News

1 Oct '25

Super-spry seniors help launch book on ageing better

The Devonport Flagstaff reports: Inspirational… author Leigh Elder (82) with former national tennis champ Margaret Borland (99) and former top running coach Arch Jelley (103)

Eighty-two-year-old Devonport resident Leigh Elder is an exemplar of active living, but says he is “only a kid” compared with some of the inspiring seniors at his book launch.
Among them was Arch Jelley, 103, master running coach to Olympic gold medallists Peter Snell and John Walker. The story of the Auckland “super ager” who still walks kilometres a day is one of several Elder tells in his latest book Don’t Act Your Age – Living younger can be age defying.
Another who attended was former national tennis champion Margaret Borland, aged 99, who came from Dunedin for the launch held at the William Sanders Retirement Village last Friday.

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1 Oct '25

Government rolls out new home care model for older people

This from RNZ: The government will begin rolling out a more flexible new system for delivering home care services to older people in the South Island on Wednesday.

Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said it was one of a series of improvements being made to the current aged care system, backed by a significant increase in funding.

The aged residential care sector has received a 4 percent funding uplift and would see a total increase of $96 million this year, while funding for home and community support services would increase by $44m.

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29 Sep '25

Aucklanders urged to get emergency ready this daylight saving weekend

From Our Auckland: 

Emergencies don’t RSVP; they show up uninvited. Investing a little time in emergency preparedness now can make a big difference in keeping you safer and less stressed when an emergency happens.

So this spring, Auckland Council and its Auckland Emergency Management department have launched a compelling new public awareness campaign encouraging Aucklanders to use daylight saving weekend to get emergency ready.

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26 Sep '25

Older Aucklanders Driving Change: Age Concern Marks UN Day of Older Persons 2025

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26 Sep '25

Any level of alcohol consumption increases risk of dementia

University of Oxford reveals findings: Any amount of alcohol consumption may increase risk of dementia, according to the most comprehensive study of alcohol consumption and dementia risk to date.

Led by the University of Oxford, Yale University, and the University of Cambridge, the research challenges previous suggestions that light-to-moderate drinking may have a protective effect against dementia. The study is published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine.

Alcohol consumption is widespread and is linked with an increased risk of many diseases. Heavy drinking has previously been linked to higher risk of dementia. The connection between moderate levels of drinking and higher risk of dementia was uncertain with some studies suggesting that moderate drinking may even reduce dementia risk. However, recent studies involving brain scans have shown that drinking alcohol even at low levels may increase the risk of dementia.

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26 Sep '25

Outward Bound pushes the age boundary with 60-plus course

RNZ investigates: Outward Bound is pushing the age boundary, with a new course aimed at those 60-plus.

The not-for-profit specialises in personal and professional development, and building resilience by challenging people mentally and physically in the great outdoors of the Marlborough Sounds.

It has been going since 1962, but it is the first time it has had an eight-day course for people who are 60 and beyond.

The inaugural Beyond 60 Outward Bound course just wrapped recently.

One of the participants, 65-year-old Sally Anderson told Checkpoint going on an Outward Bound course was a bit of a dream for her.

"My children have done Outward Boun

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26 Sep '25

Volly Call: Abbeyfield housing project

From The Post: Marie Riordan is the manager of Volunteering New Plymouth. She writes a regular column about volunteering opportunities in Taranaki.

Abbeyfield was established in New Zealand/Aotearoa in 1992.

It is a housing model that originated in the United Kingdom in the 1950s to address the issues of isolation and loneliness among older people.

It aims to provide a comfortable home for older people to enjoy the companionship of others.

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25 Sep '25

What is 'Retro Walking'? The newest trend experts say can prevent dementia

Daily Mail story: Leading doctors are highlighting how an unusual walking technique could help boost memory and stave off dementia. 

Walking backwards, or 'retro walking', may improve cognition and boost activity in the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for decision-making, problem-solving and working memory. 

Dr Eve Glazier and Dr Elizabeth Ko, who are based at UCLA in California, said: 'In one particularly intriguing study, participants who simply visualized the act of walking backward, but were actually sitting still, improved their scores on a memory test.'

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19 Sep '25

Fostering connection to beat loneliness

Otago Daily Times shares: Imagine walking up and not speaking to another person all day ... Or going a week, or even longer, without hearing your name spoken.



No-one to check in.

No-one to laugh with.

For too many older New Zealanders, this is their reality.

At Age Concern New Zealand, we believe that ageing should be filled with connection, purpose and dignity.

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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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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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