Before choosing Matamata Country Club as our new home, we did a lot of research into retirement living options both in Auckland, where we currently live, and in the Waikato, which we saw as the perfect place to embrace a slower pace of life.
As part of our decision-making process, we visited the Sanderson Group’s Tamahere Country Club, where we had an insightful tour with Brendon. We also had the opportunity to explore partially completed homes and the excellent on-site facilities. We were immediately impressed by the quality of the homes, the design, and the wide variety of options available, both in size and price. We loved how well the grounds were maintained and appreciated how the homes were thoughtfully arranged on each site, ensuring individuality rather than a cookie-cutter design.
After some time reflecting, we arranged a visit to Matamata Country Club, which we had seen advertised on television. In April 2024, we met with Trish in the charming cabin nestled in the woods, prior to the show home being built. As we toured the land, we were particularly impressed by the commitment to preserving the natural environment. The grove of trees at the entrance would remain, and the mature oak tree and large trees along the driveway would stay, a decision that resonated with us. We could see that Sanderson Group respects the land—a value that aligns with our own ethos. The views of the Kaimai Range and Matamata’s central location, being less than one hour to Taupō, Hamilton and Tauranga, and just under three hours to Auckland, added to its appeal.
What ultimately drew us to Matamata Country Club was its central Waikato location, future on-site hospital and dementia care facilities, and its smaller site that we believe will foster a close-knit community. As John has no immediate family in New Zealand, it was crucial for us to find a place where he could feel a true sense of belonging and support later in life.
We chose the Te Miro house design, and the entire process has been super easy. Every question we had about design choices and variations was dealt with quickly, and we were even given samples of colours, curtains, cabinetry, and flooring to help make our decor decisions. We’ve also made several personalised changes to our home to make it ours.
Through the showhome events organised by Sanderson Group, we’ve already had the pleasure of meeting future neighbours and fellow residents. These events have been a wonderful way to begin building connections and foster a sense of community long before we even move in. Plenty of laughs have already been had over drinks and nibbles.
We’re looking forward to leaving the hustle and bustle of Auckland traffic behind later in the year and getting used to living a more relaxed lifestyle in the beautiful Waikato. We have worked hard to reach the point we are in life, now it’s time for us to soak up a bit of luxury, relax and become part of a new community whilst also enjoying all the amazing facilities once they come on stream.
We couldn’t be happier with our decision to make Matamata Country Club our new home.
Donna & John Huttley