The Eldernet Group is New Zealand’s most trusted provider of information for older people and those closest to them.
25/02/2026
When Janet and her partner moved into their retirement village, they weren’t the only ones adjusting — their 14-year-old cat Holly had to learn the ropes too (including the mystery of disappearing ranchsliders!).
Fast forward a few weeks, and Holly is now living her best life 🐱☀️
Have a read of our newest article in our Expert Perspectives column, written by Janet Brown, about the importance of allowing pets in retirement villages:
Written by Janet Brown
23/02/2026
🏏 Who says you slow down as you get older?
The Over 70’s Cricket World Cup is a brilliant reminder that passion, competition, and staying active don’t have an age limit. Life doesn't stop at 70 (or beyond!).
Good luck to all the teams competing in Christchurch over the coming weeks 👏
If you’re nearby, head along to Hagley Oval and show your support — the Tournament Final takes place on 5 March, with the Pavilion open to spectators.
Good luck to the 8 nations competing in the Over 70's Cricket World Cup in Christchurch over the coming weeks. After a rained out first round, the teams are looking forward to round 2 kicking off today.
Hagley Oval is proud to be hosting the Tournament Final on the 5th March with the top two qualifying teams facing off against each other. The Pavilion will be open and we would love for you to come and support the teams.
If you'd like to follow the Tournament progress or head to watch a match or two you can find all the information at www.imco70cwc.kiwi
You can also follow them here Over 70s Cricket World Cup 2026
20/02/2026
Have you heard about the proposed reforms to the Retirement Village Act? As part of these changes, the complaints and disputes system is undergoing some changes to create a more independent, timely, and fair system for both residents and operators.
In the latest of our Expert Perspectives column, John Collyns explores some important questions related to these suggested changes.
We'd be interested to hear your perspectives - do you have any ideas on how to create a fairer complaints service?
Written by John Collyns
18/02/2026
If your home has been damaged by the recent severe weather events the Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) is here to help your whānau or household find a temporary home.
We are working with your communities, iwi, and other government agencies to find appropriate accommodation solutions for you and your whānau.
TAS is accepting registrations to support people displaced by the recent events in Manawatū-Whanganui, Ōtorohanga, Waipā, Banks Peninsula and the Wellington region.
The team is also continuing to support people affected by the January events in Northland, Thames-Coromandel, Western Bay of Plenty, Tairāwhiti Gisborne, Tauranga and Hauraki.
The team will be able to provide you with information about TAS, talk to you about your temporary accommodation needs, and can help you register for our service.
You can find more information about TAS, including how to register for our service, at www.tas.mbie.govt.nz
Or call us on 0508 754 163. This is free within New Zealand, our Service Centre operates Monday to Friday - 8:30am to 5:00pm, Saturday and Sunday - 9:00am to 5:00pm.
If households need support with residential insurance claims, the New Zealand Claims Resolution Service (NZCRS) provide free, independent advice and support, as homeowners navigate the insurance process. Contact NZCRS on 0508 624 327, email contact@nzcrs.govt.nz or visit www.nzcrs.govt.nz
Ōtorohanga District Council , Waikato Regional Council , Waipā District Council , Ruapehu District Council , Whanganui District Council , Rangitīkei District Council , Manawatū District Council , Palmerston North City Council , Tararua District Council , Horowhenua District Council , Horizons Regional Council
16/02/2026
The most important part of intimacy is consent.
A diagnosis of dementia does not automatically remove a person’s ability to consent to intimacy. Many people living with dementia can still make informed choices about closeness and relationships. What does change is that their ability to consent may vary over time - clear on some days or moments, less so on others.
Because this can be complex, it isn’t always easy for families, partners, or carers to know when someone with dementia is truly able to give consent. To help guide these decisions, an international group of researchers and healthcare professionals worked together to identify signs that may indicate a person’s capacity to consent to intimacy.
