Urgent Call For Action As NZ’s Ageing Population Set To Triple By 2078

A new report by the Helen Clark Foundation and engineering consultancy WSP has warned that New Zealand must urgently prepare its infrastructure, housing, and healthcare systems to meet the needs of a rapidly ageing population.

According to the report, the number of New Zealanders aged 65 and over is projected to surge from 870,000 in 2024 to as many as 2.5 million by 2078, a demographic shift described as one of the country’s most significant long-term challenges.

The report calls for a national strategy that brings together central and local government, underpinned by better data, long-term planning, and evidence-based decision-making. It recommends expanding aged-care capacity, investing in affordable and accessible housing, and ensuring the health system can meet the rising demand.

“Ageing shouldn’t be seen as a crisis, but as a challenge to our systems — and with smart, joined-up planning, it’s a challenge we can absolutely meet,” said report author and WSP fellow Kali Mercier. “By acting early, we can build stronger, more inclusive communities and ensure our services are ready to support everyone well into the future,” quoted RNZ.

Mercier also highlighted the financial struggles facing many aged-care providers. “A lot of them are charities, and they’re not being paid sufficiently to even maintain facilities, let alone invest in new capacity,” she said, urging greater investment in the sector, RNZ quoted.

The report outlines a series of key findings:

• Housing insecurity: Home ownership among people over 65 is falling sharply, with projections suggesting only half will own their homes by 2040.
• Aged-care shortfalls: The country faces a projected shortfall of 12,000 aged-care beds by 2032, with waiting times for admission ranging from 82 days in Manawatū to 219 days on the West Coast.
• Health system strain: Demand on hospitals is expected to soar, with per-person healthcare spending for those aged 85 and above already 16 times higher than for 40-year-olds.
• Transport and urban design gaps: The report warns of a heavy reliance on private vehicles, which risks isolating older people, and calls for more walkable communities, accessible public transportation, and age-friendly urban design.
• Regional disparities: Regions such as Tasman, Nelson, and Marlborough are on track to become “hyper-ageing” areas, with over 30 per cent of residents expected to be 65 or older by 2048.
  

The authors stressed that addressing these challenges will not only improve life for older New Zealanders but also strengthen communities and make the country’s infrastructure more resilient and sustainable for future generations.