11/06/2026
Get to know Jo, our manager at Golden View and Ripponburn Villages!
With a connection to the region stemming from childhood, Jo is passionate about giving locals the option of affordable and high-quality aged care with heart in Central Otago:
𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻
My grandmother lived close to Cromwell, in the Nevis. Despite not growing up in Central Otago, I spent my summers as a child here and have always felt strongly connected to the area and the lifestyle. Moving to Cromwell with my young family six years ago was a no-brainer.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲?
While my job is operational in nature, I have deep respect, understanding and empathy for our village residents – which is vital to the role. Meeting our residents and getting to learn about their past and life experiences is my favourite part of working here. It’s very rewarding to see residents come in and find purpose, create new friendships and establish a community for themselves.
I am very proud of the care that we provide, and it is particularly gratifying when children of residents express their appreciation for what we do.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀?
We’re in a distinctive part of Central Otago – we’re at a centre point and within easily accessible distance to other key locations like Queenstown, Wanaka, Clyde and Arrowtown. In Cromwell, we are within walking distance to the town which gives our residents independence – they don’t need to drive, which makes it easy for them to enjoy their environment.
We are uniquely placed to provide affordable and high quality retirement living in Central Otago, as well as the ability to transition onto onsite hospital care – our residents have the security of knowing that option is there for them when the time is right.
Having opened five years ago, we are still keen to implement new ideas and propositions, evolving to give our residents and the Cromwell community the care they need over time.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀?
I’m looking forward to embracing new practices to make our operations more sustainable and innovative – automated lawn mowers have been a game changer for us, and there are other plans in the works!
We also want to give more back to our Cromwell community and are looking into ways in which we can do this meaningfully, such as through events and sponsorships.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸?
My husband and I have developed a high-density cherry orchard from bare land and utilised an advanced training system that was trialled in the US, in order to simplify pruning, increase light and produce higher yields. In the weekends, I get on the tools and help to do odd jobs around the orchard!
I love my sports and I like to do adventure racing with friends, which comprises of kayaking, mountain biking and hiking in a team event. My most recent events have been Spirited Women and the Queenstown 10km running race.
I also coach gymnastics under the NZ Gymnastics syllabus for our Cromwell primary and high school kids.
Contact Jo directly by emailing [email protected].
