The Selwyn Foundation

26/05/2026

Our annual Founders’ Day celebration is always a highlight, and last Friday’s 72nd anniversary commemoration at Selwyn Village was no exception.

Gathering in the Chapel of Christ the King, our Selwyn community came together to honour the bold vision of our founder, Auckland City Missioner Canon Douglas Caswell, and the generosity of our greatest benefactor, Sir Robert Kerridge. We also gave thanks for the many others who have contributed to Selwyn’s work and mission in the decades since, and we acknowledged Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei who hold ahi kā (ongoing connection and active presence) to the land at Pari-one-taka/Selwyn Village.

As we look ahead, we are energised for the future and, together, we will continue to shape an ageing experience that is more inclusive, impactful and transformative for seniors now and in the years to come.

Celebrating Founders’ Day 2026

Join us in celebrating Selwyn Village's 72nd anniversary, honoring our founders and dedicated members who continue to shape a brighter future for seniors.

15/05/2026

What an inspiring wānanga this week around improving outcomes for single older women experiencing, or at risk of, multi-domain disadvantage. With representatives from government, housing, health, philanthropy and the older persons’ sectors, we explored the Foundation’s proposed strategy and potential integrated programmes that could deliver real impact and help address the complex barriers to material and spiritual wellbeing faced by increasing numbers of single older women as they age.

Key take-outs were the importance of collaboration, building on existing systems and knowledge, intervening selectively to fill gaps, and scaling what already works. Our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed both to the strategy and at the wānanga. Together, we can help create a future where vulnerable single older women are better supported to age well in place – with agency, security and belonging.

If you are interested in this kaupapa, contact us at: [email protected].

11/05/2026

Good Shepherd New Zealand’s report on the housing challenges of older women living alone ( https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0R96r0 ) has been highlighted in the media recently. A consistent message is that housing insecurity is not the result of poor choices. Rather, it stems from system settings that have not kept pace with the realities of ageing if living alone, which leave single older women on a low income without stable, suitable or affordable housing options.

Good Shepherd NZ will be one of the many organisations from the housing, health, philanthropic and older persons’ sectors who will be attending our wānanga this week on achieving better outcomes for older women who are experiencing, or at risk of, multi-domain disadvantage. This all-day session will focus on proposed interventions and support opportunities to support single older women’s overall wellbeing as they age.

We’re greatly looking forward to working with our partners on this and to shaping meaningful change, so vulnerable single older women can age in place with security, dignity, independence and a true sense of belonging.

Finally, a quick reminder – if you’re over 55, do take part in the short Healthy Ageing survey currently underway by the Aotearoa New Zealand National Forum for the Decade of Healthy Ageing. Your voice matters! https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0R8sH0

What secure housing means for older women, the barriers they face, and opportunities to support them to age in place with dignity and connection.

04/05/2026

The Foundation is delighted to announce the recipients of our two new Ageing Well grants, designed to support research and community innovation to help older New Zealanders age well at home. Congratulations to Dr Sophie Nock (Professor at Te Pua Wānanga ki te Ao/Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies, University of Waikato) on receiving the Community Research Award, and to Dr Carl Webber (Research Fellow at Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland) on his Early-career Research Award.

Our thanks to the selection panel for their careful consideration of the many high-calibre applications received, and to the Office for Seniors New Zealand for administering the grant process. We’re confident that the research made possible by each of the $25,000 grants will provide practical guidance on how the experience of ageing in Aotearoa can be improved, so that more older people will be supported to age well in place with dignity, connection and independence.

The Selwyn Foundation announces recipients of its new Ageing Well research grants https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0Q6Mq0

Your voice matters: ageing well in Aotearoa – if you’re aged 55+, take part in the Healthy Ageing survey, an initiative of the Aotearoa New Zealand National Forum for the Decade of Healthy Ageing. It asks how confident you feel about your future, what helps you stay active and involved, and what would make the biggest difference to ageing well where you live. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and is totally confidential: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0Q6KD0

23/04/2026

New Zealanders are living longer than ever before. With the right age-friendly conditions in place, many seniors can continue to contribute, stay connected, support whānau and communities, and live well for longer in the places they call home.

