Details

An Exciting Concept!

The Qestral approach is design-led, non-institutional, caring and community orientated. Qestral creates places, spaces, facilities, houses, apartments, food, events and activities to be proud of.


The dedicated team work tremendously hard  to help  residents lead a life worth living, full of: health, wellness, fun, good humour, music and (of course) magic..

Financial Security

There are no hidden surprises in the financial arrangements.


The interests of the village residents are protected by a Statutory Supervisor (Covenant Trustees - the largest trustee company in the aged care industry) who monitor Qestral’s audited financial accounts and have a significant overview of operations within the villages.

Have Peace of Mind

A Code of Practice applies to the day-to-day operations of the village, and a Code of Rights outlines the rights and obligations of residents, village management and staff. 


Qestral’s owners and operators are experienced industry leaders and innovators, and the company is substantially resourced (with capital).


Village Guarantees

Qestral's design-led focus means that the villages are open, expansive and non-institutional. 


● Buildings are a maximum height of two storeys

● All houses are architecturally designed and available in a range of styles

● Houses are mainly stand-alone with generous space between them


Qestral guarantees that:

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  • Weekly service fees or the village contribution fee will not alter during a resident's tenancy, unless the level of care changes. This effectively means that expenses such as rates, insurance, outside maintenance and garden upkeep are fixed for the period of a resident's occupancy.


  • All fees (such as the weekly service and village commencement and contribution fees) will cease when a resident leaves the village, and will not be delayed until a unit is sold.
  • No one - not Qestral, nor any of its villages, nor banks, or any other party, have financial priority over village residents (under the 2003 Retirement Villages Act - we suggest that you confirm this with your solicitor).


  • If within 90 days from the date of occupation, a resident decides to no longer remain in a house or apartment in the village, they will receive a full refund of the purchase price without any deductions for village contributions.

Experience

The senior management team, who are also part-owners and directors, have been operating aged care facilities for over 25 years and are highly experienced in caring for the elderly.

 

Directors (and part-owners) John Ryder, Simon O'Dowd and Wendy Fleming were founding members and trustees of Health Ed Trust (NZ) Inc - a charitable trust that has educated over 25,000 aged care workers in NZQA approved courses. The trust has merged with the Industry Training Organisation, Careerforce.


Shareholders and Directors

john ryder

John Ryder M.Com (Hons), FCA, CMA

Executive Chairman

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    John is a chartered accountant, cost and management accountant, a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Accountants, and was joint founder and joint Managing Director (for 18 years) of listed company Ryman Healthcare. 


    He was a national executive member of both the NZ Aged Care Association and the NZ Retirement Villages Association, and the 3rd person to be elected to the Australasian Housing Hall of Fame, for his outstanding contribution to the development of the Seniors Housing Industry in New Zealand. John has written an investment book: Global Investing – a Guide for New Zealanders . He has been a director of three listed public companies and, in 2021, John was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame.

simon o'dowd

Simon O’Dowd

Managing Director

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    Simon has been the National President of the NZ Aged Care Association for over 20 years – which has as members around 80% of the employers in the overall New Zealand aged care sector. He is also on the board of the Retirement Villages Association. 


    Simon has been actively involved in representing the sector on most of the major government and industry study groups, including the ARRC negotiations with district health boards, and was a founder and trustee of NZQA education provider Health Ed Trust (Inc). Simon has owned and managed care facilities for over 25 years.

jeremy o'dowd

Jeremy O’Dowd

Director

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    Jeremy has worked in the aged care industry for 25 years, and has a leading role in the day to day operations. He is the director in charge of sales and marketing and the director managing the master planning and design of villages and facilities. 


    He takes a keen interest in the aesthetic and architectural characteristics of villages and resorts across the country.

wendy fleming

Wendy Fleming RGON, CRSNZ

Director

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    Wendy is a Companion of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Honorary Vice President of Alzheimers Disease International (an international body of over 105 member countries), Life member Alzheimers New Zealand, Patron Dementia Canterbury, Past Chair Alzheimers New Zealand Charitable Trust and Member Oversight Board Centre of Brain Research, Auckland.


    Wendy is a registered nurse.



kerry mason

Kerry Mason FNZIA

Director

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    Kerry is a registered architect and a fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Architects. He was a founding partner of Christchurch architectural firm +MAP and was previously Managing Director of Warren and Mahoney. 


    Kerry has won a wide range of awards for residential, resort and commercial buildings and is highly respected for his design skills. Qestral’s modus operandi is to provide residents with individuality and flare in their houses, apartments and care facilities and Kerry’s appointment to the Board signifies the importance the company places on innovative design.

John-Strowger

John Strowger LLB

Director

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    John Strowger has been a senior partner in Chapman Tripp, Auckland, specialising in corporate, contract and securities law, mergers and acquisitions. 


    He has also been at the legal forefront of the private equity investment industry in New Zealand. John was named NZ Deal Maker of the Year at the 2017 Australasian Law Awards. He is a director of listed companies Skellerup and Sanford.

John-Strowger

Gavin Lonergan BBUS,CA

Director

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    Gavin is a director of Direct Capital, New Zealand’s leading private equity management company, which was founded in 1994. He is a previous Chair of the New Zealand Private Capital Association and is also a director of the Caci Group.

John-Strowger

Mary-Anne Stone MPH, DPH, BA

Director

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    Mary-Anne has 30 years of experience in NZ Health Management, and completed her Masters in Population Health focusing on health services for aging populations.  Her experience includes senior management roles across Primary Care, Hospice, Community Nursing, Home and Community Support, Residential Aged Care and Retirement Village Operations. She was previously a senior executive with Ryman Healthcare.