Group pushes golden years

Positive Ageing Rotorua chairman Russell Hallam and vice-chairwoman Jos Pemberton. Photo / Supplied

Positive Ageing Rotorua's newly elected chairman says older people have plenty to offer by working alongside the Rotorua Lakes Council to meet the aspirations of the wider community.

Russell Hallam has a clear vision for the newly formed group, which has been established as part of the council's People Portfolio to advocate for the district's older population.

"The vision is for Rotorua to become a model age-friendly district. I'm convinced that older people in our community have a lot to offer in helping to achieve Rotorua 2030 goals and taking the district forward," Mr Hallam said.

Mr Hallam spent more than 12 years as principal at Kea Street Specialist School before retiring. He is vice-president of Grey Power Rotorua, chairman of the Rotorua branch of NZ Superannuitants and a volunteer with the Cancer Society.

"We have an increasing number of older people who have a valuable contribution to make in the planning and development of council programmes, not just in addressing other older people's needs, concerns and interests but those of the whole community as well.

"We're concerned about the same types of issues as, for instance, families who have children with disabilities," he said.

"While we won't always agree among ourselves, or with council, I'm very confident we will develop the ways and means to advocate for those whose interests we're charged with representing.

"As individuals we are already having conversations out in the community and getting feedback, and we will be using our networks to keep people informed."

The Positive Ageing Rotorua group also includes vice-chairwoman Jos Pemberton, Cheryl Campbell, Wendy Roe, Miriam Ruberl, Mary Ann Nixon, Edie Vercoe, Barrie Fenton, Lynnette Whata and Melvyn Bowen.

Mrs Pemberton said: "Like all sectors of the community we have broad and diverse issues to be considered. We are full and part-time employed, business owners, retirees, caregivers of grandchildren or family members with ill health, home owners, residents of retirement villages and pensioner flats, and so much more.

"In fact we are the same as every other group, but perhaps with more grey hair and wrinkles - but certainly with a great deal of wisdom and experience to offer," she said.

Councillor Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, who leads the council's People Portfolio, said Positive Ageing Rotorua would not be the only way the council would engage and consult with the district's older population.

Input would also be sought from other groups representing older people, she said.

Applications were invited for positions on Positive Ageing Rotorua and there were 27 applicants from which 10 people were selected.

The group will meet monthly.