Tāmaki tauawhi kaumātua, Age-friendly Auckland Draft Action Plan- Submission - October 2021

Executive Summary

We know that most injuries are predictable and preventable. We welcome the Tāmaki tauawhi kaumātua, Age-friendly Auckland Draft Action Plan and the potential it brings to influence the health and wellbeing of older adults through the synergy obtained from collective focus and collaboration.

We strongly affirm the embedding of Te Ao Māori values and commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi demonstrated in the plan and its development.

The Safety Collective contend that those who experience an injury or live with long term disabilities from an injury also are at risk of being socially excluded in Tāmaki Makaurau.

We support the inclusion of fitness programmes for older adults in the plan and recommend future inclusion of additional activities that enable and support older adults maintaining and improving their physical capabilities and skills.

Given the risk of falls increasing over time in the older age group and the potential ramifications to older adults, we respectively request that consideration be given to including the Live Stronger for Longer programme in the ‘Social Participation domain’.

We commend the Te Taio action point “Conduct an audit of the age-friendliness of facilities including parking, public transport options and access to buildings” and recommend this is extended to include increasing understanding of the barriers that exist for older adults to participate in activities run in council facilities and places.

We recommend inclusion of action activities that seek to improve understanding of the particular needs of older adults as they use the transport network in Tāmaki Makaurau.