Chapter 9 - Organisations and agencies

Introduction

The Office for Senior Citizens works closely with a wide range of government agencies and community organisations. Through these links, the Office maintains an overview of policies impacting on older peoples lives and of the issues that concern them.

The small size of the Office, combined with the variety of issues impacting on the lives of older New Zealanders, mean that effective community links are necessary if the Office is to provide expert and timely advice to the Minister for Senior Citizens.

Links with government agencies enable the Office to have effective input into policy development across the government sector on issues affecting the lives of older people. In addition, the Office works with many agencies and organisations to develop specific initiatives which promote positive ageing.

In order to effectively advocate for older people, it is essential that the Minister for Senior Citizens is well informed of the views, concerns and policy interpretations of older people. These are generally reflected in public announcements and publications by older peoples organisations and groups.

However, a direct and regular dialogue leading to working relationships between key sector organisations and the Minister can assist in clarifying respective positions and in creating a relationship of mutual trust and understanding.

Another important dynamic, in terms of the Senior Citizens portfolio, is that which exists between the Office for Senior Citizens and other government agencies. There are a number of government departments and ministries whose policy responsibilities intersect with the Senior Citizens portfolio.

The capacity of the Office to represent the views and intentions of the Minister in discussions with other government agencies is important to the particular interests and priorities of older people being taken into account in the policy development process.

Key government agencies, Crown entities and older peoples organisations are described below.

Government agencies

In order to strengthen its links with the government sector, the Office for Senior Citizens maintains an Interdepartmental Network of government officials. The Office hosts quarterly Network meetings, at which officials share information about current policy work that has implications for older people. This provides an effective way of keeping an overview of relevant policies. Routinely maintaining good relationships with other agencies promotes close working relationships with the Office for Senior Citizens on specific issues.

The following agencies and Crown entities work collegially with the Office for Senior Citizens.

Ministry of Social Development

The Office for Senior Citizens is part of the Ministry of Social Development and reports to the Chief Executive through the Ministry of Social Development executive management structure. The Ministry of Social Development, established on 1 October 2001, provides strategic social policy advice to government and delivers income support, employment services, superannuation, Community Services Card administration, and student allowances and loans to more than one million New Zealanders.

The Ministrys policy advice areas include supporting and investing in children and young people, active social assistance, sustainable employment, providing for retirement, stronger families and stronger communities.

The Ministrys income support and employment services are provided in 170 locations throughout the country. Services include job seeking, student allowances and loans, superannuation, and services to employers. The Ministry also works in partnership with communities to help maximise opportunities for employment and promote positive activity and responses to local needs.

Office for Disability Issues

The Office for Disability Issues began operations on 1 July, 2002. The Office is part of the Ministry of Social Development and is the lead agency for implementation and development of the New Zealand Disability Strategy. The Office is also lead agency for policy advice on inter-sectoral disability issues. The disability sector is quite distinct from the older population, but disability issues are of relevance to many older people.

It is anticipated the Office will become one of the more important government sector agencies with which the Office for Senior Citizens networks.

Office of the Retirement Commissioner

The Office of the Retirement Commissioner was established under the Retirement Income Act 1993 to develop and promote methods of improving the effectiveness of retirement income policies.

Included in its responsibilities is the development of education and information programmes that focus on encouraging New Zealanders to save for retirement. Largely this is achieved through television campaigns, suitable pamphlets, work with schools and its website, www.sorted.org.nz.

The Office of the Retirement Commissioner also promotes research on financial provision for retirement and monitors trends and issues that may have an impact on retirement savings. The Office for Senior Citizens works closely with the Office of the Retirement Commissioner on a range of issues relating to retirement policy.

Office of Veterans Affairs

On 1 July 1999, the Office of Veterans Affairs was established as a separate office within the New Zealand Defence Force. It brings together functions that were previously the responsibility of several government agencies. These include assessment of individual veterans entitlement to war pension and other financial assistance, policy advice on pensions and services for veterans, maintenance of defence service cemeteries, and provision of information on veterans medals.

The Office of Veterans Affairs works closely with veterans, their representative organisations, and government agencies. The payment of veterans pensions is the responsibility of Ministry of Social Development.

Department of Child, Youth and Family Services

The Department of Child, Youth and Family Services (known as Child, Youth and Family) was established on 1 October 1999 and reports to the Minister of Social Services and Employment. It was previously the Children, Young Persons and their Families Agency.

The Department is responsible for care and protection of children and young people, youth justice and adoptions, and funding community social services. While the main focus of the departments work is on children and strengthening families, it also purchases, through contracts with non-government providers, a range of social and welfare services. A number of these have particular relevance to older people, including elder abuse and neglect prevention services, and support services for older people providing kinship care.

