What's our goal?
We want Hamilton to be one of the friendliest places for those who are 65 and older to live. We’re focussed on future-proofing the city's facilities, support, and services, especially as the number of New Zealanders aged 65+ is expected to double to between 1.3 and 1.5 million by 2046.
Why is it important?
In 2018 we had 20,000 people aged over 65 living in Hamilton. This number is expected to increase to 37,000 by 2030, 52,000 by 2040 and 66,000 by 2050. This will impact the design of facilities and infrastructure around the city.
How are we doing it?
We got together with community agencies, organisations and businesses to develop our Hamilton Age-Friendly Plan 2021-2024. Hamilton was also the country's first city to join the World Health Organisation’s Age-Friendly Network of Cities and Communities in 2018, which was championed by the Age-Friendly Hamilton Steering Group.
Resources for older people
Whether you’re new to Hamilton or not, you’ll find some useful information for you and your families including our older people in our 2022 Your Guide to Hamilton.
Our Diversity Tool Kit is a handy guide for employers, community groups and other service providers. It's intended to give some understanding of the cultural, ethnic and religious differences among our city's residents and how we can respect and appreciate those.
Your city’s future
Planning and strategy
Our Age-Friendly Plan 2021-2024 has more than 40 actions to be progressed over the next three years, involving dozens of local groups and organisations. It was developed using nine age-friendly themes:
- outdoor spaces and buildings
- transport and mobility
- respect and social inclusion
- social participation
- civic participation and enjoyment
- communication and information
- housing
- community support and health services
- safety.
The Plan's implementation is being overseen by a group of experts in older people’s issues. This group reports to Council every six months, and there are also twice-yearly updates on the Plan’s implementation provided to the Council's Community Committee.
Disability Policy
Many older people in our city have age-related disabilities. Our Disability Policy provides high level guidelines for us to use to ensure people with disabilities have equity and access, enabling them to participate fully in the life of Hamilton. It has been developed and refreshed regularly in collaboration with key disability sector representatives.
Disability Action Plan
Our Disability Action Plan has also been developed in collaboration with the disability sector. It outlines specific actions that Council units will undertake to fulfil the objectives of the policy. Our partners included the Disabled Persons Assembly, Enabling Good Lives, CCS Disability Waikato, Blind and Low Vision Foundation, Deaf Aotearoa, Enrich Plus, Life Unlimited.
Waikato Wellbeing Project
Our Council is part of the Waikato Wellbeing Project (WWP). This is a community-led initiative that is developing wellbeing targets for the Waikato, based on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its 10 goals include a focus on health, housing and hardship - three areas which can become more challenging to deal with for those growing older.
Other planning and strategy initiatives
- Our Community and Social Development Strategy 2021-2026 (He Rautaki Whakawhanake Hapori) encompasses the needs of our diverse communities. One of its outcomes is high community use of our places and services because they are accessible, safe and welcoming.
- Our Welcoming Plan has aged-focused support as part of its overarching goal of ensuring all Hamiltonians get the most out of their community and the opportunities Hamilton can offer. You can also contribute to updates in the Plan – see information on the Plan in welcoming communities.
- Council’s He Pou Manawa Ora – Pillars of Wellbeing strategy, sets out how Council will work with others using the pillars (pou) of History, Unity, Prosperity and Restoration to build a proud and inclusive city for the wellbeing of all its people, including older people.
Council decision-making - have your say
As a significant part of Hamilton’s community, we also want to make sure older people (and the organisations that support them) have a voice in Council decision-making.
See share your voice for more details.
You might like to join Hamilton’s Age-Friendly Group and/or our Access Advisory Group. Contact our Senior Community Advisors (Older People and/or Disability) on 07 838 6699.
Get involved in your community
Council supports a variety of events and provides venues and facilities where all Hamiltonians can connect and/or collaborate as individuals or groups.
Getting out and about
Our city also has some great public spaces and places everyone can enjoy. Many of these are ideal for bringing Hamilton’s older people together for a variety of educational, community group-related or just plain fun-related activities!
Note that Claudelands Globox Arena, FMG Stadium Waikato, and Seddon Park are designed to make it easier to use these venues e.g. wheelchair access. Visit their websites or phone 07 929 3000 to get more accessibility information for each venue.
You can find out how Council’s information, services, funding and resources are helping Hamiltonians to use our public spaces and places more – and how your group can use them.
To find out about mobility parking spaces and access in Hamilton see our mobility parking page and view our map.
Council’s community meetings
Find out about Hamilton’s regular community network meetings. These are for all residents including those who have recently moved to the city.
Community groups
Use the links below to connect to your community’s groups and networks. You’ll also find a comprehensive contact list of community groups across Hamilton, in our 2022 Your Guide to Hamilton.
- Age Concern Hamilton – enhances quality of life for older people, through services, support and information.
- Hamilton SeniorNet – specialised computer and internet courses for older people.
- Grey Power (Hamilton) – monitors and meets politicians and key organisations to advocate for and promote the welfare and wellbeing of all New Zealanders aged 50+.
- CCS Disability Action – Hamilton – supports and advocates for disabled people and positively shapes others’ attitudes towards those with disabilities.
- Disabled Persons Assembly (NZ) – works with the disability community, the Government, the wider community, media, and disability service providers, so disabled people’s views and needs are heard by decision-makers.
- Enabling Good Lives (NZ) – ensures disabled people have more choice, control and support in their lives.
- Blind and Low Vision Foundation (NZ) – provides practical and emotional support to people who are blind or have low vision, advocates for inclusive communities, and leads the way in vision rehabilitation.
- Deaf Aotearoa (NZ) – provides a range of services for the deaf community, from employment support to assistance with equipment.
- Enrich Plus (Waikato) – provides programmes and works alongside those living with disabilities, autism or neurodiversity, their whaanau and community.
- Life Unlimited (NZ) – provides health and disability services, advice and equipment to people with disabilities to achieve Living Independence For Everyone (LIFE).
- Sport Waikato – sport and keep fit activities for older adults.
- Volunteering Waikato – matches volunteers with people and organisations.
These links could be useful if you are Maaori or Pasifika (of any age), or have a disability, or if you are caring for these people.
- Rauawaawa Kaumātua Charitable Trust – a Kaumaatua-governed and led organisation servicing the needs of Kaumaatua (aged 55+) within Hamilton Kirikiriroa.
- K’aute Pasifika Services – supports those with disabilities in the Pasifika community.
- Progress to Health – supports people with mental and physical disabilities throughout Waikato, Taranaki and Taupō.
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Last updated 10 May 2023