News Release
7 August 2015

Positive Ageing Rotorua members appointed to work with council

Ten people have been appointed to Positive Ageing Rotorua, a new group set up to work with Rotorua Lakes Council and advocate for people aged 50 and over in the district.

The aim of the group is to strengthen participation by seniors in council decision-making and ensure Rotorua is an age-friendly district.

Members of the forum are involved on a voluntary basis and will contribute to the work of Council’s People Portfolio, which is led by Councillor Merepeka Raukawa-Tait with Councillor Mark Gould leading the work with older people.

The newly appointed members are: Barrie Fenton, Cheryl Campbell, Edie Vercoe, Jos Pemberton, Lynnette Whata, Mary-Ann Nixon, Melvyn Bowen, Miriam Ruberl, Russell Hallam and Wendy Roe.

The forum held its inaugural meeting this week and will meet again in a fortnight. A chairperson will be elected in the near future.

“It was a very successful first meeting – all members were very enthusiastic and keen to get started on making a difference,” Cr Gould said.

“I think we have a very good group, chosen from a list of very high calibre applicants, who will contribute towards making Rotorua a better place for the older population.

“People want to get involved and I look forward to hearing their ideas and their views as advocates on issues affecting older people in our community,” Cr Gould said.

The 10 people selected for Positive Ageing Rotorua were selected from 27 applicants through an interview process.

The group will provide an independent voice for people aged 50 and over, working with Rotorua Lakes Council on issues that affect senior people, contributing towards achieving the district’s shared long-term goals.

Members of the district’s older community were consulted about the role of the forum and how it should be established before expressions of interest were called.

ends

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