In response to the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing currently underway, the Aotearoa New Zealand National Forum for the Decade of Healthy Ageing (which The Selwyn Foundation is a founding member of) is working to understand what ageing well looks like for people in their own communities and what needs to change so more people can thrive as they age.

The Forum is inviting New Zealanders aged 55+ to take part in a short survey. It asks how confident you feel about your future, what helps you stay active and involved, and what would make the biggest difference to ageing well where you live.

The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and is totally confidential. You can fill it out at: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0NNVv0

Your input will help inform practical solutions across housing, health, work and community support, so older New Zealanders are better supported to live healthy and connected lives.

17/04/2026

Great to see the latest “Business of Ageing” report highlighting the growing economic contribution of older New Zealanders.

As our population ages, we need to think differently about the role of the older workforce. Increasing numbers of people over 65 both want – and need – to remain in work, bringing valuable skills, experience and stability to our economy.

Just as important is the significant contribution older people make through unpaid work – now estimated at more than $20 billion each year – supporting families, whānau and communities across Aotearoa.

Planning for population ageing is not a future issue – it’s a reality now. By aligning our policies and systems to keep pace with this reality, we can better support older New Zealanders to continue contributing, stay connected and to live well as they age – unlocking significant economic and social value for us all.

Population ageing is reshaping New Zealand’s workforce.

In 2024, around 217,400 people aged 65 and over were in work.

By 2074, that number is projected to more than double to 477,800, nearly 11% of the national workforce.

This isn’t a short-term trend. It reflects longer working lives and changing expectations about employment later in life.

The change is here now, but as our population changes, older workers will play an increasingly important role in our economy.

Find out more www.officeforseniors.govt.nz/businessofageing

25/03/2026

It was an honour to support the launch of Christchurch Methodist Mission’s cross-party ‘Doors to Dignity’ campaign at Parliament this week. The campaign highlights how homelessness amongst older people is at crisis levels, with the situation rapidly worsening, and advocates for cross-party support for government investment in more affordable, accessible and appropriate housing for seniors.

As part of the launch, The Selwyn Foundation’s Chief Executive Denise Cosgrove also took part in the panel discussion on solutions to the older persons housing crisis and had an opportunity to view the activist photographic exhibition, Listen Up! Seniors Take a Stand on Housing – WHAKARONGO MAI! E tū tohe ana ngā kaumātua mō ngā take whare, on display at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul.

Denise and Christchurch Methodist Mission Executive Director Jill Hawkey are pictured at the campaign launch below. For more: https://www.doorstodignity.nz

24/03/2026

The Selwyn Foundation is proud to partner with Te Kōhao Health of Kirikiriroa Hamilton on the first of our Te Whare Mahara/Wellness Centres to provide place-based, culturally appropriate care and support for kaumātua with mate wareware/dementia.

A ceremonial turning of the sod and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding yesterday between the two partners mark the beginning of the new whare – the first dedicated kaupapa Māori day centre for elders living with the illness to be co-designed with Māori for Māori.

This will be the first of several specialised centres developed within a tikanga and te ao Māori framework which the Foundation is looking to deliver in partnership with Iwi and Māori provider organisations. With the ageing of the population and increasing rates of mate wareware/dementia, these much-needed services will therefore enable kaumātua to age with dignity and respect in their own homes and communities and provide important respite for their whānau/family carers.

For more, visit https://www.selwynfoundation.org.nz/news/m%C4%81ori-led-dementia-respite-care-centre-breaks-new-ground-in-waikato

20/03/2026

The Foundation is delighted to welcome Olivia Poulsen as the new CEO of Haumaru Housing, our homes for older people partnership with Auckland Council. We look forward to working with Olivia as she leads the team in this next exciting phase of growth and development.

Olivia Poulsen appointed as the new CEO of Haumaru Housing, bringing over 20 years of leadership experience to support affordable housing for older people in Auckland.

19/03/2026

Thank you to Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Porou for your very warm welcome and hospitality on Wednesday. We hope that our support can help in some way as your kaumātua recover from the devastating flooding that affected your communities earlier this year. Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui - Be strong, be brave, be steadfast!