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JUNE 6, 2024
Out with the old? By Mary Anne Gill
Waipā looks set to scrap its Age Friendly policy in the same week the Census shows more than a quarter of the population is over 60. But if the council does get rid of the policy, it will be going head to head with a former district councillor who was instrumental in getting it adopted eight years ago. Hazel Barnes was furious when The News contacted her about a staff report which
said the policy, adopted by council in 2016, was outdated and had limited to no value. The council’s Strategic Planning and Policy committee considered the report yesterday, after The News went to print. “What? It feels like our senior citizens have been pushed aside,” the 85-yearold said. “I can see a hell of a lot that needs to be done for us. I’m going to say to them ‘why are you doing away with it when
you haven’t even consulted us’?” The report, signed off by Strategy group manager Kirsty Downey says the views and needs of elderly were already considered as part of standard planning processes. Waipā’s position is in stark contrast with neighbours Hamilton – the first city in New Zealand to join the World Health Organization’s global network of age friendly communities and cities.
The city council is said to be leading the way in age friendly planning. Census figures released last week confirmed Waipā’s population was 58,686 – and 15,147 or 25.81 per cent – were aged 60 years and over. The population in Hamilton is 174,741 and 16.9 per cent (29,541) are over 60. “I’m going to get on the phone to Grey Power about this and see what we can do. This is ridiculous,” said Barnes.
Jolly hockey sticks
Te Awamutu player Sammi Harrison (right) fights for the ball with Cambridge Middle School player Cruz Morgenrood. Waipā was to the fore last week in the Waikato Intermediate and Middle Schools tournament in Hamilton - with Te Awamutu celebrating a third place finish and Cambridge winning it. The annual tournament, held at Innes Common attracted eight teams. Cambridge beat Fairfield Intermediate in the final and Te Awamutu finished third after winning a penalty shoot out against Matamata. Photo Steph Bell-Jenkins
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The present Waipā policy promotes an age friendly environment by encouraging engagement with and contributions from the elderly, preparing for an ageing population and promoting Waipā as a desirable place to live for the elderly. Waipā is already getting itself a reputation of being the most popular retirement district in the country. Cambridge is understood to have the highest per capita retirement village population in New Zealand. The council prides itself on its pensioner housing policy – it owns 93 units across the district and provides homes to 107 tenants. Construction is nearing completion on 10 new one-storey units in Leamington. The report says council should consider other age friendly initiatives such as a senior council. “Revoking the Age Friendly Policy could signal a commitment to building truly connected communities that are inclusive and responsive to the needs of all residents, including older people. By revoking an outdated and ineffective policy, the council demonstrates a willingness to reassess its approach and make necessary changes to better serve the community. The council’s vision has shifted since this policy was created, making it no longer suitable or aligned with current objectives,” it says.
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Farmers told to lobby A Waipā accountant is telling farmers to advocate for a “material” improvement in milk prices from Fonterra. Chartered Accountant Jarrod Godfrey, Associate Partner at Findex Waikato, says Fonterra’s opening milk price forecast for the 2025 season, in real terms, is not materially different to what was paid to farmers 20 years ago. The forecast started at $8 a kilo of milk solids and left the 2024 season forecast unchanged at $7.80. “Most dairy farmers will be putting together their budget for 2025, and it probably doesn’t show much joy for the next 12 months, even with an $8 milk price,” Godfrey said. “In real terms, milk prices have not changed much over the past 20 years, and combined with farm expense inflation and recent high interest rates, budgets will be looking fairly tight for the next 12 months.” He said the break-even point for an average 124ha Waipa dairy farm, peak milking 370 will be $8.20. He encouraged farmers to put together a budget for the upcoming season, so plans could be made to navigate the tighter cash flow periods. • See Country Life today, starting on Page 12.
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