Manager of the Year 2009

Denise Te Tai

Denise Te Tai, manager of Selwyn Heights, Hillsborough, has been named the INsite/RVA Manager of the Year for 2009.

Denise, who is known for her ‘straight-up and honest’ approach, has guided Hillsborough through a challenging period with extensive and disruptive on-site developments.

“It was a huge honour to get that kind of recognition,” says Denise. “And the residents are absolutely thrilled – they have been lifted so much.” Denise found the resident-driven component of the inaugural awards a key to its success. “It’s great that it was initiated by the residents, because it then gave them ownership. It’s been a wonderful experience and I am thrilled, not only for myself, but for the residents and the (Selwyn) foundation. It’s a great inclusion to the RVA conference.”

According to John Collyns, CEO of the RVA, the awards were implemented as a way of both celebrating the sector’s achievements, and sharing innovative ideas. Denise agrees, and cites finalist Debbie Powell of Selwyn St Andrews, Cambridge, work as an example. “Seeing the way Debbie is forging links with the wider community is great,” she says.
Denise has developed a manager’s manual for easy compliance with retirement-related regulations and legislation, and has fostered a culture of customer service rather than care.

Collyns says that Denise’s presentation to conference clearly impressed the judges because of the caring community she and her team have created as well as the challenges of rebuilding the village around the old buildings. “But I understand that it was a very hard decision to make, as each finalist brought their own strengths to the award.”

Judges said that not only has she had the day to day management of two villages, she has also had to facilitate a huge shift in the residents’ expectation because of a change of ownership.

2010 Manager of the Year entry information