Abbeyfield House in Katikati

29/09/2026

We farewell Brittany and welcome Anna 💛

Brittany has been part of Abbeyfield House Katikati since we first opened our doors, working as one of our housekeepers and helping to make the house feel like home.

Thank you, Brittany, for your delicious meals and baking, your care and support for our residents, and for being such a valued part of the team. We wish you all the very best for what comes next.

And a warm welcome to Anna, who is stepping into Brittany’s role as our weekend housekeeper. We’re delighted to have you join the Abbeyfield team!
(Photo: Left - Brittany; Right - Anna)

25/09/2026

We’re delighted to introduce two new faces who have recently joined the Abbeyfield House WBOP Committee. 👋👋
Meet Michael (Mike) O’Donnell:
Mike brings a wealth of experience from a varied career spanning education and IT. With qualifications in architectural draughting and teaching, he spent 30 years in education as a Secondary School Workshop Technology Teacher and, more recently, in Deputy Principal roles. He also spent eight years working in the IT industry.
Mike and his wife Jacqui “retired” to Katikati eight years ago, and he’s delighted to now be part of the Abbeyfield team.
Meet Fiona Powell:
A former Katikati College student, Fiona returned to Katikati around eight years ago and has been involved with a wide range of local community organisations ever since.
With a background in marketing and communications, she has worked with SuperGrans, Katikati Open Air Art, Katch Katikati, Western Bay Museum, Katikati Community Centre and Katikati Community Led Development.
Currently undergoing breast cancer treatment, Fiona is a big fan of what Abbeyfield House has achieved in Katikati and is looking forward to contributing to its ongoing success.
A very warm welcome to Mike and Fiona! We’re delighted to have you both on board as we continue supporting our wonderful Abbeyfield House community. 💚

16/09/2026

Residents of Abbeyfield Houses 🏠🏠 across New Zealand recently gave feedback on their experiences of living at Abbeyfield – and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive with residents saying they felt happy and safe and they valued the sense of community, companionship and of feeling at home.
And the best news is that we have an Abbeyfield House right here in Katikati!
👉 If you, a friend or family member would like to find out more about becoming a resident at Abbeyfield House Katikati, you can register your interest here:
https://www.abbeyfield.co.nz/residents-preliminary-enquiry/

10/09/2026

We were delighted to welcome Scott Simpson MP to Abbeyfield House Katikati last week, along with David MacLeod MP for New Plymouth.
With plans for an Abbeyfield House in New Plymouth, it was a great opportunity for David to see what’s possible when a group of passionate, determined people come together with a vision, along with the backing of a supportive local community.
We were delighted to share a little of the Abbeyfield Katikati journey and what makes our house such a special place to call home. 🏠🧡

The Abbeyfield House in Katikati has been fully operational for nearly a year. Independent shared living for 14 seniors had been the dream of the local organising committee for many years. There are plans for a similar Abbeyfield House in New Plymouth so being able to introduce David MacLeod MP for New Plymouth to the Katikati team and show him around was very timely.

02/09/2026

Abbeyfield House in Katikati is hiring! Sunday Housekeeper - every Sunday 9.30am-5.30pm - could this be you? See poster for details.
👉 Send your CV and cover letter to [email protected], Ph 0274 579 686

26/08/2026

26/08/2026

Good food is an important part of life at Abbeyfield House Katikati – and residents enjoy two freshly prepared meals every day. 🍽️
During the week, those meals are created from scratch (including produce from the garden) by Head Housekeeper Trudie Robinson – and she certainly knows her way around a kitchen!
You might recognise Trudie as a former MasterChef contestant, past co-owner of Chrome Café, and former Food & Beverage Manufacturing Tutor at PCTI.
Resident favourites include a traditional roast dinner and Fish & Chip Friday – and then, of course, there’s Trudie’s home baking… chocolate chip cookies, caramel slice and plenty more... 😋
Great food, shared around the table, is all part of the Abbeyfield way of life. 💚
👉If you, a friend or family member would like to find out more about becoming a resident at Abbeyfield House Katikati, you can register your interest here:
https://www.abbeyfield.co.nz/residents-preliminary-enquiry/

18/08/2026

At our recent AGM for Abbeyfield House WBOP, Isabel Ford was made a Life Member of Abbeyfield House WBOP. 🎉🎉
Over the past seven years, Isabel has played an enormous part in turning the vision of an Abbeyfield House in Katikati into reality.
From leading the strategic team and helping secure vital funding, to supporting fundraising events, working closely with the building team throughout construction, and helping select our first residents, Isabel has given countless hours, energy and expertise to the project.
Her contribution has been immense, and we’re incredibly grateful for everything she has done to help make Abbeyfield House Katikati what it is today.
Isabel is currently off enjoying a very different adventure - exploring the world by bike – so we only have a file photo of her to share!
Thank you, Isabel! 💚

12/08/2026

Meet Bill Rae – Abbeyfield House WBOP Committee Member and talented woodturner. 🌳🌲
When a walnut tree had to be removed to make way for Abbeyfield House, Bill made sure a special part of it would live on 💚. He transformed the timber into this stunning bowl, along with several other handcrafted pieces that were auctioned to help raise funds for the new house.
Now the walnut has come full circle, with Bill’s bowl taking pride of place in Abbeyfield House’s shared living space – a beautiful connection between the site’s past and its new chapter.

09/08/2026

Can you help? 🧡 One of our residents here at Abbeyfield House in Katikati, is a keen chess player ♟️♟️ and he’s wanting other residents to join him for a game – but he has no chess set.
If you have an unwanted chess set gathering dust that you’d like to donate please let Carole know on email: [email protected] – and let the games begin!
Thank you!