Stay up to date with the latest news affecting older people in Auckland and across Aotearoa.
At Age Concern Auckland, we curate relevant articles, updates, and stories on topics like elder wellbeing, healthcare, housing, community
services, and policy changes. Check back regularly for fresh content that matters to seniors, their whānau, and caregivers.
Transport subsidies for elderly and disabled people reduced
The government is cutting transport subsidies for elderly and disabled people for elderly and disabled people from 75 percent to 65 percent.
The Total Mobility scheme provides discounted taxis and public transport fares for those with long-term impairments.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Disability Minister Louise Upston said when the previous Labour government boosted the scheme from a 50
percent subsidy in 2022, it did not account for increased demand.
The number of registered users had increased from 108,000 to 120,000 between 2022 and 2024/25, and the number of trips increased from 1.8
million in 2018 to 3 million in 2024/25.
Bishop said the increased demand now meant the scheme was close to exceeding the funding provided by $236m sometime over the five years to
2030.
"The subsidy is split between the government and public transport authorities - local councils and the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) - and
provides an important service for the people who use the scheme," he said.
Superannuitants are being warned not to fall for a scam that claims they're in for a pre-Christmas bonus.
A hoax circulating online claims that people who are on NZ Super are to receive a "one-off December bonus" a few weeks before
Christmas.
The payment is alleged to be $350 for single people and $560 for couples, as well as an extra $50 for people in Auckland, Wellington and
Christchurch and $40 for people with disabilities.
The websites seem to be intended to funnel advertising and possibly collect identity details.
The Ministry of Social Development confirmed that the offer was not real.
"We are aware of fake information being targeted at MSD clients and older people about December bonuses, benefit increases, or changes
to NZ Super," group general manager of client service delivery Graham Allpress said.
"We want to assure people these claims are not true. If you want up-to-date information on your benefit or NZ Super, check the Work and
Income website or MyMSD.
"These posts and websites are created by dishonest actors for dishonest reasons, and are always best avoided."
Japan is facing a dementia crisis – can technology help?
This from BBC news:
Last year, more than 18,000 older people living with dementia left their homes and went missing in Japan. Almost 500 were later found dead.
Police say such cases have doubled since 2012.
Elderly people aged 65 and over now make up nearly 30% of Japan's population - the second-highest proportion in the world after Monaco,
according to the World Bank.
The crisis is further compounded by a shrinking workforce and tight limits on foreign workers coming in to provide care.
Japan's government has identified dementia as one of its most urgent policy challenges, with the Health Ministry estimating that
dementia-related health and social care costs will reach 14 trillion yen ($90bn; £67bn) by 2030 - up from nine trillion yen in 2025.
In its most recent strategy, the government has signalled a stronger pivot toward technology to ease the pressure.
'Just come and be in it' - 87-year-old community theatre director
June Renwick from Auckland's Selwyn Community Arts Theatre still gets "really excited" about seeing people discover their hidden performance
talents.
Culture 10128 September 20254 min readCaption:June Renwick (left) with cast members of Selwyn Community Arts Theatre's 2024 production of
Priscilla: Queen of the Desert.Photo credit:Supplied
When she retired from teaching at Auckland's Selwyn College, June Renwick was determined to "get a community theatre happening". Now she
directs and produces shows at the Selwyn Community Arts Theatre (SCAT).
Not only is community theatre a lot of fun, it also encourages diverse connections, Renwick says, not just in nationality, but in age.
"People make lasting friendships, like we're all going for a curry night soon up to Orewa", she tells Culture 101.
Govt’s retirement village reforms risk two-tier system, residents say
The Government’s promise of fairer rules for retirement villages could backfire if reforms only apply to future contracts and not to those
who’ve fought so hard to secure them, residents warn.
Their comments follow today’s announcement by Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka and Seniors Minister Casey Costello regarding the
Retirement Villages Act reform.
Key improvements included a process for former residents to apply for early access to funds in situations of specific need; interest must be
paid after six months if a unit remains unlicensed or unsold; repayment of funds no later than 12 months after a unit is vacated, and weekly
fees and deductions stopping immediately when a resident vacates.
A Northland retirement village resident said after a long career in community advocacy, the last thing she expected when moving into her
unit about five years ago was more battling.
But issues in her village – especially an ongoing wait for a promised specialist care facility – changed that.
The cost of being: A retired ‘old lady’ learning to live for the moment
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our
relationship with money, a pensioner with a lifetime of ‘squirrel habits’ explains where they spend and how they save.
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