Policies that work for older people
Age Concern New Zealand plays an important role responding to government and non-government policy development initiatives. We are also proactive in addressing older people's issues directly with government.
If proposed policy changes affect older people we make submissions (written and sometimes oral) to the appropriate bodies, such as select committees for government consultations.
Proposed law changes may directly harm older people or may have indirect consequences. Age Concern New Zealand is experienced at spotting both.
Where an existing law causes problems or unfairness for older people, Age Concern New Zealand can engage with the relevant minister or agency to work toward a solution. Amendments of existing statutes or regulations is one of the solutions we can offer. Media comment on issues outside of the policy area can draw off our policy expertise.
We work with local Age Concerns to highlight strategic local issues so that policy development from the national perspective can help with a solution.
Briefings to Ministers
Our Briefings aim to —
- alert Ministers to key issues for older New Zealanders
- explain what Age Concern is doing to make a difference
- encourage Ministers to support us in our work for older people
Coming soon Briefing to Ministers, MPs and political parties on what matters to older people
Older briefings:
Biefing to the Minister for Senior Citizens late May 2010 > READ our Briefing to the Minister [opens small PDF file]
Updated Briefing to the Minister of Health April 2010 > READ our Briefing to the Minister of Health [opens small PDF file]
Briefings to Incoming Ministers (2009)
Minister for Senior Citizens Read our information for Hon John Carter. > DOWNLOAD
Minister of Health Read our information for Hon Tony Ryall. > DOWNLOAD
Minister for Social Development Read our information for Hon Paula Bennett. > DOWNLOAD
Policy & Submissions 2011
Age Concern New Zealand's policy work, including responses to consultation, written submissions and other matters undertaken by our policy group are posted here.
|
Subject (by date) |
Date |
Consulted by/to |
|
Review of Requirements for Urban Buses [PDF file, 0.2MB] |
8 June |
NZ Transport Agency |
|
Crimes Amendment Bill No.2 [prevention of Elder Abuse - PDF file 0.2MB] |
3 June |
Social Services Select Committee |
|
Part 20 of the Statutes Amendment Bill (No. 2) |
13 May |
Government Administration Select Committee |
Policy & Submissions 2010
|
Subject (by date) |
Date |
Consulted by/to |
|
16 Dec |
Pharmac |
|
|
Dementia services and mental health and addiction services for older people [PDF file 0.17MB] |
10 Dec |
Ministry of Health |
|
8 Dec |
Age-Related Residential Care Review |
|
|
17 Sep |
Department of Building and Housing |
|
|
Draft New Zealand Energy Strategy [PDF file, 0.15MB] |
31 Aug |
Min of Economic Development |
|
Advance Care Plans feedback [PDF file, 0.2MB] |
30 Jul |
Ministry of Health |
|
Regulations for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss [PDF file, 0.1MB] |
18 Jun |
ACC |
|
Financial Advisers' AFA Draft Code of Conduct [PDF file, 0.2MB] |
6 May |
Financial Advisers' Code Committee |
|
Review of Retirement Income Policy 2010 [PDF file, 0.2MB] |
30 Apr |
The Retirement Commissioner |
|
The standard of services provided by rest homes [PDF file 0.1MB] |
16 Apr |
Health Committee |
|
SuperGold Card - Review of free off-peak public transport options [PDF file - 0.3MB] |
23 Apr |
NZTA |
|
Financial Service Providers Bill - further changes [PDF file, 0.1MB] |
25 Mar |
Commerce Committee |
|
The New Zealand Health Survey [PDF file, 0.1MB] |
10 Mar |
Ministry of Health |
|
Electricity Industry Bill [PDF file, 0.2MB] |
Feb |
Finance and Expenditure Committee |
Policy & Submissions 2009
|
Subject |
Date |
Consulted by/to |
|
Proposed Minimum Standards of Ethical Behaviour and Client Care for Authorised Financial Advisers [PDF file, 0.2MB] |
Dec 09 |
Code Committee for Financial Advisers |
|
Future of the Telecommunications Relay Service in NZ (supporting the National Council for the Deaf) |
Dec 09 |
Ministry of Economic Development |
|
Retirement Villages Disclosure Statements (with Grey Power) [PDF file, 0.2MB] |
Dec 09 |
Department of Building and Housing |
|
[Electricity] Grid Planning Assumptions (with the Domestic Energy Users' Group) [PDF file, 0.02MB] |