Tomorrow is Valentines Day 💘 So throughout the month of February, we'll be talking a bit about intimacy 💞
Intimacy and close relationships don't stop with age, though stereotypes and popular media might make you think otherwise! Because of these stereotypes, it can often be difficult to navigate these things if you need to move into a shared living environment, like a rest home.
Check out our Knowledge Lab article to learn about your rights, common hurdles you might experience, consent, privacy, and more.
This Wednesday, we’re delighted to share a new article from the final writer in our Expert Perspectives series: Diane Turner MNZM JP.
Until mid last year, Diane was Director of the Office for Seniors – Te Tari Kaumātua, a role she held for nine years. More recently, she was recognised in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours, being appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to governance, seniors, and Māori.
In her first article with us, Diane invites us to reflect on why we need to rethink how we think, feel, and act toward age and ageing.
📖 You can read the article here:
Written by Diane Turner MNZM JP
04/02/2026
🎤 Meet another one of the voices behind our Expert Perspectives column 🎤
Today, we’d like to introduce you to Mark Henrickson, one of the contributors sharing thoughtful, real-world insights about ageing and care in Aotearoa.
Mark has worn many hats over the years — from being a former professor of social work at Massey University, to his current role as a vicar in an Anglican parish in Northland. His journey into working with those in residential care began in an unexpected place: community-led HIV prevention work in a city north of NYC.
Curious to learn how this path led him to his work with people in residential care?
👉 Click below to read his story:
Written by Mark Henrickson
02/02/2026
❗3G networks in New Zealand are in the process of being shut down, which means that any 3G-reliant devices will stop working.
This includes:
📱mobile phones and tablets
🚨medical and security alarms
🚗 vehicle trackers
It's likely you're already using a 4G or 5G device and won't need to do anything. But if you're unsure, it's important to check.
Free-text the word '3G' to the number 550 to see if your mobile will be affected.
Have you ever wondered what retirement village living is really like? 🤔
Click the link below to hear from Janet Brown - a retirement village resident herself. Take a peek behind the brochures and show homes, and find out what day-to-day life in a village feels like.
If you’re curious about retirement village living, or starting to think about what you might want in the future, this is well worth a read. 👇
By Janet Brown
28/01/2026
We're soon going to be seeing the disappearance of 142 NZ Post stores around the country. 📫
What will this mean for many older Kiwis? Have a read of our Substack article to find out why this might be problematic:
Why we need to consider the social impact of NZ Post store closures on older Kiwis
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Eldernet, a New Zealand company, was the first company set up over 21 years ago to provide better information about services and products for older people and to empower them to make informed choices. It was also designed as a resource for their families/whanau and those who work with them. Eldernet provides you with timely, relevant, and comprehensive information about services for older people in New Zealand.
Eldernet lists all aged residential care providers, retirement villages, and home service providers in New Zealand. As well as a range of other products and services for older people, including community groups, day programmes, kaumatua groups, meal and food providers, health professional, legal professionals, financial experts, funeral directors, travel and tour operators, and many more.
For more information, visit www.eldernet.co.nz
Care Publications is Eldernet’s sister company and brings you the “Where from Here” handbook. Formed over 26 years ago, and still owned and operated by New Zealanders, Care Publications has cemented itself as New Zealand’s leading provider of comprehensive, region specific, easy to understand information for older people, their families and those who work with them.
'Where from Here' provides an overview of services for older people in New Zealand. Our aim is to ‘put you in the driving seat’ by giving you the information you need to make informed decisions. Topics covered include: how to access services, retirement options, help at home, residential care, financial assistance and much more. The book lists all residential homes in the region and specifies the level of care each one provides. There are also lists of home help providers, Kaumatua services and day care providers.
Five editions cover New Zealand and each is specific to the area concerned: Upper North Island; Middle North Island; Lower North Island; Upper South Island; Lower South Island.
Each edition is updated every twenty months and is available free of charge through approved agencies and via health professionals such as social workers, needs assessors and service co-ordinators at public hospitals. Agencies where they may also be available include: your local GP, library, Age Concern, Grey Power or Citizens Advice Bureaux. Books can be ordered online or by contacting us.
