The Masonic Trust Story
We believe every elderly person has a right to a place they can call home regardless of age, stage of life, means or needs.
Napier District Masonic Trust
A Brief History of the Napier District Masonic Trust
The Napier District Masonic Trust is proud to have assisted the aged in our community for the past 60 years. They have taken the learnings from our history and brought about a new focused growth strategy which will ensure the organisation is in the best shape possible to cater for the growing future needs and tailored support of the Napier elderly.
1956
On the 7th of November 1956, a committee of Masonic Brethren considered ways and means to provide benevolent support to Hawke’s Bay’s aged community including Freemasons. Ideas were examined and refined over many months, and agreement was reached in their decision to build housing for the elderly. This required the formation of a Trust to build and administer the Flats. Victoria Lodge agreed to make $8,000 available from their funds and to purchase suitable land in Morris Spence Avenue, Napier. Planning was approved, and a substantial subsidy was obtained.
1961-1969
1961 - The Napier District Masonic Trust was duly Incorporated on 1st December 1961 under the Charitable Trust Act 1957, the culmination of 5 years work. The Trust project was approved by the Grand Lodge of New Zealand who also contributed a generous grant of $4,000 toward the costs.
1963 - twelve new flats were opened and from the outset it became apparent that demand was high.
1964 - A further twelve flats were built on the Morris Spence site, they were named the Victoria Flats.
1965 - Mr George Laird was the first non-freemason to be appointed to the Board.
1968 - Nine single pensioner flats were built in Holyrood Street and were known as the Omarunui flats.
1969 - The Scinde Masonic flats of fifteen units were built and land for the future Waiohiki Flats was purchased.
1973
1973
A further five flats were built on the Scinde site and building began on the Waiohiki flats. These comprised eight double and two single units.
A further six units were added to the Omarunui Masonic flats on Holyrood Street, bringing the total to fifteen.
1980-89
1981 - In 1981 the Bill Dobson Trust was set up to financially assist secondary school students within Napier District setting out for university. Over 40 years almost $500,000 has been awarded in Scholarships.
1983 - the Trust built five flats in Elbourne Street next to the Omaranui Lodge. It was during this year the Trust made their most significant land purchase from Mr Montgomery, comprising of three acres and situated close to the Taradale shopping centre.
1985 - Work began on the development of the Montgomery land with sixteen units under construction. Two additional units were added in 1994.
1986 - Construction began in Wairoa on the Waikaremoana flats where four units were built.
1987 - During this year the Trust began its most ambitious project to date with the building of a 50-bed care home. The project stretched the Trusts financial resources to the limit, but a Health Department subsidy provided sufficient funds to complete the building. All of Napier’s lodges assisted by financing one thousand debentures at $250 each, raising $250,000 in total. Once the Taradale Rest Home was completed, it was inspected by the chief advisor to the Ministry of Health. The advisor was impressed with the service and facilities provided and felt that a hospital wing would be a further asset. The wing was completed in 1991.
1989 - The Trust purchased three units at 11 Devonshire Place.
1990-96
Trustees attended an Australasian Masonic Conference on aged care in 1990 and their learning brought about a change of approach to the design of the Napier Masonic Trust retirement flats and villages.
Basic features that still apply today were adopted with safety a priority and included wheelchair access through all doorways and integrated garages with automatic opening/closing doors.
1992 - A $3 million dollar project began on building the Mission View village without government assistance. The village was built under the Capital Contribution scheme and comprised of twenty-six units, an emergency coordinator’s home, and a community hall. A sophisticated Call/Alarm system was installed in each unit.
1993 - With demand for units increasing the Trust began building the Knightsbridge Village project, consisting of thirty-six units at a cost of $5 million. This village was officially opened in 1995.
In 1996 - With the success of Mission View and Knightsbridge and the constant demand for housing it was decided that a further village of thirty-five units was warranted. Equipped with the lessons learned from the Mission View and Knightsbridge projects, the Trust built Kensington village and made design improvements to cater for the added comfort and needs of residents. The total units built in the last three projects and over four years amounted to ninety-seven units and three carers’ homes, with halls and other facilities.
2007-09
2007
Six apartments and four studio units adjoining the Taradale Rest Home wing were completed. These buildings were designed to cater for the needs of those who wished to transition from their homes but were not ready for rest home care. A multi-purpose room was also included for use as a chapel, an interview room or where families were able to meet privately with a resident.
2009
Board Chair – Don McLeod
The Board appointed Mr Graeme Taylor to the General Manager role.
2011-19
2011
A further ten rooms were added to the Taradale Hospital Wing.
2013
A modern laundry was built with sufficient capacity to cater for the Trust needs well beyond current requirements.
2014
The Trust purchased Elmwood Home and Hospital in Nelson Crescent, Napier. This complex comprises of twenty-five dementia level care beds and fourteen hospital level care rooms with all facilities.
2019.
A new kitchen and dining room were added to the Devonshire Place complex with a total area of over 400 square meters. All equipment and furnishings were of the latest available models & designs.
Over a period of years, the trust also acquired Eton and Devon Streets properties in Taradale to establish a land bank for future development.
2020
Covid – Precautions were put in place throughout our villages and rest homes as covid restrictions took effect.
Property was purchased on Puketapu Rd.
09 November – Napier’s worst flooding in 57 years meant the evacuation and relocation of all the Scinde Village residents until their flats were dried out, renovated, and made habitable once again.
Board Chair Bernard Lock – retired December 2020
2021
2021
Covid continuation – restrictions reduced to Level 2 in September.
September – Graham Taylor resigned as General Manager after 12 years.
Five Devon Street villas were completed and fully occupied.
2022
Laureen Sutherland was appointed by the Trust as Board Chair.
The Elmwood Hospital upgrade commenced in April.
In May, Vicki Lee joined the Trust as CEO.
Health & Disability Sector Standards - Certification Audit September 2022 Taradale Rest Home & Hospital achieved 4yrs.
Healthcare Compliance Solutions Ltd (HCSL) software package was purchased. It is a New Zealand Nurse & Auditor designed aged care facility management tool, which guides and assists the organisation to meet compliance, operational and care planning needs efficiently, easily and in line with best practice. Implementation has begun at Elmwood.
2023
February 14th - Cyclone Gabrielle lashed Hawke’s Bay and our Emergency Response was tested beyond anyone’s expectations. Many residents were evacuated, and no damage was reported.
Napier District Masonic Trust
Other Charitable Activity
In addition to providing facilities for the welfare of the elderly, the NDMT Trust has assisted many other charitable organisations financially with their own projects and help is also given to individuals and families.
WT Dobson Scholarship – In 1990 a large bequest from the late Mr Bill Dobson was used to set up the WT Dobson Scholarships to assist a selection of students annually from Napier District’s secondary schools, as they set out on their tertiary studies.
Each student receives $6000 over 3 years. The scholarships are in recognition of the costs students face when attending a tertiary facility. Since its inception, more than $500,000 has been awarded in scholarships.
Gasperich Scholarship Fund – In 2023 the Trust established a scholarship fund for NDMT Health Care Assistants wishing to pursue a nursing career. $20,000 was spent in 2023 in support of nurse training courses.
Accommodation Support – Cyclone Gabrielle devastated properties throughout Hawke’s Bay in February 2023. The Trust assisted displaced staff members and their families with rental accommodation in the NDMT Villages.
In addition to this the NDMT supports and makes donations to other specified organisations.
Outward Bound
HB Cyclone Relief
Autism NZ – Annual Bowling Tournament
Kids Foundation
Heart Kids NZ – Annual Kids Day Out Variety Show
Caring Families NZ
Lions