Nov 09 |
Electricity Commission |
|
Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Compensation Amendment Bill 90-1[on ACC hearing loss cover] [opens 0.1MB PDF file in new window] |
Nov 09 |
Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee |
|
Finance Company Failures [PDF file, 0.16MB] |
Oct 09 |
Inquiry into Finance Company Failures |
|
Safer Journeys discussion document (Road safety) [PDF file, 0.13MB] |
Sept 09 |
Ministry of Transport |
|
Meeting the Challenge Report of the Ministerial Working Group (the Horn Report on Health) [PDF file, 0.13MB] |
Sept 09 |
Minister of Health |
|
The Infrastructure Bill [PDF file, 0.11MB] |
Sept 09 |
Transport and Industry Committee |
|
Ministerial Review of Electricity Market Performance [PDF file, 0.12MB] |
Sept 09 |
Ministry of Economic Development |
|
Financial Advisers Act 2008: |
Aug 09 |
Ministry of Economic Development |
|
Staff Paper on Regulating and Supervising Financial Advisers [PDF file, 0.14MB] |
Jul 09 |
The Securities Commission |
|
May 09 |
||
|
Submission on primary health care to the Primary Health Care Advisory Council [PDF file, 0.02MB] |
May 09 |
Primary Health Care Advisory Council |
|
Social Assistance (Payment of New Zealand Superannuation and Veterans Pension Overseas) Amendment Bill (with Grey Power) [PDF file, 0.02MB] |
May 09 |
Social Services Committee |
|
Review of the H&DC Act and the 2009 Consumers' Rights Code [PDF file, 0.02MB] |
Mar 09 |
Health and Disability Commissioner |
|
Submission on the Emissions Trading Scheme Review |
Feb 09 |
|
|
Domestic Violence (Enhancing Safety) Bill [PDF file, 0.02MB] |
Feb 09 |
Justice and Electoral Select Committee |
|
Draft statement on advertising [PDF file, 0.02MB] |
Jan 09 |
The Medical Council of New Zealand |
Policy & Submissions 2008
|
Report subject |
Date |
Consulted by/to |
|
Auckland Governance [PDF file, 0.05MB] |
Apr 08 |
The Royal Commission on Auckland Governance |
|
Financial Advisers Bill [PDF file, 0.05MB] |
Apr 08 |
Finance & Expenditure Committee |
|
Public Health Bill [PDF file, 0.03MB] |
Mar 08 |
Health Committee |
|
Affordable Housing Bill (Enabling TLAs) [PDF file, 0.04MB] |
Feb 08 |
Local Government and Environment Committee |
|
HDC's Naming Policy [PDF file, 0.08MB] |
Feb 08 |
Health and Disability Commissioner |
|
Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Compensation Amendment Bill (No 2) [PDF file, 0.05MB] |
Feb 08 |
Transport and Industrial Relations Committee |
|
Review of the Domestic Violence Act 1995 and Related Legislation [PDF file, 0.04MB] |
Feb 08 |
Ministry of Justice |
Policy & Submissions 2007
Highlights from Age Concern New Zealand's policy work January to December 2007.
|
Subject (by date) |
Date |
Consulted by/to |
|
Tax treatment of honoraria and reimbursements [PDF file, 0.2MB] |
Dec 07 |
Inland Revenue Department |
|
Public Transport Management Bill [PDF file, 0.2MB] |
Dec 07 |
Transport and Industrial Relations Committee |
|
Caring For New Zealand Carers – Your Life, Your Work, Your Say [PDF file, 0.3MB] |
Sep 07 |
Ministry of Social Development |
|
The Rates Rebate Scheme (with Grey Power) [PDF file, 0.3MB] |
Aug 07 |
Minister of Internal Affairs |
|
Inquiry into the future monetary policy framework [PDF file, 0.1MB] |
Jul 07 |
Finance and Expenditure Select Committee |
|
Taxation (Annual Rates, Business Taxation, KiwiSaver, and Remedial Matters) Bill [PDF file, 0.07MB] |
Jul 07 |
Finance and Expenditure Select Committee |
|
Submission on Insurance Guidelines [PDF file, 0.06MB] |
Jul 07 |
Human Rights Commission |
|
Inquiry into housing affordability in New Zealand [PDF file, 0.07MB] |
Jun 07 |
Commerce Select Committee |
|
Variation to the Retirement Villages Code of Practice 2006 (with Grey Power) [PDF file, 0.07MB] |
May 07 |
Retirement Commissioner |
|
The Public Consultation on Local Government Rates Inquiry [PDF file, 0.08MB] |
Apr 07 |
Rates Inquiry |
|
Home Equity Conversion Schemes [PDF file, 0.07MB] |
Mar 07 |
Office for Senior Citizens |
|
Medicines Strategy [PDF file, 0.04MB] |
Mar 07 |
Ministry of Health |
|
Protection of Personal and Property Rights Amendment Bill [PDF file, 0.04MB] |
Feb 07 |
Social Services Select Committee |
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Policy & Submissions 2006
Highlights from Age Concern New Zealand's policy work January to December 2006.
