Landmark agreement for Bay’s ageing population
Western Bay’s baby boomer population grabbed the limelight this week with the signing of an agreement between local
government and the district health board to examine the impact of the ageing population on the sub-region.
On the initiative of the Bay of Plenty District Health Board (DHB), an advisory group has been formed to collaborate
with SmartGrowth partners - Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Tauranga City Council, Environment Bay of Plenty and
tangata whenua - to improve the social and economic wellbeing of the ageing population.
DHB chairwoman Mary Hackett and SmartGrowth chairman Bill Wasley, signed a Memorandum of Understanding at a special
ceremony at Western Bay Council on Wednesday, 13 February, to officially launch PATAG (the Population and Ageing
Technical Advisory Group).
The PATAG project was sparked by a need to examine the social, economic, cultural and environmental impact of increasing
numbers of older people and distinct ageing communities in the region.
It is believed to be the first time in New Zealand that local government and a district health board has collaborated to
examine the challenges of population ageing. This includes the social and economic impacts of the ageing population now
and in the future.
In 2006 (Census), in the Western Bay sub-region, there were 2600 people aged over 80. Under SmartGrowth’s population
projections, by 2035 there will be 36,000 people aged over 80. This is four times the current population of Te Puke.
Mrs Hackett said the Government had mandated health boards to work with local bodies.
“The signing of this Memorandum is an historic occasion and is an example of how we are going to work with the three
Councils and PATAG,” she said.
She encouraged the fostering of age-friendly communities and for PATAG to “put arms out in to the community’” to find
out how to plan and work with other groups to achieve its goals.
Mr Wasley congratulated the DHB for its initiative in developing a collaborative approach to tackling the region’s
ageing population.
“Given that SmartGrowth is the local government partnership with tangata whenua, it is pleasing to see a non-local
government agency taking up the challenge.
`”One of the underlying strengths of SmartGrowth has been the collaborative approach to strategy development and
implementation. This is a good example of that approach extending beyond the local government partners,” said Mr Wasley.
He said PATAG had great potential because of the wealth of knowledge and experience of its members. However, he
highlighted the huge challenge ahead and warned PATAG not to “bite off more than it could chew”.
“It is about picking up some issues and working those through and getting some early achievements under your belt,” said
Mr Wasley.
The DHB commissioned social and public policy specialist Carole Gordon, of Tauranga, to develop the initiative. The
initiative has been funded by the Government through a Health Innovations Grant.
PATAG has already made submissions to the Western Bay of Plenty District Council Built Environment Strategy and the
Smart Living Strategy.
ENDS