Elms Court was founded by Steve’s Mum and Dad, Jenny and Maurice Burke in 1992. Jenny and Maurice bought a small run down home called Emmanuel House, with only 8 residents. This has been extended, modernised and the home is still part of our family of homes today, Elms Court Rest Home.
Jenny and Maurice Burke buy Emmanuel House, a small home with only 8 residents. Extended and modernised, it is still with us today as Elms Court Rest Home.
Steve buys the home from his parents whilst still working in the Police. Two years later he leaves to begin his career in aged care, managing Elms Court Rest Home.
Sarah (now manager of Elms Court Gardens) joins the team as Clinical Manager, working alongside Steve at Elms Court Rest Home.
Roz (Steve’s wife) continues to manage Elms Court Rest Home while Steve buys Maidstone Life Care from Heritage and rebrands it Elms Court Life Care. This is where we met Kate, initially our Office Manager.
We buy The Maples from Arvida, rebranding it Elms Court Village. Steve continues to this day managing its day to day operations as Village Manager.
Richard Deuchrass, Steve’s brother-in-law, joins as Assistant Manager at Elms Court Village. In 2024 Steve and Richard buy Middlepark Life Care from Oceania and rebrand it Elms Court on Middlepark, which Richard manages.
Litty, our Clinical Manager at Elms Court Village, buys a share in Elms Court Rest Home and becomes its Facility Manager. Roz continues to support the whole team.
Steve and Sarah buy Mayfair from Arvida and rebrand it Elms Court Gardens, with Sarah as Village Manager. Kate is promoted to Facility Manager at Elms Court Life Care.
Steve works with all the homes as the General Manager to get the best for all our residents, families and staff.
A family-led team united by a genuine passion for enriching the lives of those in our care.
Co-owner & General Manager · Village Manager, Elms Court Village
A born-and-bred Cantabrian, Steve returned to his childhood neighbourhood after a successful career in the Police and managing Elms Court Rest Home and Life Care. Holding a Bachelor in Business Studies, he draws even greater value from 15 years of living alongside and enriching the lives of elders in every home he has owned and led.
Co-owner & HR lead
Mother of four and a University of Canterbury double-degree graduate in Management and Psychology, Roz came to aged care from Human Resource Management. She has developed a deep passion for caring for the elderly — championing the belief that age is only a number and everyone has wisdom and gifts to share.
Village Manager & Registered Nurse · Elms Court Gardens
With 17 years as a Registered Nurse across New Zealand and Australia, Sarah’s passion for older people began at 17 as a caregiver in Nelson. A Bachelor of Nursing graduate, she joined the Elms Court family in 2015 and has been central to its growth. Away from work she and her husband enjoy camping, movie nights, and rainy-day Lego with their two young children.
Village Manager · Elms Court on Middlepark
Steve’s brother-in-law, Richard has managed Elms Court on Middlepark for two years, bringing 20 years of experience training and educating athletes in high-performance attitudes, habits, and actions. A firm believer that great people and great environments produce great results, he is always seeking continuous improvement through support and structure.
Care Home Manager & Registered Nurse · Elms Court Rest Home
An 8-year Registered Nurse who has worked closely alongside Steve for five years, Litty brings great humour and a true passion for caring for others to the original Elms Court Rest Home in Opawa — which she loves leading. She lives close to the home and keeps busy with a young family close at hand.
Care Home Manager · Elms Court Life Care
Kate joined Steve and Roz when Elms Court Life Care became part of the family in January 2019. Her experience and skills help cultivate a team passionate about fostering a warm, homely atmosphere where every detail is thoughtfully considered — so residents feel safe, valued, and truly at home.
At Elms Court we believe in creating more than just a place to live — we create a true home away from home. Our small, family-feel setting allows us to really get to know each individual, ensuring their unique needs are met with care and understanding. Please come and see what we are all about and Make Yourself at Home.
The best way to choose is to visit. Come and meet the team at any of our homes.
