more to come. As reported previously, Franklin Village has its sights
set higher, aiming to secure a five-star rating – search ‘village takes shape’ at franklintimes.co.nz to read more
