Latest news with #AgeConcernOtago
Otago Daily Times
11-06-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Signs of elder abuse in spotlight
The serious, but often hidden, issue of elder abuse in New Zealand is top of mind for the Age Concern Otago team, which is working hard to keep older people in the region safe. This Sunday is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a time to shine a light on the mistreatment of older people and call for collective action to stand up for seniors and ensure they can live with dignity, respect and safety. Age Concern Otago chief executive Mike Williams, who took up the role in January, said the organisation's dedicated Elder Abuse Response Service (EARS) team were busier than ever. The EARS team of four social workers, led by Central Otago-based Rosanna Pritchard, supported 387 older people last year experiencing alleged elder abuse across the region. Types of abuse reported included emotional, financial and physical abuse, along with neglect — often at the hands of those they trusted most. Across New Zealand, Age Concern was involved in 2817 cases of elder abuse from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. Of those allegedly causing the harm, 88% were family members, of which 50% were adult children or grandchildren. Age Concern New Zealand chief executive Karen Billings-Jensen said elder abuse was not just a private issue, it was "a community issue". "On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we urge all New Zealanders to learn the signs of abuse, speak up and support older people in their lives and communities." This year, Age Concern's theme for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is "spot the signs". It calls on individuals, whānau, community groups, organisations and businesses to help raise awareness and take appropriate action. Ms Pritchard said the Age Concern Otago EARS team, which comprised Dunedin-based social workers Tim Ollerenshaw and Trici Grothe-Robertson, Oamaru-based social worker Sharon McGregor and Dunedin-based community social worker Annie Nevin, were dealing with increasingly complex cases of elder abuse. "Unfortunately, older people are finding that the health services and other back-stops they may have relied on in the past have vanished," she said. In addition, more older people were living in trailers and caravans and moving around more, which made it difficult to maintain support networks. Families were also often scattered around New Zealand and overseas. On the flip side of the coin, some older people were finding themselves caring for adult children who had returned home due to economic circumstances or issues with drugs, alcohol or mental health. "Financial abuse is a major issue — we are seeing lots and lots of money being taken from older people," she said. "And this is really distressing for our clients — these are people that they love and should be able to trust." When there were difficulties with family members, the Age Concern team could be a buffer and provide confidential support. "Our focus is on the older person and what they want and need — that is the most important thing." Ms Pritchard said it was encouraging that growing numbers of older people were reaching out to report elder abuse and request support, along with reports by concerned friends, neighbours and family members. EARS is also a member of the local Whāngaia Ngā Pā Harakeke team, part of a national framework through which police, iwi and organisations work in partnership to reduce family harm. Mr Williams said the demand on the Otago EARS team, and the complex nature of many situations, meant the service was under increasing pressure. "Complex situations take longer to unravel and deal with, which adds to the pressure," he said. "We are already working at capacity and are acutely aware that more people are at crisis point and needing our help." Mr Williams came to the Age Concern Otago chief executive role after a long career in the mental health, prisoner rehabilitation and children's health and wellbeing fields. "Since I have been working with the Age Concern team, I have been impressed by the heart and passion they have for our older people," he said. "This is a great organisation, and the services we offer are highly valued by the community." How You Can Help: • Learn to spot the signs of elder abuse and how to respond. • Check in with older friends, neighbours and whānau. • If you or someone you know is experiencing elder abuse, contact Age Concern's Elder Abuse Response Service at 0800652105 (weekdays 8.30am-4.30pm) or the national 24-hour helpline at 0800EANOTOK (08003266865), for free, confidential support. • More information on the free, confidential Age Concern Otago Elder abuse Response Service (EARS) can be found online at
Otago Daily Times
31-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Budget rates relief ‘necessary'
Oamaru. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH Rates relief for potentially hundreds of Waitaki senior citizens through Budget 2025, is "timely and necessary", Age Concern Otago says. The Budget last week announced a rise in the income abatement threshold for SuperGold Cardholders and their households to be eligible for the maximum rebate from $31,510 to $45,000, about the same rate as a couple receiving superannuation. "In the Waitaki District alone, over 5700 people receive NZ Super, many of whom will benefit directly from this support," Age Concern Otago chief executive Mike Williams said. "While we don't have exact figures on how many will qualify, we do know that around 40% of New Zealanders aged 65 and over have virtually no other income beyond NZ Super. With nearly a quarter of Waitaki's population aged 65 or older, and rates set to rise by an average of around 10% across the district, this support is both timely and necessary." The maximum rebate for the scheme will also increase from $790 to $805, while those SuperGold cardholders with income higher than $45,000 will be eligible for a smaller rebate. Ratepayers can apply for the new maximum rebate under the new abatement thresholds after July 1. Application forms will be available from councils and will also be able to be downloaded from the New Zealand Government website ( and then submitted to local councils. Waitaki district mayor Gary Kircher is positive in his support for the move. "It's a tough budget for many, though I see some benefits in the budget for our community," he told the Oamaru Mail. "It is good to see that more of our Super Gold Card holders will be eligible for rates relief, as the government recognises the pressures on local government and their ratepayers. "This is welcome news for many of our Waitaki ratepayers, especially those on fixed incomes who own their own homes." Any over-65s with questions about eligibility can contact Waitaki District Council on 03 433 0300 or by contacting service@ Mr Kircher said there were other good news items in the Budget. "An increase of $2.7b for roads schools and hospitals will help, though at least some of those increases had already been announced. "From a council perspective, it will be extremely helpful if the government increases the ability of NZTA to match more of our funding to help councils make progress on the overall underinvestment in roading. "There will be general benefits for our community with the sensible changes to prescriptions, and improvements to our after-hours healthcare, along with an extra $1b for new health infrastructure. "However, the zero increase to many budgets and the decrease in others will be difficult for most government agencies. "I doubt that it has been an easy task for the government, and there is some good logic behind a number of changes. "Unfortunately, many people are doing it bloody hard right now and there will some who are going to be slightly better off, but not all of those most affected." Waitaki MP Miles Anderson said the district would also benefit from Budget 2025's new Investment Boost initiative, which would provide "a major new tax incentive to encourage businesses to invest, grow the economy, and lift wages". "This is great news for farms and businesses in the Waitaki and the initiative is already seeing a strong positive response from the sector. "With our region's strong rural and supporting industries we need businesses to invest in productive assets — like machinery, tools, equipment, vehicles and technology. Investment drives productivity improvements, makes firms more competitive and supports employers to improve workers' wages. "Investment Boost allows a business to immediately deduct 20% of the cost of a new asset, on top of depreciation, meaning a much lower tax bill in the year of purchase." That meant better cashflows, which in turn, makes potential investments "stack up financially", he said. On top of a $164m investment in rural health, including expanded and improved after-hours health services in Oamaru, the Budget also strengthened education provision with $1.5billion to improve student achievement, including $646m of initiatives to ensure earlier identification of, and better help for, children with additional physical, learning and behavioural needs, he said. Another $700m would deliver new schools and classrooms. "We are making smart improvements in education that will make a real difference for young people here," Mr Anderson said.
