Actions

Health and care services 

Older people maintain independence and social connection through improved driver licence systems 

What we will do: 

  • Work to ensure health practitioners have the information they need to assess medical fitness to drive and know the different options available for them to meet individual needs (Timeframe: 2026, Agency leads: NZTA) 

  • Assess whether the Rule that requires regular licence renewal when turning 75 remains fit-for-purpose (Timeframe: 2027, Agency leads: MOT) 

Older people have the skills to stay digitally connected 

What we will do: 

  • Support the delivery of digital literacy training using existing networks, such as age-friendly cities and communities (Timeframe: 2026, Agency leads: OfS) 

Older people can access and navigate the services they need, when they need them 

What we will do: 

  • Investigate options for integrated preventative social and health services, in partnership with regional networks (for example, an age-friendly “community hub” model which provides colocated, co-funded services) (Timeframe: 2028, Agency leads: MSD, OfS, MoH, & HNZ) 

  • Investigate options to strengthen the provision of wraparound support for older people with complex needs (e.g. social isolation), for example a support worker initiative (Timeframe: 2027, Agency leads: MSD, OfS, MoH, & HNZ) 

  • Develop options to use digital government infrastructure to improve and streamline service navigation and referral pathways (Timeframe: 2028, Agency leads: DIA, MoH & HNZ) 

Protect older people from abuse 

What we will do: 

  • Support early detection of abuse through validating and piloting the use of screening tools (Timeframe: 2028, Agency leads: MSD, MoH, HNZ) 

  • Research “self-neglect”/complex unmet support needs in older people and investigate options for supporting this group through earlier intervention (Timeframe: 2028, Agency leads: MSD, MoH & OfS) 

  • Work with the financial sector to develop best practice guidance for banks and other financial services on financial abuse (Timeframe: 2026, Agency leads: OfS) 

Housing 

Objective: Older people can access the right housing in the right place 

What we will do:  

  • Improve identification and understanding of housing need for older people and invest where this aligns with the housing investment strategy (Timeframe: 2028, Agency leads: MHUD) 

  • Explore alternative housing options for older people including affordable rent solutions (Timeframe: 2027, Agency leads: MHUD) 

  • Build more social and affordable rental housing through the flexible fund (Timeframe: 2027, Agency leads: MHUD) 

Cost-of-living 

Objective: Older people are supported to put legal protections in place to protect themselves and their assets 

What we will do: 

  • Raise awareness about the benefits and importance of Enduring Powers of Attorney for protecting assets and welfare (Timeframe: 2026, Agency leads: OfS) 

  • Explore opportunities to support NGOs with small-scale funding to support older people with Enduring Powers of Attorney (Timeframe: 2026, Agency leads: OfS) 

  • Explore additional protections that could be put in place to support vulnerable older people (Timeframe: 2027, Agency leads: OfS) 

Objective: Older people are supported to make their money go further 

What we will do: 

  • Raise awareness about the retirement navigator tool on Sorted (Timeframe: 2026, Agency leads: RC & OfS) 

  • Support older people to draw down their KiwiSaver throughout later life, by working alongside KiwiSaver providers (Timeframe: 2026, Agency leads: RC & OfS) 

Objective: Employment outcomes for older workers are improved

What we will do: 

  • Address ageism among employers through the Age Friendly Employers Network (Timeframe: 2026, Agency leads: OfS) 

  • Explore options to tailor MSD employment supports to meet the needs of older workers (Timeframe: 2028, Agency leads: MSD) 

Objective: Banking services and cash are accessible to older people 

What we will do: 

  • Research the impact of reduced ATMs, and ATM withdrawal fees on older people and mechanisms to maintain bank ATMs in communities so that older people can withdraw cash without additional charges (Timeframe: 2026, Agency leads: OfS) 

  • Ensure older people can access cash, including through the community cash service trials (Timeframe: 2026, Agency leads: RBNZ) 

  • Improve access to bank accounts for older people, including work to make basic transaction accounts widely available (Timeframe: 2026, Agency leads: RBNZ) 

Objective: Older people gain further benefits from the SuperGold Card 

What we will do: 

  • Undertake a cost/benefit analysis of transforming the SuperGold Card into a form of primary identification for older people (Timeframe: 2028, Agency leads: MSD) 

  • Identify opportunities to modernise the SuperGold Card to improve timely access to services and benefits (Timeframe: 2028, Agency leads: MSD) 

 

Agency lead acronyms 

  • Department of Internal Affairs (DIA)

  • Health NZ (HNZ)

  • Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)

  • Ministry of Health (MoH)

  • Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MHUD)

  • Ministry of Social Development (MSD)

  • Ministry of Transport (MOT)

  • NZ Transport Agency (NZTA)

  • Office for Seniors (OfS)

  • Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ)

  • Retirement Commission (RC) 

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