|
Report subject (alphabetical) |
Date |
Consulted by/To |
|
Accommodation Supplement, Review of |
Aug 06 |
Ministry of Social Development, Working Age People’s Policy and Housing New Zealand Corp |
|
Aug 06 |
Ministry of Health |
|
|
Nov 06 |
Justice and Electoral Select Committee |
|
|
Care and Support in the Community Setting Discussion Paper |
Jul 06 |
Health Workforce Advisory Committee |
|
CEDAW Report (6th) |
Feb 06 |
Ministry of Women’s Affairs |
|
Consultation process for a Strategic Planning Discussion Document and Questionnaire |
Aug 06 |
New Zealand Family Violence Clearinghouse |
|
DHB Nursing Workforce Strategy Group Discussion paper |
Jul 06 |
District Health Boards New Zealand |
|
Employment Relations (Flexible Working Hours) Amendment Bill |
Feb 06 |
Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee |
|
Dec 06 |
Department of Labour |
|
|
Employment Relations (Probationary Employment) Amendment Bill |
May 06 |
Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee |
|
Dec 06 |
Electoral Office |
|
|
Health & Disability Sector Standards, Infection Control Standard, Restraint Minimization and Safe practice Standard and National Mental Health Standard, Review of |
Jun 06 |
Ministry of Health |
|
May 06 |
Health Select Committee |
|
|
Inquiry into the quality and care of services provision for disabled people and how they might be improved (TOR) |
Aug 06 |
Social Services Select Committee |
|
Mar 06 |
Land Transport Safety Authority |
|
|
National Drug Policy 2006-2011 |
May 06 |
Ministry of Health |
|
Aug 06 |
District Health Boards New Zealand |
|
|
NZ Superannuation and Veterans’ Pensions (Entitlements of Spouses and Partners of People in Long-term Residential Care and Remedial Matters) Bill |
Mar 06 |
Social Services Select Committee |
|
Official Information (Openness of District Health Boards New Zealand) Amendment Bill |
Oct 06 |
Health Select Committee |
|
Palliative Care Scoping Report |
Jul 06 |
Palliative Care Advisory Committee |
|
Proposed Mechanism to Implement a Central Registry |
Jul 06 |
Gas Industry Co |
|
Psychosocial Recovery Planning Guidelines, National Health Emergency Plan |
Jul 06 |
Ministry of Health |
|
May 06 |
Department of Building and Housing |
|
|
Feb 06 |
Department of Building and Housing |
|
|
Rural Ranking Scale, Review of the |
Sep 06 |
Ministry of Health |
|
Safety Through Environmental Design Guidelines |
Mar 06 |
Accident Compensation Corporation |
|
Jul 06 |
Social Services Select Committee |
|
|
Nov 06 |
Justice and Electoral Select Committee |
|
|
Taxation (Annual Rates, Savings Investment and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill |
Jul 06 |
Finance and Expenditure Select Committee |
|
Jun 06 |
Department of Building and Housing |
|
|
Nov 06 |
Justice and Electoral Select Committee |
Correspondence with Ministers
> READ our open letter to the Prime Minister
> READ selections from our mailbox
Other information
Read our manifesto: Towards a Positive Future – Policies and Aims of Age Concern New Zealand
> DOWNLOAD a PDF
Election 2008: Before the last election, we asked all the registered political parties about their policies for older New Zealanders. Read their responses in the Age Concern New Zealand survey of Political Parties 2008. > DOWNLOAD
Contact: Age Concern New Zealand
Chief Executive Officer
Age Concern New Zealand
P O Box 10 688
Wellington 6143Ph: 0-4-801 9338
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