9. KATRINA SHANKS (National) Link to this
to the Minister for Senior Citizens
What is the Government doing to be kept informed on issues that affect older New Zealanders?
Hon Darren Hughes
Hon JOHN CARTER (Minister for Senior Citizens) Link to this
Apart from reaching the age, as the Minister for Senior Citizens I meet regularly with national organisations that advocate for and represent older people, such as Grey Power and Age Concern New Zealand. This engagement allows me to keep up to date with issues of national importance for older people. I am also fortunate to have a group of 50 people called Volunteer Community Co-ordinators, who live from Cape Reinga to the Bluff and who keep me informed on issues that affect their communities. Not only do they provide me with the opinions of older people but also they contribute to the development of policy and services that impact on senior citizens.
Volunteer Community Co-ordinators recently helped the Ministry of Social Development redevelop the department’s forms that older people most frequently use, and told us how it would like the ministry to deliver services to older people. However, Volunteer Community Co-ordinators is not limited to its work with the Ministry of Social Development. For example, it recently prepared a submission to Pharmac’s consumer advisory committee on its review of its terms of reference, which the Minister of Health was very pleased to acknowledge. It also works with local district councils to promote positive ageing, and is heavily involved in planning the International Day of Older Persons.