The Selwyn Foundation

21/08/2026

The New Zealand Council Of Christian Social Services’ ‘Older Persons Poverty Monitor 2026 Report’ was launched at Parliament this week. The report, supported by The Selwyn Foundation, is the first-ever measure of older people's poverty in Aotearoa New Zealand. It reveals that nearly one in five are living in hardship and highlights levels of hardship that the country should no longer accept.

The Monitor establishes a baseline across ten measures covering income, essentials, housing, social connection and health - and these first results should make us, as a society, deeply concerned. The findings provide an important foundation for action and should form part of the national conversation ahead of this year’s General Election.

As part of the launch, The Selwyn Foundation’s CEO Denise Cosgrove hosted a cross-party political panel on the key drivers of older people’s poverty and the opportunities for change.

For more:

19 August 2026 For the first time, New Zealand has a national baseline for measuring poverty among older people - and the results reveal levels of hardship the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) says the country should no longer accept. The inaugural Older Persons Poverty Moni...

03/08/2026

Last Friday we hosted Ngāti Kahu Hauora at the Selwyn Village. It was a great opportunity to connect, strengthen our relationship, and share more about Te Hauora Mahara - our kaupapa Māori initiative supporting kaumātua living with mate wareware (dementia).

We look forward to continuing this partnership and learning from one another as we progress this important kaupapa.

15/06/2026

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, observed each year on 15 June, reminds us all that older people have the right to feel safe, respected and valued in their homes and communities. In New Zealand, it is estimated that as many as one in ten seniors will experience some form of abuse, but many cases go unreported. Elder abuse is not always obvious or physical: it can include financial pressure, threats, neglect, isolation or controlling behaviour. The person responsible can be someone who is known and trusted, which can make it harder to speak up.

The Office for Seniors New Zealand and Age Concern New Zealand work to raise awareness of elder abuse and help older people understand their rights and options and how to better protect their wellbeing.

For more information, visit: Elder Abuse Response Service | Te Tari Kaumātua (https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0ZzFq0), Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention (https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0ZyRB0)

10/06/2026

Today is Age Without Limits Day – this UK initiative is a chance to challenge ageism and celebrate the value, experience and contributions of older people across our communities and workplaces.

At The Selwyn Foundation, we're proud to support initiatives that challenge ageism and promote positive attitudes towards older people, including the Age Friendly Media Guide developed by the Aotearoa New Zealand National Forum for the Decade of Healthy Ageing.

This Age Without Limits Day, let's create a future where ageing is celebrated and where everyone, regardless of their age, can live with dignity, respect and opportunity.

The Age Friendly Media Guide - promoting respectful and inclusive storytelling https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0YSkx0

The ways that we talk about and portray our older population could have a big impact on the wellbeing of older people.

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