Ministry of Justice

The Ministry of Justice provides policy advice across the justice sector. Justice policy is based primarily on a concern for the rights and responsibilities of individuals in regard to their relationships with other individuals, communities and the state.

The Ministry also provides advice on matters such as democratic processes, the relationships between Treaty partners, dispute resolution mechanisms preventing and minimising the impact of crime, and manages the conduct of the electoral process. The Office for Senior Citizens has worked with the Ministry of Justice on projects including the development of the retirement villages legislation and the review of misuse of enduring powers of attorney provisions in the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act.

Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health provides advice to government on overarching health policy, funds and monitors District Health Boards (DHBs) and other health providers, and administers public health regulations.

In 2001, when 21 DHBs were established, responsibility for Health Funding Authority contracts was moved to the Ministry of Health. Vote Health appropriations for 2001/02 totalled approximately $7.4b, of which about $151m (2%) was allocated for the functions of the Ministry and $5.2b (70%) for the purchase of health services through the DHBs.

The Office for Senior Citizens works with Ministry staff in the policy areas of health of older people, disability support services, Māori and Pacific health, public health, and consumer safety. In 2000, the Ministry established the Sector Policy Directorate Health of Older People team. The team developed, and is responsible for monitoring, the Health of Older People Strategy, which was released in May 2002.

National Health Committee

The National Health Committee is a forum of prominent New Zealanders and health experts appointed by, and reporting directly to, the Minister of Health. Its secretariat is based in the Ministry of Health. The Committee is responsible for giving the Minister an independent assessment of the quality and mix of public health services, personal health services, and disability services that should be publicly funded. The Committee publishes an annual report to the Minister, which is tabled in Parliament.

Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs

The Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs promotes the development of Pacific peoples in New Zealand in a way that recognises and reflects Pacific cultural values and aspirations, so that Pacific peoples can participate in and contribute fully to New Zealands social, cultural and economic life.

The Ministry provides policy advice to Government and other government agencies on key policies and issues impacting on Pacific peoples. The Ministry is also responsible for communicating information and Government policy advice to and from Pacific communities and other government agencies.

The Office for Senior Citizens works closely with the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs to consult with older Pacific peoples on issues such as positive ageing, health, housing, and income support provisions.

Te Puni Kōkiri

Te Puni Kōkiri, the Ministry of Māori Development, is the governments principal advisor on the Crowns relationship with hapū, iwi, and Māori on government policies as they affect Māori.

It has 15 regional offices that during the International Year of Older Persons 1999 distributed information on behalf of the Office for Senior Citizens to local iwi/Māori groups. The Office for Senior Citizens has a good working relationship with staff in the Social Policy Branch of Te Puni Kōkiri.

Statistics New Zealand

Statistics New Zealand is New Zealands national statistical office. It administers the Statistics Act 1975, and is the countrys major source of official statistics. Its Chief Executive is the Government Statistician. Statistics New Zealand provides statistical data useful to the work of the

Office for Senior Citizens, including the Consumer Price Index, Census data, and data from specific surveys such as the Household Economic Survey and the Disability Survey.

Ministry of Transport and Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA)

The Office for Senior Citizens works closely with the Ministry of Transport and LTSA on older driver licensing issues, and also liaises with the two agencies on other issues that affect older people such as the road rules applying to mobility scooters. The main purpose of the Ministry of Transport is to ensure the availability of transport services that meet the current and future needs of New Zealanders, and that are accessible, efficient and safe for both people and our environment.

The LTSA is the Crown entity charged with promoting land transport safety at reasonable cost. The LTSA is responsible for the administration of motor vehicle registration, road user charges and driver licensing. The LTSA also has responsibility for safety issues.

Lottery Seniors Distribution Committee

The Lottery Seniors Distribution Committee (formerly Lottery Aged) is one of the nine committees of the Lottery Grants Board which distribute the profits from New Zealand lotteries, such as Lotto and Instant Kiwi. Lottery Seniors makes grants to non-profit organisations for projects that promote positive ageing by improving the physical, mental and social wellbeing of older people. It can provide salary subsidies as well as funding for travel, administration, equipment and volunteer expenses. Priority for funding is given to projects that provide services for older people, which support the Positive Ageing Strategy and enable them to continue living at home.

Community organisations

Age Concern New Zealand

Age Concern New Zealand is an independent, charitable, non-profit organisation. Through its 29 local councils Age Concern links with 500 agencies and groups working with older people in New Zealand. Its mission is Working together to promote quality of life for older people. Age Concern New Zealand makes representations to government and its agencies and consults with the community sector and general public on older people and ageing issues.

