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No.2, April 2001 CONTENTS:
The highlight of the last two months has been the launch of the New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy. Other strategies affecting older people are also in the pipeline: The New Zealand Disability Strategy will be launched by the Prime Minister Helen Clark on 30 April, and work continues on the Health of Older People Strategy. I am also pleased to announce that the Government plans to draw up separate legislation to protect residents in retirement villages. I have been concerned about this issue for some time, and I am keen to develop the legislation and introduce it into the House this year.
POSITIVE AGEING STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN LAUNCHED I was delighted to launch the Positive Ageing Strategy in Wellington on 10 April, along with the Government's 2001/2002 Action Plan. Around 150 people attended the launch, which was part of an all-day seminar looking at ways to put positive ageing into action in our communities. The day ended on a high note with a fun debate on the proposal that Positive Ageing Begins at Birth. As leader of the affirmative team, I thoroughly enjoyed the debate, which ended appropriately in a draw. Positive ageing is about ensuring that older people can participate fully in the community in the ways they choose. It also means encouraging people of all ages to think positively about ageing and about those who are getting older. Older people are living independently, in better health, for longer than ever before. A healthy, happy and confident older population contributes a wealth of expertise and skills to the community and workforce, places less demands on social services and provides positive role models for younger generations. Unfortunately, ageing is not always a positive experience. For some people, it means poverty, isolation, boredom, loss of self-esteem, ill-health and insecurity. Even those who have resources and support can be held back by widespread prejudices about ageing. That is why we need the New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy. The Strategy is a blueprint for central government to ensure that older people's contributions are valued and their issues are addressed. It provides a framework within which all Government policy with implications for older people can be commonly understood and developed. The Strategy outlines key policy principles for positive ageing, and sets out priority goals and actions in 10 areas: income, health, housing, transport, ageing in place, cultural diversity, rural issues, attitudes, employment and opportunities. It is a living document with annual action plans for Government agencies, and a monitoring system to check on progress. I consider that the development of a cross-portfolio action plan is the most important feature of the Strategy. And I am pleased to say that other Ministers and government departments have responded positively to it. This year's action plan covers 26 different portfolios. It shows how each Government department will meet the needs and challenges of an ageing population, and incorporate positive ageing principles into their everyday work. This practical checklist is the way we will measure our progress and achievements. However, our goal of positive ageing will only succeed if central government, local authorities and communities work together. My challenge to local authorities is to develop their own strategies and action plans to enhance the lives of older people, in conjunction with their local communities. Finally, I want to thank all those who have worked so hard to develop the Positive Ageing Strategy, including the Advisory Council for Senior Citizens, Positive Ageing Reference Group, Volunteer Community Coordinators, Ministry of Social Policy (especially Jenni Nana), Natalie Lavery and her team from the Senior Citizens Unit, national organisations representing older people, and all those who took part in the 40 consultation meetings held around the country. I look forward to working with you all to implement the Strategy, which I am confident will help make New Zealand truly a society for all ages. Copies of the NZ Positive Ageing Strategy and 2001/2002 Action Plan are available from: Senior Citizens Unit, Ministry of Social Policy, Private Bag 39993, Wgtn, e-mail: natalie.lavery001@mosp.govt.nz, and on the websites: www.mosp.govt.nz and www.executive.govt.nz/minister/dalziel.
NEW LEGISLATION TO PROTECT RESIDENTS IN RETIREMENT VILLAGES The Government plans to introduce new legislation covering retirement villages, following a Law Commission report and recommendations. I am delighted to be overseeing the development of this legislation and its passage through the House, as I have been concerned for some time about the inadequate protection of residents in retirement villages. People move into retirement villages because they want a safe, comfortable environment, companionship, and accessible health and support services. Many are not prepared for the complex legal matters and contracts they find themselves caught up in. Common difficulties include:
My goal is to introduce legislation into the House this year that offers comprehensive protection to residents in retirement villages. I will be working with the Senior Citizens Unit and the Ministry of Social Policy to develop the new legislation, and liaising closely with the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Economic Development. I will also be talking to interested parties such as Age Concern, Grey Power and the Retirement Villages Association.
INVITATION: The Prime Minister Helen Clark will launch the New Zealand Disability Strategy at Parliament on 30 April, 2001 at 5pm. The aim of the Strategy is to remove the barriers which prevent people with disabilities from participating fully in their communities. Regional functions celebrating the launch will be held simultaneously in Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch and Dunedin. The launch will also be broadcast live, via audio link, on the NZDS website: www.nzds.govt.nz. You are most welcome to attend the Wellington launch or any of the regional functions. Please contact my office for more information.
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Welcome to the second issue of Positive Ageing, a newsletter from my office to keep you informed about policies and activities affecting older people. We have had excellent feedback from the first issue published in February, so please make sure you pass it on to your colleagues and wider networks and let us know if you want to be on our mailing list.
