We weren’t losing anything, we were gaining a new life

Eddie & Dianne’s Summerset Milldale story.

Before Summerset, Eddie and Dianne Collett had already packed a lifetime into their years. They met as young airline crew in Wellington, Eddie a First Officer, Dianne cabin crew with the National Airways Corporation (NAC). The couple married in 1971, and a short while later the first of three children arrived. After the NAC/Air NZ merger, they relocated to Auckland and Dianne poured her energy into keeping the family humming through Eddie’s international rosters for Air New Zealand.

After 45-years in their much-loved Murrays Bay home with sea views and a pool, everything changed. “I walked out onto the brand-new deck in slippers,” recalled Eddie. “One leg just took off… I very badly broke my other leg.” Recovery meant wheelchairs, ramps and hard questions. “We realised we weren’t foolproof anymore.” Their son, who had quietly worried about the stairs and home maintenance, arrived on Mother’s Day with a Summerset Milldale brochure.

The couple visited Summerset’s Milldale village on a beautiful day, admired the rural outlook and felt something click. “I said to Eddie, I think we can do this,” said Dianne. “We tend to be decisive,” added Eddie. “We came back the following day and signed.”

From the moment they arrived, the Collett’s felt embraced by the village community. “You wash your car, and it takes an hour because everyone stops to chat,” laughed Dianne. “And Wednesday drinks, nobody is ever late.” New neighbours quickly became close friends, the kind who notice if your garage is open, or a car window’s down. “People are watching your back,” said Eddie. “Being a gated community adds to our security and peace of mind. And if anything happens, help is at hand.”

After decades managing a large property, practical worries faded, too. “At our age, climbing ladders is not on,”said Eddie. “Summerset washes the villa exterior, clean the gutters, mow the lawns. It’s all taken care of.” Village security also makes the 'lock and leave' lifestyle effortless. “We went on a six-week trip, and it was so nice to just lock the door and go,” said Dianne. “Coming home all you have to do is unpack your suitcase, it’s bliss.” They’re off again to Japan for the cherry blossoms, followed by a Viking cruise. “Our children complain they can never get hold of us,” she giggled. “We have more of a social life than they do!”

Perhaps the greatest gift is what it’s meant for their family. “Our children don’t have to worry about us anymore,” said Dianne. “Don’t leave it too late. Don’t burden your kids,” added Eddie. Most of all, the move reframed how they think about home. “We thought we’d miss the view,” said Eddie. “But halfway through selling, we stopped worrying about what we were losing. We were looking forward to what we were going to.” Asked if they have any regrets, Dianne doesn’t hesitate: “Once you move in, you never regret it.” Eddie agreed, “We weren’t giving something up, we were gaining a new life.”