
Gulf Rise News
What's the latest at Gulf Rise? Browse below to see.From artist to teacher


Weekly art classes at Gulf Rise are unlocking hidden talents for a group of creative residents.
Each Wednesday, a handful of aspiring artists congregate in the Pavilion at Gulf Rise using pencils, paint and paper to bring their visions to life. The brainchild of village resident and accomplished painter June Lamont, the new classes have taken on a creative direction of their own.
“My original idea was to get a few people who already painted together, so we could practice in company – but no one who turned up had painted before, so I’ve somehow become an art teacher,” laughs June.
Fortunately, she loves it!
“It’s been great. Getting involved is the best way to meet people and I’m constantly amazed at how many residents have such interesting backgrounds.”
June teaches students about observation, light and shade, and colour and inspires them with ideas of what to paint, and how to paint it.
“I try to make it fun and not too serious. They love it, and really look forward to the classes. Finishing an artwork creates such a sense of achievement and painting also exercises the brain because you have to look at things in a different way to interpret them on paper.”
June has dabbled in art since childhood but didn’t develop a serious practice until in her forties. Since then she has successfully exhibited and sold her work and been a valued member of local painting groups and art centres.
Heartwarming pen pal story hits the headlines
During the Covid19 lockdown, Gulf Rise Sales Executive Michelle Pipping came up with a brilliant plan to connect residents of the village with local kids in the community, and keep her 6-year old, Holly, busy at the same time.


With Holly’s help, she organised for more than 60 children from the local community to write letters and draw pictures for residents at Gulf Rise and neighbouring Hibiscus Coast Village.
Pat Jeffries, who lives at Gulf Rise, was thrilled to be paired up with pen pal Holly. They exchanged letters and bonded over their love of cats. The whole experience had been “just lovely” according Pat, 78, “it gave me a great deal of warmth and pleasure.”
Many residents are still in touch with their pen pals, with plans for a meet up event where the kids can meet their pen pals in person in the pipeline now restrictions have lifted.
The story also hit the headlines, featuring on the Stuff.co.nz website during lockdown.
Press Releases
July 05, 2019
Retirement firm calls in the architects
Distinctive rows of white brick and bronze aluminium-clad architecturally-designed saw tooth-roofed townhouses have risen at a Metlifecare project under construction north of Auckland.
August 24, 2018
People no longer want to live in fortress-like gated retirement villages
Open, sunny communal spaces are demanded by Baby Boomers considering moving into a retirement village. this is an artist's impression of a communal garden for people and bees that will be created at Metlifecare's Gulf Rise retirement village.
August 31, 2018
A gate-free retirement village? It's happening - in New Zealand
Village operator Metlifecare has announced it will start construction on its Gulf Rise village near Auckland - its first to be designed with borders open to the surrounding community.
Blog Topics
Growing a social heart: landscape design at Gulf Rise
Landscape architects Boffa Miskell have designed many of the outdoor spaces at Metlifecare villages, including Gulf Rise. Their aim? Creating beautiful, practical spaces for residents to own and enjoy. Creating a community is about building...
read moreNew resident’s croc hunting past a talking point
Bodil Leitch will bring some very interesting work stories with her when she moves into the village in the coming months. The newest addition to the Gulf Rise community made headlines recently, due to the time she spent as a crocodile hunter in...
read moreIntroducing Jarrod
A supermarket encounter was the catalyst for Gulf Rise village manager Jarrod Shearer’s career change. How did you find yourself in this sector? I spent my early career working in the Customer Service Agency of Dunedin City Council. It taught me...
read moreMore in Store Magazine
The Summer 2019/20 edition of Metlifecare's More in Store magazine is out now.This issue has a new look and feel and, for the first time, we're proud to be enviro-mark Gold Certified, meaning we use paper from well-managed forests and BIO-inks. In this...
read more