Enhancing the lives of senior residents in New Plymouth.

Our Story

A little about us.

The Positive Ageing Group was formed in 1999 to celebrate the International Year of Older People. In 2004, the group became the Positive Ageing Trust, a charitable organization dedicated to promoting positive attitudes towards ageing and improving the lives of seniors in New Plymouth.

The Board

The Positive Ageing New Plymouth Board is made up of up to 10 elected trustees from the local community. These trustees represent the community and make decisions on behalf of the organization. They promote positive attitudes towards ageing and support the elderly population in New Plymouth.

Popular Predictions

16% of the population is currently aged 65 and over. This is predicted to increase to 20% in the 2030s. We have created an organization to improve attitudes and communication with stakeholders and local government regarding the ageing population.

Our objectives.

Information

Networking is a priority for our organization, and we work closely with a variety of groups to share information and resources. By maintaining strong partnerships with these organizations and providing contact details, we are able to ensure that the community is well-informed about the resources and support available to seniors. This helps to ensure that elderly citizens are able to access the services and support they need in order to maintain their health and well-being, and enables them to live more fulfilling and independent lives. In this way, our networking efforts contribute to the overall health and well-being of the senior community by helping to provide access to important information and resources.

Education

Coordinating relevant free information sessions with groups such as Grey Power and Age Concern helps to educate people about a variety of topics that are important to seniors. These sessions provide a valuable opportunity for community members to learn more about issues that affect elderly citizens, as well as to connect with others who have similar interests and concerns. By offering this type of educational programming, we are able to support the lifelong learning and personal growth of seniors, as well as to foster greater understanding and appreciation of the unique needs and contributions of the elderly within our community.

Advocacy

Our organization works to provide advocacy for seniors by maintaining partnerships with Local Government and Health Agencies, speaking out on behalf of the elderly community, and working to change attitudes toward the elderly. By collaborating with these agencies and advocating for the needs and concerns of seniors, we are able to ensure that the voices of elderly citizens are heard and that their needs are taken into consideration when policies and plans are being developed. We also work to address the challenges and opportunities that come with demographic changes, and have a close involvement and interest in the outcomes for elderly citizens in our district. Through these efforts, we aim to promote the health, well-being, and independence of seniors in our community.

What makes us.

The local government and health agencies play a vital role in promoting the well-being of our older community members and ensuring their success in positive ageing principles. Their efforts are crucial in addressing the unique challenges and needs of our senior citizens, allowing them to age with dignity, independence, and quality of life. It is essential that we support and prioritize these agencies in our community.

Positive Ageing is an umbrella organisation – a coalition of:

Older Age Organisations

Non-Government Organisations

Government Agencies

Local Government

Health and Tertiary Agencies

What is our purpose?

Instituting the World Health Organisation with the age-friendly community

An awareness, 10 years ago, of a significant increase in the older population (27% by 2026, according to the Health Board’s estimate).

The need for organizations to work closely together to make a difference, as no single organization can tackle the challenges alone.

The importance of developing a combined strong voice on issues and planning to meet the needs of these demographic changes.

Efforts to change attitudes towards the elderly.

Influencing stakeholders and local government, health agencies, and others to prepare for an ageing population.

Building relationships and improving communication between kindred organizations, local government, government agencies, the business community, and the wider community.