Supporting seniors through Budget 2022

The Government will support seniors through a number of initiatives announced in Budget 2022.

The Government is investing $3.103 million over four years to continue implementing the Better Later Life – He Oranga Kaumātua 2019 to 2034 strategy and its Action Plan He Mahere Hohenga 2021-2024 through three priority actions to encourage digital inclusion, senior entrepreneurship, and shared housing. 

The digital inclusion initiative includes digital literacy training and support to enable older people to embrace technology and access essential services.

The senior entrepreneurship initiative will pilot programmes to support senior entrepreneurs in establishing sustainable businesses, including those not currently well-represented in entrepreneurial activities, such as older Māori, Pacific people, and women.

The shared housing initiative will pilot programmes to encourage home sharing by older people providing an affordable housing option and supporting them to age in place.

And in a pre-budget announcement on May 10, the Government announced that it would be investing in developing new approaches to prevent elder abuse as part of a $37.625 million family violence prevention package. This will include trialling innovative approaches to prevent elder abuse and developing and testing digital and media prevention solutions.