Age Concern recently took over the Senior Achievers Awards Programme from the Senior Achievers Charitable Trust. They secured corporate sponsorship for the Awards from Medical Alarm and Security Systems Healthcare Ltd, and launched the new-look Awards programme at Parliament in March 2002. The 2002 Awards will be held in six regions during August and the national Awards in Wellington on 7 October. The purpose of the Senior Achievers Awards is to recognise the valuable contributions and achievements of older New Zealanders.

Age Concern, including the local councils, is the largest recipient of Lottery Seniors funding. Most of this funding is provided to meet salary and other administration costs.

Age Concern New Zealand receives funding through Child, Youth and Family to provide national co-ordination of local elder abuse and neglect prevention services run by its councils. It also has contracts with the Ministry of Health for the provision of an Accredited Visitor Service to older people who are without family support.

In addition, it receives Ministry of Health funding to develop information resources and programmes covering issues affecting older people, their families and carers. Many of the Volunteer Community Co-ordinators nominating organisations are local Age Concern committees.

The Chief Executive of Age Concern meets regularly with the staff of the Office, and information and advice is shared and discussed.

Grey Power New Zealand Federation

Grey Power New Zealand is a political lobby group, whose aims and objectives include advancing, supporting, and protecting the welfare and well being of older people. Grey Power was established in Auckland in 1985, as the New Zealand Superannuitants Association. Grey Power currently has over 75,000 members.

While Grey Power subscribes to promoting the welfare and wellbeing of citizens fifty plus, it has primarily been a lobby group for maintaining universal, public superannuation, which is not income or asset tested. In recent years, Grey Power has widened its interests to include other issues affecting older people, such as access to health services and changes to drivers licenses.

There are around 80 affiliated Grey Power associations around the country. Each Grey Power association, while affiliated to the national organisation, operates independently, and consequently the approach and strength of lobbying varies between associations.

Grey Powers national body, the Grey Power New Zealand Federation, has five office holders, seven zone directors, and five board members. The Grey Power New Zealand Federation has its office in Auckland and makes regular representation to government and to individual Ministers on issues of concern.

The president of Grey Power meets the Director of the Office for Senior Citizens regularly and keeps close contact with staff in the Office. Grey Power is the nominating organisation for many Volunteer Community Co-ordinators around the country.

Alzheimers New Zealand

Alzheimers New Zealand is a national organisation comprising 22 local groups that provide support and advocacy for people with Alzheimers disease and to their carers. The national office is located in Christchurch and its resource centre has developed a variety of printed resource material.

The local groups, some of which use the name ADARDS (Alzheimers and Related Disorders Society), each run their own services which may include field workers, support groups, telephone support, public education, and newsletters. A few also provide befrienders, a sitter service, or day care.

Māori Womens Welfare League Te Rōpū Wāhine Māori Toko i te Ora

The Māori Womens Welfare League was formed in 1951 to improve the wellbeing of Māori, in particular women and children. Since its establishment, the League has been at the forefront of efforts to improve the health, education, and social and economic status of Māori people.

Recent initiatives include promoting economic and business opportunities for women, encouraging healthy lifestyles, and improving parenting skills. The League has a membership of 5,000 with around 150 affiliated branches in New Zealand and overseas. Many kuia are active members of the League.

Mature Employment Support Association

The Mature Employment Support Association, until recently known as the Mature Employment Service, is made up of a network of autonomous local organisations who work with unemployed people aged 45 and over.

The Association provides individuals with support and assistance to consider new careers and to identify opportunities both in paid and voluntary work. It utilises both volunteers and paid employees to undertake its work. Several of the Volunteer Community Co-ordinators have been nominated for the role as part of their work for the Mature Employment Support Association.

New Zealand Association of Gerontology

The New Zealand Association of Gerontology is a multidisciplinary association for the study of ageing. The aims of the Association are to:

• study ageing in all its aspects;
• encourage training of those caring for older people; advise interested persons, bodies or groups on aspects of ageing;
• promote gerontological research;
• and stimulate interest of older people.

New Zealand Institute for Research on Ageing (NZiRA)

The New Zealand Institute for Research on Ageing (NZiRA) was established in 2002 as an Applied Research Centre at Victoria University of Wellington. It is a multi-disciplinary, multi-sector and multi-ethnic institute, which aims to increase and enhance research on ageing in New Zealand. The Director of the Office for Senior Citizens is a member of the NZiRA Advisory Board. In addition to its research programme, NZiRA administers the TOWER Fellowship programme, which brings an international expert in research on ageing to New Zealand each year to share their expertise with people working in government agencies, academic institutions and community organisations. The TOWER Fellow for 2002 was Professor Jordan Kosberg of the University of Alabama, who is an expert on older mens issues and elder abuse and neglect.

