News

19 Sep '25

Families missing early dementia signs as projections soar

RNZ reports: With New Zealand marking World Alzheimer's Day on Sunday, health experts are warning that the stigma surrounding dementia is keeping many families from seeking help.

An estimated 83,000 New Zealanders are currently living with dementia, according to the latest figures from Alzheimers New Zealand, although experts believe the actual number is higher.

At the same time, rapid population ageing among Māori, Pacific and Asian communities is expected to accelerate the rise in dementia cases nationwide.

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18 Sep '25

81-year-old fitness instructor cannot be stopped

From The Press: Through five pregnancies, breast cancer and now into her 80s, Paula Barrett says it's never too late to start looking after your mind and body.

Christchurch fitness instructor Paula Barrett's limbs may now be a bit too "old and creaky" to enjoy her Irish dancing hobby, but it's no barrier for her.

The 81-year-old still lifts wheelbarrows and chainsaws to help with local tree logging in bush near where she lives and leads fitness classes four times a week.

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12 Sep '25

KiwiSaver employer contributions for over-65s: Finance Minister rejects calls to mandate matching

The Hearald reports: The Minister of Finance is dismissing calls to mandate employers to contribute to the KiwiSaver accounts of their over-65 workers.

It follows Westpac saying last week the Government should make it compulsory, and more employers should be doing it voluntarily in the meantime.

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28 Aug '25

Departing Aged Care Commissioner says govt has no plan for ageing population

Carolyn Cooper finishes the job this Friday - three and a half years into a five year term, in which she has been outspoken about the need for better aged care beds for older people, particularly in rural and provincial New Zealand. 

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28 Aug '25

Retirement at risk: The major savings gap emerging between self-employed and employees

Newstalk ZB reports: A concerning gap is emerging in retirement savings between self-employed individuals and employees. 

A joint report from the Retirement Commission and accounting firm Hnry called Improving the retirement savings of the self-employed, found self-employed workers contribute to KiwiSaver at less than half the rate of employees, with many missing out on Government contributions

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22 Aug '25

A New Zealander lives here: Bob ‘sleeps’ sitting upright in his single-cab ute. He’s 64

Stuff news shares this investigative story: As winter bites, Mildred Armah seeks out the human faces behind New Zealand’s rising homelessness crisis. In the first of a three-part series, Bob and Andrew represent the daily realities, impossible choices and quiet resilience of those living without a place to call their own.

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12 Aug '25

Pioneer shearer, 93, suffered fatal burns after clothing caught fire while cooking

NewstalkZB shares this story: The life of a trailblazing New Zealand female shearer ended tragically before Christmas last year when her clothing caught fire as she cooked over a favoured coal range.

Margaret Gould suffered fatal burns to her entire body as she prepared a meal in the home where she lived alone.

The 93-year-old was found by her neighbour slumped over the range and in great distress, Coroner Mark Wilton said in his findings released today.

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11 Aug '25

Rising Costs Squeeze Seniors' Ability To Make Ends Meet

Auckland, 6 August 2025 – The quality of life for many older New Zealanders is being significantly impacted by rising living costs according to new research by New Zealand Seniors.

The Quality of Life Report 2025 commissioned by New Zealand Seniors in partnership with consumer research group, MYMAVINS, surveyed more than 500 New Zealanders over 50 about how healthcare, aged care and retirement impact their quality of life, financial stability, and overall wellbeing.

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4 Aug '25

Kiwi classic reborn: A Dog’s Show heads to screen

WELLINGTON, Today: Cameras start rolling this November on A Dog’s Show—a heartwarming Kiwi film inspired by the TV classic that once made sheepdog trialling must-watch telly across the nation.

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4 Aug '25

Are Foodstuffs Reneging On Agreement To Rehire Victoria Park New World Staff Displaced By Fire?

Scoop business shared on friday: Workers First Union members who worked at Victoria Park New World, which was severely damaged by a fire in mid-June, say that Foodstuffs North Island managers appear to be reneging on their commitment to rehire all supermarket staff who are losing jobs and income as a result of the fire, with final paycheques due on Monday 4 August and around 40% of workers still without job offers.

