More older New Zealanders continue to work

A growing number of New Zealanders are staying in the labour force beyond the age of superannuation entitlement says Statistics New Zealand.

This is according to a newly released report, New Zealand's 65+ Population: a statistical volume, which brings together a wide range of statistics on older New Zealanders – those aged 65 years and over.

Over two-fifths (43 percent) of men aged 65–69 years, and one-fifth of those aged 70–74 years were in full-time or part-time employment at the 2006 Census, as were over a quarter of women aged 65–69 years.

New Zealanders are also living longer. Between 1950–52 and 2004–06, the proportion of New Zealand men living to age 65 increased from 68 percent to 86 percent. Women however, made greater gains with about 90 percent of New Zealand women now likely to live to 65 years, and about half to 85.

Population ageing is more pronounced in the South Island than in the North Island and also between various cities and districts. In 2006, the 65+ group made up over 20 percent of all residents, in four areas (compared with 12 percent nationally), these were Thames Coromandel, Kapiti Coast, Horowhenua and Waitaki.

These and other statistics on the demographic and socioeconomic profile of older New Zealanders, are included in the new publication. It brings together key information on the contemporary and future changes in the size and structure of 65+ population, their housing, mobility patterns, health and disability, regional spread, ethnic diversity, marital composition, religious affiliation, as well as paid and unpaid activities.

Aimed at assisting researchers, planners, policy makers, administrators and others interested in ageing-related issues, the volume is accessible at www.stats.govt.nz. It will be updated regularly to ensure its continuing effectiveness.