Between March and July 2010, the Rannerdale Trust undertook a major refurbishment of the Kowhai and Manuka Wings. These wings, which had previously seen little but cosmetic change since Rannerdale was built at its current site in 1956, have been modernised and upgraded to accomodate future hospital residents. As well as upgrading the bedrooms, the work that has been done includes the construction of new bathroom areas and the addition of a wheelchair accessible toilet for visitors.

Rannerdale wishes to thank the following organisations for their generous support in helping to make this project possible:

On the 17th and 18th of May 2010, Rannerdale was audited against the Health and Disability Services Standards (NZS8134:2008), and was certified to provide residential care services for a period of three years.

Certification against these standards is mandatory for all health care service providers in order to meet the regulatory requirements of the Health and Disability Services (Safety) Act 2001. The standards were designed to ensure that safe and reasonable services are provided to consumers using those services, and to reduce the risk to consumers from those services. Following each audit, the Ministry of Health certifies the provider for a set period of time, at the end of which the provider must be reaudited.

In May 2010, Rannerdale was accredited by the New Zealand Nursing Counci to provide Competency Assessment Programmes (CAP) for qualified registered nurses seeking to obtain a New Zealand Practising Certificate. The programmes are aimed at New Zealand qualified registered nurses who have been out of the workforce for five or more years and who are seeking to return, and for foreign registered nurses who want to practise in New Zealand.

The Competency Assessment Programmes involve some teaching components and working alongside students to assess their competency at required nursing disciplines. At the completion of the programme, assessments are forwarded to the Nursing Council who use the information provided to grant (or not to grant) a Practising Certificate to each student.

Rannerdale is only the second provider In Christchurch, after the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, to be accredited to provide Competency Assessment Programmes.

Periodically, Rannerdale's General Manager, Steve Shamy, puts out a newsletter to residents and their families keeping them abreast of recent happenings and items of interest about the Home.

ANZAC Day 2010 was commemorated at Rannerdale in traditional fashion with a 10am service for residents, their families and friends, and invited guests.

Preceded by an inspection of the guard of honour by resident Roy Milligan, the service was attended by approximately 200 guests and was followed by refreshments and an opportunity to socialise.

'Old Soldiers Never Die' was written to mark the 50th Jubilee year of Rannerdale at it current site in Hansons Lane, Upper Riccarton, in Christchurch. This pictorial history traces a half century of care of ex-servicemen and women at the current site. It incudes some pre-history of the war veterans homes in Christchurch, and extends to descriptions of the Hansons Lane site, the residents and staff over the years, the supporters, visitors, special events and some of the lighter moments in the lives of those at Rannerdale.

We are often approached by veterans or their families for information on how to apply for military medals and/or service records. Information on the process for applying for medals and records can be obtained by visiting the website of the New Zealand Defence Force.