The population profile
Currently, the median age for people in the Whangarei District is 38.4 years. For New Zealand as a whole, the median age is 35.9 years. The median age is projected to be 41.5 years in the year 2041 and could be 50.1 years by the year 2061 for people in the Whangarei District.
Whangarei District's future population profile is also likely to relect many of the national population trends, which include a predicted increase in the proportion of people aged over 65 years.
The proportions of the older age groups (45-64 years and 65 years and over) are projected to steadily increase. Currently 14.8% of people in the Whangarei District are aged 65 years and over. By 2041, this is projected to increase to 26%, and to 29% by 2061.
Council's role
In response to the projected growth of the numbers within the older population (which is also becoming more ethnically diverse), the Government released the New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy in 2001.
Council's Positive Ageing Strategy "Ageing in our Place" reflects the key themes of the New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy and our long term vision for the district.
Council resolved to establish a Positive Ageing Advisory Group in order to provide an appropriate district-wide structure to assist Council with the implementation of it's Strategy. The Positive Ageing Advisory Group (PAAG) provides advice on issues affecting the older people in the community.
We have a dedicated Community Sector Liaison Officer whose role it is to feed this advice from PAAG back to Council and share the corresponding results of this information exchange back to PAAG.
To read or download the Positive Ageing Strategy, follow the link below.
Positive Ageing Strategy - 'Ageing in Our Place" [281kb]
PAAG and Council
The role of PAAG is:
- to gather and distribute information.
- provide feedback to Council.
- share skills and ideas.
- help to identify gaps and co-ordinate resources.
- positively influence all members of the community to understand positive ageing needs and strategies.
Membership of the Positive Ageing Advisory Group is representative of key local stakeholders separate from Council but includes one District Councillor. This support group includes representatives from central government, non-government and community organisations who have a role in enabling older persons to positively age in place. It includes any person appointed to represent Whangarei within the Volunteer Community Coordinator Programme of the Office for Senior Citizens.
The goals and objectives of PAAG's Action Plan provide both a framework for Council to work within and a benchmark by which their performance can be measured.
The role of Council is to plan, prioritise, and co-ordinate delivery of positive ageing initiatives across the district in so far as financial resources allow, while balancing the total needs of the community.
Positive Ageing Advisory Group - Terms of Reference [187.6kb]