For the Long Run

Nearly 30,000 voices helping shape healthy ageing in Aotearoa New Zealand

Living longer is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s greatest achievements. The opportunity now is to ensure those additional years are lived with health, security, connection, purpose and choice. When older New Zealanders can remain well, independent and able to contribute, family/whānau are stronger, workplaces retain valuable skills and experience, communities benefit from care and leadership, and services and systems are available and accessible.

Yet public discussion about the ageing population too often begins with what it may cost. This overlooks the considerable value older people already create. They are working, paying tax, caring for family/whānau, supporting grandchildren/mokopuna, volunteering, mentoring and helping communities function.

The choices Aotearoa New Zealand makes now will shape whether longer lives deliver a growing longevity dividend – the social and economic value created when people are able to age well for longer – or place increasing, avoidable pressure on health, housing, care and community systems.

Earlier this year, the Aotearoa New Zealand National Forum for the Decade of Healthy Ageing asked older New Zealanders what helps them live well as they age and what challenges can make that harder. A total of 28,479 people responded to our Healthy Ageing Pulse Survey, sharing their experiences across health, housing, transport, connection, work, finances and community life.

The Forum would like to thank everyone who took the time to share their experiences. Your responses have given us a valuable picture of what matters to older people and where practical barriers can sometimes get in the way. Those insights have now been brought together with wider research and evidence in a new For the Long Run report on healthy ageing in Aotearoa New Zealand.

You can download the full report here.

There will be more opportunities for older New Zealanders to share their experiences, ideas and advice as this work continues. Thank you again for your support.

The Decade of Opportunity – supporting people earlier, so they can continue to live well

Our respondents’ experiences reinforced the importance of the first decade after 65. We call this The Decade of Opportunity, a critical window for action. The actions taken during these years can have a measurable impact. Timely healthcare, a safer and more manageable home, reliable transport, clear advice or a meaningful role can help people remain independent, prevent avoidable decline, keep their options open – delivering long-term social and economic value. When action is delayed, however, pressures can compound and choices can narrow.

New Zealand already has strong services, trusted community networks and proven initiatives. The opportunity is to connect them more effectively, make them easier to find and use, extend what is working and direct investment towards actions that will have the greatest long-term impact.

By helping people thrive through the first decade after 65 and beyond, New Zealand can embrace the opportunities of our fastest growing ‘natural resource’ – more older people – who tell us they want to age well, continue to participate and help grow their communities and build resilience between generations.