The Office for Senior Citizens recently provided funding for publication of the updated New Zealand Bibliography for Research on Ageing which was prepared by NZiRA members. The Minister for Senior Citizens keeps close contact with the Institute and its research.

Pacific Older Peoples Auckland Network

This network of 50 older Pacific peoples groups was established under the auspices of the Methodist Mission Northern. The objective of the network is to enhance and celebrate the life and wellbeing of older people. Most groups meet together weekly and opportunities are provided for older Pacific peoples to socialise, exercise, enjoy arts and crafts, access health information, and take part in outings and trips.

Retired Persons Association of New Zealand

The Retired Persons Association (RPA) was established in 1983 with the objective of improving the status of older people in New Zealand. There are autonomous RPA branches in the Wellington and Auckland regions that further the organisations aim of reinforcing the positive aspects of ageing. RPA has initiated several innovative projects, including SeniorNet, the Senior Achievers Awards, and Seniors Abroad, a homestay programme for persons over 50 years of age.

Retirement Villages Association

The Retired Persons Association (RPA) was established in 1983 with the objective of improving the status of older people in New Zealand. There are autonomous RPA branches in the Wellington and Auckland regions that further the organisations aim of reinforcing the positive aspects of ageing. RPA has initiated several innovative projects, including SeniorNet, the Senior Achievers Awards, and Seniors Abroad, a homestay programme for persons over 50 years of age.

Association villages are promoted as sharing a common objective of providing quality living accommodation and care to residents. The Association also represents the interests of its member villages, in settings such as policy development processes at both central and local government levels. The Office for Senior Citizens has liaised closely with the RVA on the development and introduction of the Retirement Villages Bill, and the Association will continue to be integrally involved in the development of the retirement villages industry Code of Practice required under the Bill.

SeniorNet

SeniorNet is a community organisation that provides opportunities for people over the age of 55 to learn more about information and communication technology. The first SeniorNet centre in New Zealand was established in Wellington in 1992, with support from Telecom New Zealand. There are now 77 SeniorNet groups around New Zealand, including one specifically for Apple Mac users in Christchurch.

Each learning centre is established and run by an independent local committee, which organises its own premises, classes and funding. The courses provided at SeniorNet learning centres are tailored to the learning requirements of older people. The classes are small, and tutors are volunteers aged 55 and over. Courses range from basic computer skills to advanced courses on specific applications.

Supergrans

Supergrans is an organisation of mature women assisting people to learn basic living and household skills. They work with young families on a one to one basis and run courses in the community and for young people in prison. There are currently seven Supergrans groups from Waikato to Southland. Supergrans groups are funded through sponsorship, grants and donations.

Third Age Foundation

The Third Age Foundation is a charitable trust established in 2001 and based in Christchurch, with its activities focused within the Canterbury Regional Council boundaries. The Foundation has strong links with the Canterbury Development Corporation (CDC), and has a Third Age Centre which operates from the CDC building in Christchurch.

The general objective of the Foundation is to raise political and public awareness of the implications of an ageing population. The Foundation aims to achieve these by providing services and activities, and promotional and educational exercises, focusing on six priority areas: health, income and employment, education, leisure, caring and volunteering.

University of the Third Age (U3A)

Informal learning opportunities for older people are provided by the University of the Third Age (U3A) groups around the country. Each U3A group is autonomous and decides on its own structure and venue, which is usually in the homes of members. Members are both pupils and tutors,

drawing on their own skills and knowledge to teach their peers. There are no formal course fees or educational prerequisites and the group sets the curriculum.

Widows and Widowers Association

The Widows and Widowers Association was established in 1977 by a small group of widowed people, and is a non-profit incorporated association that operates nationally with branches in many areas of New Zealand.

The aim of the Association is to assist people who have been widowed to overcome problems they may face in adjusting to their changed situation, such as bereavement, loneliness and financial stresses. The Association also works to make community organisations, employers and government more aware of the problems faced by widowed people, and monitors new legislation that may affect widowed people and their dependent children.

Summary

The Government and non-government sector networks that the Office for Senior Citizens has developed in the nine years since the portfolio was established have become an essential consultation, environmental awareness and policy development resource.

The Office for Senior Citizens actively maintains its relationship with government agencies through the Interdepartmental Network meetings, and with the broader community sector through regular formal and informal contact.

The limited resources of the Office for Senior Citizens makes it highly reliant on its connections and in particular its good relationships with other agencies. This adds value to the work of the Office and ensures that different perspectives are reflected in advice provided to the Minister.