Summerset Scene

We sit down with Summerset at Aotea resident Father Maurice Carmody who shares his goal of persuading the Vatican to recognise New Zealand’s first saint. We also talk to two artists from Hawke’s Bay and meet a miniature railway model maker from Taupo.

Our cover star Trish Scott has been serving up tennis games since she was a nipper, and at 84 has no intention of giving up her regular game. We also talk to a model plane maker, an author, and a violinist from the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra!

Read about Brenda and Dennis, and the dance moves that has seen them winning prizes for more than 30 years! We also meet a motorcycle enthusiast, a superb seamstress, a lock and key expert, and a resident who has been honoured by Queen Elizabeth II.

Taupo resident Peter Beazley shares some of his award-winning photos. His talent behind the camera has won recognition from the NZ Photographic Society. We meet a group of determined puzzle solvers from New Plymouth and a team of kind-hearted crafters and knitters from Dunedin. And we talked to an Ellerslie pair who are celebrating 80 years of friendship.

In this festive issue, we catch up with a Nelson resident who loves spreading good cheer as Santa — and you won’t believe how many years he's spent in the big red suit! We also learn how to make beautiful Christmas wreaths, and get ideas for easy festive cooking. We have another great range of interesting Summerset residents to meet, plus the regular favourites including puzzles, exercise tips and gardening advice.

Cover star Alison from New Plymouth supports a charity close to her heart — by selling teddy bears. She’s raised tens of thousands, and now has village friends involved, too. We also meet a doll-maker, a long-serving member of St John, an aircraft enthusiast, and a pair of hearty farmers. There’s certainly a great mix of characters in this edition!

June from Summerset on Cavendish shares her incredible story of living in East Timor during a time of political upheaval. Closer to home, a kind-hearted knitter tells us how she turned a hobby into a special project for children in need, and a boating fanatic shows off the intricate maritime models he carefully crafts from the spare room of his Auckland villa.

For our green issue, we chat with some inspirational environmentalists, and learn easy tips for living greener. Our cover star is Sir Alan Mark from our Dunedin village, a top scientist who was knighted for his incredible career in conservation. We also catch up with some recycling experts who are making meaningful changes in their local neighbourhoods, and take a peek inside a keen antique collector’s arty abode.

In this issue, a professional croquet coach shares her love for the game, and how she inspired a large group of fellow residents to become masters of the mallet. We travel to Nelson to see the wacky and wonderful designs at Summerset in the Sun’s annual Waste to Waist wearable art show, and we catch up with a Paraparaumu couple who have just celebrated a major milestone — their 75th wedding anniversary.

Spring weather is here, and so is the latest edition of Summerset Scene! Meet a humble Hamilton couple who have been recognised for their wonderful work with a local charity, as well as a group of Auckland residents who uncovered stories from the past for an impressive new book.

This issue is packed with pics galore, including the results of the popular resident’s photography competition, a sneak peek at a stunning photographic exhibition featuring Summerset in the Sun residents and their favourite hobbies, and scenes of village life during level four lockdown.

Cover star Denise takes us backstage at her local theatre where she keeps busy painting sets and crafting unusual props. We also chat with a scientist turned author about his adventures in the South Pole, and a former driving instructor tells us about his nerves of steel behind the wheel.

In this edition, we talk to Geoff Clarke and his wife Shirley. Golf fans will recognise the name — Geoff was a leading professional golfer in the 1970s and now lives in our Wigram village. We also meet a Dunedin resident who previously ran the National History New Zealand film unit, and learn how a Palmerston North resident has changed the lives of refugee families through donated sewing machines.

This issue features a wonderfully eclectic showcase of talent, from fashion designer Bill Miller to marathon man Peter Hanson who has over 100 medals — and is set to add even more to his collection. Meet a ‘doctor of hedgehogs’, and two fantastic embroiderers from Aotea who recently showed off their handiwork at a village exhibition.

Our cover star is Hobsonville resident Rex, who was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his contributions to sport and to the community. Read about a Taupo resident who worked for MI6, the British Secret Intelligence Service, without even knowing it, and we chat with two residents who didn’t expect to fall in love — let alone get married — after meeting at Summerset.

Meet Hobsonville resident Rona who travelled internationally with famous elderly Hip-Hop dance crew, Hip Op-eration, and Nelson resident Charlie who built NZ’s fastest car out of an old aircraft engine.

Read Marlene’s story of leaving city life to grow avocados and kiwifruit on a rural farm in the Bay of Plenty, and Hawke’s Bay man David talks about wool classing — a job he still does today!

Our Summer Issue marks one year of publication and is filled with stories of residents and celebrates life at Summerset. On the cover is Wigram resident Ron, who has restored the eight classic cars he still owns.

We also chat to Katikati artist Val, who painted one of the town's main murals, and Hamilton woodcarver Megan, who has set up a workshop in her serviced apartment.

Read about Napier resident Jeanette Barker, who represented New Zealand in diving in her younger years and then later on in life at masters level. 

We get a sneak peek at the new Summerset uniforms, as well as meeting some of Summerset Rototuna's newest residents, and as with every Summerset Scene issue, much, much more!

In this issue you can read about Justine, a Wigram resident who's off to compete in the upcoming World Masters Athletics Champions in Spain.

Also meet Napier resident Primrose, who was one of the region's first female pilots, and Lloyd in our Trentham village, who has taken some remarkable photography of New Zealand's landscape.

Meet cover-couple Jan and Nora who have made an impression on Summerset’s Hobsonville village with their love for the sea. Read about Ellerslie resident Margaret, who was named as a semi-finalist for Senior New Zealander of the Year thanks to her 40 years of service to GirlGuiding; and enjoy Sidney’s story about being one of the country’s longest serving hairdressers.

Our first edition is full of exciting stories about our residents and activities at our villages, including the love story of Herman and Helen at Aotea village, and a great read on bone carver and Summerset Dunedin resident Eric. You’ll also find a range of columns, including those by gardening guru Lynda Hallinan and home cook Jan Bilton, book reviews, a travel article about Twizel, and brain teasers to keep you busy!