New Auckland retirement village named in honour of Sir Murray Halberg

Ryman Healthcare has named its new retirement village on Tropicana Drive in Lynfield in honour of sporting and charity legend Sir Murray Halberg.

Sir Murray became a household name in New Zealand in the 1950s and 1960s as a talented long-distance runner with a string of successes on the athletics track.

He competed at the Empire Games in Vancouver in 1954 and the Olympics in Melbourne in 1956, before winning a gold medal in the Empire Games in the three-mile event at Cardiff in 1958.

Sir Murray’s greatest success came at the Rome Olympics in 1960, when he took gold in the 5000 metres.

He also won the three miles at the Empire Games in Perth in 1962 and set world two and three miles records. He was also the first New Zealander to run a mile in under four minutes.

Sir Murray put the fame he gained through athletics to good use.

In 1963 he founded the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation with the aim of ensuring that all New Zealanders, regardless of their ability, should have equal opportunity to enhance their lives through sport and recreation.

Since 1963, Sir Murray and his Foundation have worked tirelessly to make that vision a reality for New Zealand's physically disabled people and has helped thousands of children realise their dreams through sport.

He is also the name behind the annual Halberg Sports Awards, New Zealand’s premier annual awards event. He spotted the potential to revitalise what were the New Zealand Sports Awards in the 1960s, turning them into a highlight of the country’s annual calendar.

Ryman Chief Executive Gordon MacLeod said it was an honour to name the village after such a significant Kiwi.

“Sir Murray is a visionary New Zealander who epitomises Kiwi values. As an athlete he was world class, overcoming extreme odds to become the best in the world through sheer hard work and determination.

“He then used that fame to help countless disabled New Zealanders realise their dreams and to enhance their lives.

“Sir Murray has achieved great things while being kind, modest and completely focussed on others. If there were more Sir Murray Halbergs about, the world would be a better place.’’

“We are honoured to be able to name the village after this fine Aucklander, and I am sure it is a name that everyone in our village community will be proud of.’’

Construction of the new Murray Halberg Retirement Village on Tropicana Drive in Lynfield began last year and its first residents moved in last month.

The village will offer a full range of retirement living options with care tailored to each resident’s needs.

The village will include independent apartments, serviced apartments as well as a care centre with resthome, hospital and dementia-level care options.

Residents will also be able to enjoy an indoor swimming pool, spa, gymnasium, hairdressing and beauty salons, café, movie theatre, library, a bar and billiards room.

About Ryman: Ryman Healthcare was founded in Christchurch in 1984 and owns and operates 33 retirement villages in New Zealand and Australia. Ryman villages are home to 11,000 residents, and the company employs 5,000 staff.

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