Why Digital Transformation matters for Retirement Villages
The retirement village sector in New Zealand is experiencing unprecedented growth and change. Driven by demographic shifts, rising resident expectations, and increasingly complex operational and compliance requirements, retirement villages are facing new challenges — and new opportunities.
For operators looking to stay ahead, digital transformation is no longer optional. It’s a strategic investment in the long-term efficiency, professionalism, and responsiveness of your village. By adopting the right digital systems, you can streamline administration, support resident engagement, and enhance your ability to scale confidently.
In this blog, we explore:
- The latest sector statistics that highlight why the time to act is now
- How digital transformation improves the resident journey from enquiry to departure
- The role of digital systems in supporting the continuum of care
- A real-world example from Elmswood Retirement Village
- The operational and financial benefits of adopting an integrated digital platform
Sector Growth Demands Smarter Systems![]()
Recent data highlights the scale and urgency of this shift:
- Over 49,000 New Zealanders were living in retirement villages as of 2023 — a figure that has steadily increased over the last decade (RVA).
- The number of retirement village units has more than doubled from 19,400 in 2012 to 38,600, with a further 20,000 units in design, consent, or construction stages (RVA).
- The 75+ population is projected to grow from 345,960 in 2021 to 567,450 by 2033, reaching 832,810 by 2048 (JLL Outlook on NZ’s Retirement Village Sector).
Streamlining the Resident Journey![]()
- Managing prospect engagement, ORA processes, and contract milestones
- Offering centralised communication, service tracking, and notes across teams
- Providing customisable billing options for flexible service packages
- Supporting the continuum of care, with seamless transitions into other care environments when required
With a digital system in place, retirement villages can deliver more responsive, consistent service — and gain greater oversight across their entire operation.
Case Study:
Elmswood Retirement Village![]()
Christchurch-based Elmswood Retirement Village offers a wide range of services including villas, serviced apartments, rest home, hospital-level and resthome care.
“Looking forward, we had plans to develop a hospital wing and knew that the old system had expired. A more efficient electronic system needed to be implemented that could easily handle the rapid growth of the business.”— Letitia Welsford, General Manager
Since implementing VCare:
- Data entry was centralised, ensuring consistency and accuracy
- Billing and receipting became automated, even with complex service offerings
- Staff gained mobile access via VCare Any-ware — crucial for weekend and offsite teams
- Notes, charts, and observations were updated in real-time
“Someone could ring up and say ‘Brittany’s looking unwell’ and the RN could look up VCare and have everything at their fingertips. I don’t know how we would do it otherwise.”— Julia Mead, Facility Manager
Designed for New Zealand Retirement Villages![]()
VCare is a purpose-built platform tailored to the specific needs of retirement villages in New Zealand. It enables operators to:
- Manage ORAs, contracts, and village services efficiently
- Track occupancy, fees, and compliance across sites
- Scale operations while maintaining accuracy and transparency
- Empower teams with mobile access and real-time data
Discover What VCare Can Do for Your Village
VCare is trusted by leading retirement villages — including Elmswood — to deliver a streamlined, resident-focused experience and support growth across the full continuum of care