David Hall in 2019 when announcing a new development phase.
David Hall’s legacy at Cambridge Resthaven will long be remembered, but several anecdotes teased at his farewell last week suggest he may be remembered for more besides.
David Hall, centre, with former Resthaven nurse Sue Crowe, his wife Rachael Hall, Taupō MP Louise Upston, former board chair Sarah Barns Graham, and Cambridge Resthaven Trust Board chairman Greg Liddy. Photo: Viv Posselt
Emcee Jon Broadley and Cambridge Resthaven Trust Board chairman Greg Liddy revealed the facts cementing his legacy over a quarter century.
When Hall arrived in 2001, Cambridge Resthaven employed 55 staff to assist around 110 residents at the Vogel St site, 60 residents in the rest home, and 50 residents in the cottages and apartments. Under his stewardship, that grew to 145 staff supporting around 260 residents across the two sites (Resthaven on Vogel and Resthaven on Burns), and 150 residents in the apartments, cottages, and villas in Vogel St. Another 21 apartments are on the way.
Pictured with the 3D model of the new development are Cambridge Resthaven Trust Board chair Kevin Monks, project and sales manager Sandra Fairhurst, Cambridge Resthaven CEO David Hall, and Chibnall Buckell Team Architects director Dominic Buckell.
That growth, plus his ‘foresight and drive’ and team-building ability was lauded by Liddy. He said Hall had driven Resthaven’s growth, including the expansion of the village in Vogel St, the inclusion of Resthaven on Burns, and the completion in 2024 of Stage One of a multi-million-dollar development that included the Hanlin Building. Stages 2 and 3 of that development are ongoing.
Hall is stepping down after almost 25 years as Cambridge Resthaven chief executive. He was the first male manager in the role, said Sarah Barns Graham, who was chairperson when Hall joined Resthaven.
The DHB man, who went on to gain his master’s in health management through Auckland University, gave himself three years in the job, then applied for another.
“I got ready for the interview, then thought ‘what the hell am I doing here’ … so I stopped the process and came back. That was a good decision. I’ve been able to develop the place and the team in the way I wanted to.
“I had three key themes I wanted to develop. One was to build a leadership team where individuals felt they were left to do the job they were employed to do while I worked on the business. I wanted to work with people in partnerships so we could support each other in delivering what was needed in terms of aged care, and I wanted to get to the stage when I never said no to a request, mainly because I trusted the team wouldn’t bring me a request that wasn’t essential. They’re not a ‘yes’ team and I’ve been happy with that.”
An artist’s impression of the Hanlin Building, which is the first stage of Cambridge Resthaven’s multi-million-dollar development.
Hall stated his aversion to following budgets, claiming they were ‘backward looking’ and there would never be enough resources anyway to do everything he wanted to do.
He joked about the three Rachels in his life, having to make sure he remembered which one he was dealing with – Rachael his wife, Rachel at work or Rachel the bank manager. “Only once have I mixed them up, and that was just for a coffee appointment.”
“It’s time for me …. I need to slow down a bit.”
Open for business, one of the apartments has a stunning view of Maungatautari. In front of it, from left Livingstone Building project manager Samantha Blanken, Resthaven chair Greg Liddy, Chibnall Buckell Team Architects’ Dominic Buckell, Octa project manager Scott McVicar-Lukey and Resthaven CEO David Hall on the balcony. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
His send-off was addressed by nurse Sue Crowe, who retired recently from Resthaven after 34 years. She said Hall had quickly adapted to the ‘outspoken women’ he faced when new to the job and didn’t ruffle too many feathers as he introduced his own management style.
Cambridge Resthaven differs from most retirement villages in that it is fully community-owned and is run by a volunteer-led Cambridge Resthaven Trust Board.
Taupō MP Louise Upston thanked Hall for his tenacious advocacy for the wider Cambridge community.
“I started my role in 2008, and of anyone in any leadership role in the electorate, David Hall is probably one who has been here the longest and who has probably knocked on my door the most often. At just about every meeting, he would be there wanting to show me his next project.
“It has been extraordinary… more so because Resthaven is community-owned. He made me understand the difference and made sure the voice of retirement villages was heard by government.
“I am enormously proud of the work he has done at the helm of Cambridge Resthaven to ensure that every effort has been made to make the lives of residents better.”
After the karakia on one of the apartment balconies looking towards Maungatautari. Back row, from left: Jeff Simpson, Independent Living Manager, Cambridge Resthaven, Harry Wilson, Ngāti Koroki Kahukura , Jon Broadley, Strategy+ Ltd, Dean Burdett, Chibnall Buckell Team Architects, Dominic Buckell, Chibnall Buckell Team Architects, Samantha Blanken, Project Manager, Livingstone Building Ltd, Mia Sonntag, OCTA Project Management.
Front row: Fabian Neuhauser, Senior Quantity Surveyor, ECS Group, Greg Liddy, Chair Cambridge Resthaven Trust Board, Scott McVicar-Lukey, OCTA Project Management. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
