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New Zealand welcomes the Secretary General’s Report on follow-up to the Second World Assembly on Ageing and the opportunity this provides for us to focus on progress made in the five years since the Madrid Plan of Action on Ageing. We look forward to the Commission for Social Development’s conclusions on the first cycle of the review and appraisal in February 2008.
The New Zealand Government has three strategic priority themes for the next decade: Economic Transformation, National Identity, and Families – Young and Old. The Families – Young and Old theme has five interdependent sub-themes one of which is ‘Positive Ageing’. These themes inform government-wide planning processes.
The Government’s commitment to the Families – Young and Old priority theme has resulted in additional funding allocated for programmes that assist older people, including increased funding for home based support services and residential care for older New Zealanders.
New Zealand established an Office for Senior Citizens in 1990 to support the Minister for Senior Citizens to advocate at Cabinet for the wellbeing of older people today and in the future. The Office leads, monitors and promotes the New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy, develops policy and legislation to advance and protect the rights and interests of older people and provides second opinion policy advice on issues that affect older people.
New Zealand recognises the importance of regular consultation with older people in the community on policy development issues. By encouraging older people to continue to participate in their communities, all New Zealanders benefit from their valuable knowledge, skills and experience.