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1 Aug '25

‘They’ll have to drag me out’: Bank moves to sell pensioner’s home

When Stuff reported in March that British army veteran Derrick Unwin faced homelessness after allegedly being left in the lurch by relatives, ANZ bank offered him a reprieve from a mortgagee sale. But as TONY WALL reports, the sale is back on.

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1 Aug '25

Older people struggling to find and keep employment

In a story from RNZ new data shows growing ageism in Australia with 25 percent of employers classifying over-50s as being older, while only 10 percent thought so two years ago.

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11 Nov '24

Age Concern calls for Ministry for Loneliness to support elderly New Zealanders

Article from NewsTalk ZB
THREE KEY FACTS ON NEW ZEALAND LONELINESS:

• The Breaking Barriers study, commissioned by Age Concern, showed 59% of Kiwis aged 65+ had recently felt lonely or socially isolated.

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6 Jun '24

Winter 2024 Quarterly Newsletter North Shore edition

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6 Jun '24

Winter 2024 Quarterly Newsletter Central West edition

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6 Jun '24

Winter 2024 Quarterly Newsletter Counties Manukau edition

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12 May '23

Autumn 2023 Quarterly Newsletter Asian Service edition

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12 May '23

Autumn 2023 Quarterly Newsletter Central West edition

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12 May '23

Autumn 2023 Quarterly Newsletter North Shore edition

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12 May '23

Autumn 2023 Quarterly Newsletter Counties Manukau edition

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21 Apr '23

2023-2024 Calendar of Activities: West Auckland

Guide to groups and activities for older adults - West Auckland

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21 Apr '23

2023-2024 Calendar of Activities: East Auckland

Guide to groups and activities for older adults - East Auckland

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21 Apr '23

2023-2024 Calendar of Activities: Central Auckland

Guide to groups and activities for older adults - Central Auckland

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21 Apr '23

Media release - Homeshare

Life-changing housing programme brings young and old together

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14 Mar '23

More money announced for pensioners the 'bare minimum' - Age Concern

More money announced for pensioners is the "bare minimum" according to Age Concern Auckland chief executive Kevin Lamb.

Yesterday the Government announced pensioners will see their payments rise by 7.22% in line with inflation from April 1. Under the changes, a couple on NZ Super would receive $103 more in total a fortnight, and a single person living alone receive an extra $67 with each payment.

Speaking to Breakfast this morning, Lamb said the Government needs to target the most vulnerable New Zealanders.

"There are a lot of older people who are struggling desperately financially, they were before the cost of living and it's got worse during the cost of living.

"What this has done is taken them back to what was a very difficult starting point. It's good news but it's simply not enough."

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7 Apr '22

Central West Summer Newsletter

Stay up to date with news for Central & West services

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7 Apr '22

North Shore Newsletter

Stay up to date with news from our North Shore office

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7 Apr '22

Counties Manukau Spring Newsletter

Stay up to date with news from our Counties Manukau office

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8 Jun '21

Oldie & A Goodie

Please support our fundraising campaign 'Oldie & A Goodie' to help us fund our essential work. Oldie & A Goodie is a celebration of the older people and things in our lives - its about whānau, heritage, mana, respect and understanding. All donations will go directly to support the vital work of Age Concern Auckland, who are constantly working with the vulnerable older people in the Auckland community.

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6 Jun '21

Age Concern Auckland Update September 2022

Keep up to date with the latest news from Age Concern Auckland

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10 May '21

The value of Community Strength and Balance Classes

Listen to our Community Strength and Balance Coordinator, Bethan Collings talk live on PMN Tonga about the value of Community Strength and Balance exercises.

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4 Nov '19

New Non-Emergency Number for Police

105 is a national non-emergency number that will be answered 24/7 by highly trained Police staff. It is free to call from all landline and mobile numbers.

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