Search

The 25^th International Day of Older Persons on October 1st is an opportunity to celebrate the significant contribution seniors make to New Zealand society, Senior Citizens Minister Maggie Barry says.

“Seniors play a pivotal role and are a very positive influence on our economy, workplaces and communities, which is only going to grow as our population ages,” Ms Barry says.

“As volunteers, seniors are crucial to many of the support groups, clubs and societies which enrich our towns and cities.”

Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says he is pleased by a new report which shows most elderly people enjoy good relationships with friends and family and have someone to give them emotional support.

The report, by the University of Auckland, is one in a series commissioned by the Ministry of Health on the health and wellbeing of older people.

“It is important that people at this stage of their lives have a strong support network around them and maintain their relationships with friends and family,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

A new website for New Zealand’s SuperSeniors has been launched today by Senior Citizens Minister Maggie Barry.

SuperSeniors will pull together in one place the wealth of information available for older New Zealanders online, including superannuation entitlements, finances, health and SuperGold discounts.

Ms Barry unveiled the website at a seniors event in Milford in Auckland’s North Shore, together with Prime Minister John Key.

Minister for Senior Citizens Maggie Barry and Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Paul Goldsmith today welcomed a survey highlighting the importance of all New Zealanders planning for their retirement.

The joint survey by the Commission for Financial Capability (CFFC) and the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) shows many older New Zealanders don’t yet know how they will reach their retirement goals.

“Planning for a secure financial future is important for all New Zealanders, not only those heading towards retirement,” Mr Goldsmith says.

ACC Minister Nikki Kaye and Senior Citizens Minister Maggie Barry have welcomed new ACC initiatives aimed at reducing falls amongst older people.

“ACC will roll out a series of initiatives aimed at preventing falls and improving services for older people over the next 12 months,” says Ms Kaye.

“Today I’m pleased to confirm the first of these initiatives, which include:

A new report has highlighted the economic influence of older people in New Zealand, Senior Citizens Minister Maggie Barry says.

The 2015 Business of Ageing report update has projected older New Zealanders will make an even bigger contribution to the economy than previously thought.

“Seniors put billions of dollars into our economy each year, and their importance will only grow as our population ages,” Ms Barry says.

“By 2035, there will be 1.2 million people aged over 65 – almost double the current figure of 650,000.”

A new set of online resources will help carers look after their own needs, make time for themselves and stay connected, Senior Citizens Minister Maggie Barry says.

Around one in ten New Zealanders helps a family member or friend with everyday life, and many find it hard to balance that important role with work or their other commitments.

New Zealanders need to confront the reality of elder abuse to prevent the exploitation and mistreatment of older people, Senior Citizens Minister Maggie Barry says.

New research released on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day shows around one in 10 older New Zealanders have suffered some form of abuse or neglect.

With our ageing population, this research, the first specifically focused on New Zealand, suggests the rate of elder abuse could increase significantly.

Senior Citizens Minister Maggie Barry has welcomed a report highlighting the value of older workers to New Zealand’s economy – and identifying the discrimination many of them still face.

The Workforce Ageing Survey 2014 has found workers aged 50 and over are seen as valuable and hardworking by employers – regarded as more productive and better in a crisis.

2,631 employers and employees from Crown Entities and District Health Boards took part in the survey, a collaboration between the Office for Senior Citizens and the Human Rights Commission.

Senior Citizens Minister Maggie Barry says the latest SuperGold business recruitment campaign has achieved its aim of signing up more health professionals and lawyers.

The campaign ran over March and April and resulted in more than 650 new businesses offering discounts. Among them are 60 dental practices and more than 40 legal firms around the country.

Around 70% of these new businesses have come from outside of the main centres.

The value of older people to New Zealand has been spelled out in a new report released today by Senior Citizens Minister Maggie Barry.

The 2014 Report on the Positive Ageing Strategy, from the Office for Senior Citizens, examines how New Zealand has progressed towards the goals from the original strategy, launched in 2001.

It also provides guidance for Government and local councils on planning for the issues facing older people now and in future.

Senior Citizens Minister Maggie Barry has launched a new range of multilingual resources to help New Zealanders protect their future with an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA).

Two pamphlets which explain how to set up an EPA have been translated into nine different languages and are now available for free online.

Senior Citizens Minister Maggie Barry today announced the winners of the national youth essay competition, ‘1914 – 2014: The greatest greats and grands of the last 100 years.’