The final push to raise the last $250,000 needed for the construction of Katikati’s Abbeyfield House is underway with a series of events announced.

Abbeyfield Western Bay of Plenty chairwoman Carole Parker says it’s exciting to be nearing the goal of getting the Abbeyfield house built.

“We envisage breaking ground this year.”

The land has been secured on Wills Rd, resource consent approved, and the building contract has now gone out to tender.

Once the construction has progressed, attention will turn to the future residents of Abbeyfield House.

“We currently have 39 people who’ve registered their interest in living at the shared accommodation but there are only 14 spaces available. It’s terrible to have that many elderly people desperate for accommodation.”

Katikati’s Abbeyfield House is one of 14 in New Zealand that caters for residents aged above 65, to provide affordable rental accommodation.

Residents live independently, with their own studio room with ensuite, and come together to share meals prepared by a housekeeper or cook.

Carole says the support Abbeyfield WBOP is receiving is “amazing”.

“We’ve held a golf tournament, raffles and had people donating. We’ve also had wooden stakes sponsored for $5000 each that are personalised by local artists and will sit in the garden of Abbeyfield house.”

The next fundraiser is an afternoon event coming up July 7 with guest speaker Jo McCarroll, who is an author and editor of ‘New Zealand Gardener’ magazine.  

“Most of those tickets for that have been sold,” says Carole. “We also have other things in the pipeline including a lunch with Dame Theresa Gattung who’ll be talking about breaking the glass ceiling.”

To snap up one of the remaining $30 tickets to an Afternoon Tea with Jo McCarroll on July 7 from 2pm-5pm at Waihi Beach RSA, visit: https://www.theartsjunction.org.nz/abbeyfield-wbop-tickets Or purchase from The Arts Junction in Katikati.

To find out how you can support Katikati’s Abbeyfield House project, visit: https://www.abbeyfield.co.nz/house/wbop/