Inaugural Opportunities of Ageing Conference for Hastings
Hastings will host New Zealand’s inaugural Opportunities of Ageing Conference.
The conference is to take place in April 2013 at the Hawke’s Bay Opera House and its purpose is to explore the opportunities and focus on the positives which growing numbers of older adults in communities will bring.
Hastings District Council will host the conference and Councillor Sandra Hazlehurst says “The purpose of this conference is to understand how we can utilise the wisdom, knowledge and expertise from our aged sector and integrate these skills to benefit our community.”
Mrs Hazlehurst says “By 2051, one in four New Zealanders will be aged over 65, and the largest projections are set to occur between 2012 and 2031. Hastings will feel this change, and this conference is about capturing the opportunities that are available to us.”
The key themes are intergenerational and lifestyle, economic and business, community and local government, with a particular focus on:
- Increasing the number of older people remaining active in the workforce
- Capitalising on the growing consumer market for older people
- Providing understanding for businesses to respond to the changing consumer and employee requirements
- Exploring the contribution older people make to the community through Non-Government Organisations, volunteerism and community participation
Councillor Hazlehurst says “The conference will include a community section with an expo of services and presentations supporting this sector. It will give our local people a chance to understand the range of services and opportunities available to them.”
“The Conference will focus on creating innovative and dynamic responses from business, services, and government. This is an exciting and visionary initiative and we are delighted with the positive response to this conference both locally and nationally,” Mrs Hazlehurst says.
The Opportunities of Ageing Conference will be held at the Hawke’s Bay Opera House on April 10th and 11th, 2013. Further enquiries on the conference or for sponsorship details contact Nina Siers on ninas@hdc.govt.nz or phone 06 8715000.