Last week the Office for Seniors - a division of the Ministry for Social Development - hosted the National Age Friendly Forum in the historic Parliament Buildings, in Wellington. Representatives from senior interest groups, local government and iwi groups as well as community providers gathered at the heart of New Zealand's government to discuss issues around our ageing populations and share ideas on how to keep the elder members of our communities safe and engaged. There is a strong desire amongst all of these groups to have a society in which our eldest members feel valued and included.
Dianne Turner, Whakatane local and now Director of the Office For Seniors, has had long experience working at both central and local government level and is very aware of how important collaboration from all groups involved will lead to the best outcomes for retired people. Hopefully this will become a regular event where both feedback from ageing communities and helping agencies can be taken up, and applied to the work we do in our own communities.
If you have any issues you would like to be brought to the attention of the Office For Seniors, or MSD, let us know by calling DRCT on 07 307 1447 or drop us a line at information@drct.co.nz
Age Friendly Forum, Parliament 2018
Dianne Turner, Director of Office For Seniors at the Age Friendly Forum 2018. This beautiful room was the original Parliament debating Chamber
(Left to right) Dani Jugeleit, Community Development Advisor Tauranga City Council, Dianne Turner, Director at Office for Seniors, Amanda Perfect, Information Services Coordinator at Disabilities Resource Centre Trust Whakatane.
Collaborative work between our agancies is an important way to provide the best outcomes for seniors, and Dani and the TCC have been generously helping with our Beach Access Mat project here in Whakatane