Terms of Reference
Background
The Age friendly Aotearoa New Zealand programme is led by the Office for Seniors and provides guidance and support for communities that are exploring or committed to becoming age friendly.
It supports the vision of the Better Later Life He Oranga Kaumātua 2019 to 2034 strategy, Kia noho ora tonu ngā kaumātua – Older New Zealanders lead valued, connected and fulfilling lives.
An age friendly community is one with the desire and commitment to create policies, social and physical environments that support the wellbeing of older people.
Many local councils in Aotearoa New Zealand are working with their communities to develop age friendly strategies and plans based on the WHO Age friendly Cities and Communities Framework.
The Age friendly Aotearoa New Zealand Network aims to strengthen the support available for organisations leading plans to improve the wellbeing of older people. It provides a forum for discussion, information sharing, learning, and mutual support.
Purpose
The purpose of the Network is to create a community of practice that supports organisations leading the development of age friendly strategies and implementing age friendly plans across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Objectives
The objectives of the Network are to:
- connect key staff from local councils and other groups leading the development of age friendly strategies and implementing age friendly action plans.
- promote the dissemination and uptake of evidence driven and innovative age friendly good practice.
Membership
The Network brings together people from organisations that are leading or actively involved in the development of age friendly strategies and plans. In keeping with community led development principles, leadership of age friendly change may vary across different communities. In most cases local councils lead this work but community organisations, hapū or iwi, may also lead.
Membership of the Network will be held by an organisation rather than by an individual. Members will nominate up to two contacts to attend Network meetings and discussions. Additional attendees may be invited to join specific Network sessions if there is a wider interest in a specific topic.
Eligibility
To be eligible for membership, councils and other relevant organisations must:
- be able to demonstrate that they are taking credible and tangible steps towards developing an age friendly strategy or towards implementing an age friendly action plan for their community.
- be leading the Age friendly strategy or plan for their community.
Joining the Network
There is no cost to become a member of the Network. Organisations wanting to join the Network can apply to join by filling out an online registration form.
The Office is not responsible for any incidental costs arising from members’ participation in the Network.
Benefits of membership
The Network aims to provide an open and supportive environment that helps age friendly practitioners and organisations progress and seek feedback about their work through peer-to-peer learning.
Benefits of the Network include:
- providing a safe environment for sharing achievements, challenges and lessons learnt
- accessing the advice, skills, and experience of peers to help strengthen their work
- providing an opportunity to share and discuss age friendly research and innovation so that it can be applied in different communities
- access to resources such as Age friendly branding collateral developed by the Office for Seniors
- support from the Age friendly Programme Lead, Office for Seniors
- receiving the Stakeholders Newsletter from the Office for Seniors.
Expectations and Network values
As a community of practice, the Network will provide a safe learning environment for all members and will work best if all members participate in alignment with its values:
- Whakawhānaungatanga
We proactively build relationships with one another and seek to understand each other’s perspectives.
- Ako
We share ideas, experiences, and information with each other to learn and grow. Everybody has something valuable to contribute to the community of practice.
- Kaitiakitanga
As leaders of this work with our communities we take responsibility for progressing the development of age friendly in Aotearoa New Zealand. We positively promote the Network and are willing to engage with others about our work.
- Manaakitanga
We make people feel welcome. We are respectful of one another and engage with each other in ways that are constructive and supportive.
- Tika me te pono
We act with integrity and professionalism. We recognise and acknowledge the work of others and we keep sensitive information shared within the group private.
Communicating and meeting
Network activities may include:
- online meetings and discussions facilitated by the Age friendly Programme Lead quarterly
- hosting and participating in webinars and other online presentations and training sessions
- in-person meetings (where there are opportunities for this)
- email updates and newsletters
- direct contact between members.
Network facilitation and administration
The Office will facilitate the Network. The Office’s responsibilities include:
- working with members to support the achievement of Network objectives
- processing applications for membership and responding to queries
- in conjunction with members developing the Network programme and activities
- liaising with Network members to understand their needs
- organising and providing secretariat functions for Network meetings and other activities
- coordinating and sending communications to and on behalf of the Network
- maintaining a network page on the website showing all cities and districts represented by members including a link to their current age friendly plan
- keeping the membership list up to date
- reviewing the membership of the Network annually. Member organisations that have not participated in Network activities for a prolonged period may be removed from membership of the Network.
Members are responsible for keeping information about their organisation, community and age friendly work up to date and advising the Office for Seniors of any changes.
You can download the Age friendly application form here