New Zealand's population is ageing rapidly — by 2050, one in four New Zealanders will be over 65. This demographic shift creates both opportunity (more experienced, active older New Zealanders contributing to communities) and challenge (increased demand for health, social, and care services). Philanthropy plays a significant role in funding programmes that support older people to age well, maintain dignity, and remain connected to their communities.
Population ageing
Key challenges for older New Zealanders
Superannuation (NZ Super)
NZ Super — universal superannuation payable to all NZ residents from age 65 — is the primary income support for older New Zealanders. Currently approximately $22,000/year for a single person living alone.
Health and Disability System
Older people access health services through the health system, with Home and Community Support Services (HCSS) and Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) enabling community-based support for those with higher needs.
Aged Residential Care (ARC)
Publicly-subsidised residential care for older people with high support needs — funded through the NASC system, with means-tested residential care subsidies.
Ministry for Seniors / Office for Seniors
The Office for Seniors funds some elder-focused initiatives — including projects addressing elder abuse, isolation, and active ageing.
Age Concern New Zealand
Age Concern is a national charitable organisation supporting older New Zealanders — with regional networks providing services and advocacy. Age Concern receives government contracts and charitable funding.
Alzheimers NZ
Alzheimers NZ supports people living with dementia and their carers — through regional societies providing advocacy, information, and support groups.
Presbyterian Support
Presbyterian Support New Zealand provides elder care, community services, and retirement villages — a significant charitable provider funded through government contracts and philanthropy.
Methodist Mission / Wesley Lifestyles
Methodist Mission and related organisations provide social services including elder care — funded through government and charitable sources.
Lotteries Community
Lotteries grants fund elder care and older people's wellbeing programmes.
Gaming trusts
Gaming trusts fund a wide range of elder care initiatives:
- Equipment for older people's activities
- Transport for isolated older people
- Day programmes and social activities
Community foundations
Local community foundations fund elder wellbeing programmes — particularly addressing isolation.
The J.R. McKenzie Trust
J.R. McKenzie has funded elder wellbeing including isolation reduction.
Isolation and loneliness
Community day programmes and activities
Dementia support
Elder abuse prevention
Māori elder care
Home support
Dignity-centred: older people are not charity recipients — they are community members with decades of experience and contribution. Effective programmes treat older people as participants and leaders, not passive beneficiaries.
Social connection: isolation is one of the greatest threats to older people's health. Programmes that build genuine social connection — not just activities but relationships — are most effective.
Community integration: rather than segregating older people in age-specific settings, effective philanthropy invests in intergenerational programmes and community integration.
Equity: Māori and Pacific older people, and older people in poverty, face compounding disadvantage. Culturally responsive, equity-focused elder care philanthropy addresses these disparities.
Carer support: many older people are supported by unpaid family carers. Investing in carer support — respite, information, peer connection — sustains the informal care system that most older people depend on.
Tahua's grants management platform supports funders investing in elder care and older people's wellbeing — with programme outcome tracking, isolation reduction measurement, community connection data, and the portfolio tools that help funders build coherent investment in ageing well across New Zealand communities.