Ryman’s newest village honours Father of Auckland

Ryman’s newest village honours Father of Auckland

Logan Campbell Retirement Village – it’s official!

Ryman Healthcare is naming its newest Auckland village after the man known as the father of Auckland, Sir John Logan Campbell (1817 – 1912).

The man whose legacy has helped to preserve Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill and its surrounding land in Cornwall Park as a beautiful amenity for Aucklanders was the overwhelming choice of name for the residents of the soon-to-be opened village.

Ryman Healthcare’s chief executive Gordon MacLeod said he loved the choice of Logan Campbell as it was a name that would forever be associated with the area.

“The new village is on Campbell Road and looks out towards Cornwall Park and Logan Campbell’s final resting place on One Tree Hill.

“His contribution to public life was so pivotal to the creation of the city of Auckland as we know it today that in his lifetime he became known as the Father of Auckland.

“It is therefore particularly appropriate for us to honour the man who is so integral to this part of Auckland.”

Jan Saussey and Gail Tennent-Brown are two of the first residents set to move into the village next year. They were both thrilled to be at today’s naming event where they discovered their apartments would face each other.

Jan and Gail helped Mr MacLeod reveal the large sign showing the new village name and logo which includes the obelisk on top of One Tree Hill.

Afterwards they each received a copy of Michael Horton’s new book based on Logan Campbell’s letters and journals, Reminiscences of a Long Life: John Logan Campbell as a thank you for their support of the village.

Mr MacLeod also paid tribute to Project Manager Antony Williams and his 300-plus team of construction workers, a large number of which gathered for a group photo next to the new village sign to make a sea of high-vis!

“They’ve faced a few challenges during the course of the build, not least having to persevere through Auckland’s fourth wettest winter on record, but they have nevertheless rallied and risen to meet each challenge to bring us closer to finishing what will be our 32nd village,” Mr MacLeod said.

There will be 116 independent apartments ranging from one to three-bedroomed in size and 82 serviced apartments. A full range of care options has also been factored into the village with 120 care suites which include resthome, hospital and dementia care.

Among the amenities on site are an all-weather bowling green, petanque court, indoor heated swimming pool, spa, library, gymnasium, hair and beauty salon, bar and shop.

Interestingly, it was John Logan Campbell who built the first house in Auckland, named Acacia Cottage, and opened the first shop.

But it was a combination of his many business ventures and his contribution to public life that endeared him to the people of Auckland.

It got to the point where no ceremonial occasion was complete without his presence, and he was subsequently acclaimed the Father of Auckland.

As a way to express his mutual fondness for Auckland he donated his remaining farmland at One Tree Hill to the city for public use, establishing an endowment which is still managed by the Cornwall Park Trust Board today.

Campbell received a knighthood in 1902 and when he died in 1912 at the age of 94 he was buried on the summit of One Tree Hill in the middle of Cornwall Park.

The village boasts elevated views of the park, the Sky Tower and across to Rangitoto Island and to the Manukau Harbour in the south.

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