Introduction

Approximately 495,000 people aged 65 years and over currently live in New Zealand. 1 Within the older population, the same variation of views, needs, interests, cultures, wealth, experiences and lifestyles exists as in the general population. In commenting on and formulating policy, it should not be assumed that older people are all the same.

Older people now and in the coming decades will live longer, and will be healthier, more active, more diverse, and better educated than any cohort before them. They will want to work longer, and will have different lifestyles at the end of their active working lives. Our policies and services in the future need to be designed to support people as they grow older to contribute to the economy and participate in society.

A key responsibility of the Office for Senior Citizens is to advise and support you as Minister for Senior Citizens in your role as an advocate for older people at Cabinet and in other government policy forums. The scope of your portfolio is very broad, incorporating positive ageing, retirement income, health, housing, transport, security, and the interests of older people.

As Minister for Senior Citizens, you have responsibility for the ongoing implementation of the New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy. The New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy sets out government's commitment to positive ageing and reaffirms the value of older people in society. Older people have skills, knowledge and experience to contribute to New Zealand , and government has an interest in enabling them to remain active participants in society for as long as possible.

In this briefing, we provide an overview of how the older population is changing. We highlight the challenges government faces in enabling older people to stay connected and to participate in their communities. We also outline the responses to these challenges, and the opportunities that the rapidly changing demographic of the older population will bring for New Zealand over the next three years.

The messages on the next page summarise the key areas that government needs to focus on to improve the life experience of older New Zealanders.

We look forward to working with you.

Natalie Lavery
Director
Office for Senior Citizens