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Mō Mātau

About

About Ageing Well

Tēnā koutou katoa.

Nau mai, haere mai ki te pae tukutuku o te Kia eke kairangi ki te taikaumātuatanga.

Ageing Well — Kia eke kairangi ki te taikaumātuatanga — is a team of researchers, scientists, and associated stakeholders from across the motu tackling the most important ageing-related issues facing our generations.

We are working together — between disciplines, across institutions, and with strong community relationships — to combat the challenges of, and capitalise on the opportunities presented by, ageing in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Our ultimate aim is to harness science to sustain health and wellbeing into the later years of life. Together, as one team and with one goal, we seek to ensure all New Zealanders age well.

Ageing Well is hosted by the University of Otago.

About our name

The te reo version of our Challenge name is Kia eke kairangi ki te taikaumātuatanga.

Essentially, this translates to older people being held in high esteem.

 

This phrase can be broken into three parts:

kia eke (verb) – to attain, to achieve, to strive for.

kairanga (noun) – anything held in high esteem.

taikaumātua (verb) – to be elderly, or middle-aged.

 

Listen to the pronunciation of our te reo title in the player below:

 

{Audio: MBIE}

Doing science differently

He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. What is the food of the leader? It is knowledge. It is communication.

We have spent years cultivating strong relationships with our community groups, researchers, ministry staff, and others. Communities drive many of the research questions our teams pursue and are central to ensuring the research is suitable and the outcomes are useful and usable.

Ageing Well is doing science differently. Not all of our funded research is housed in traditional academic institutions, such as universities. What is unique about many of our more recent projects is that our research teams gather information from non-academic sources.

Ageing Well is doing science differently. What is unique about many of our more recent projects is that our research teams gather information from non-academic sources.

For example, Te Roro: A Mātauranga Māori study recognises karakia and carvings as a source of knowledge about Māori understandings of the brain. By recognising that such foundational information can come from a range of sources, this widens the scope of our research and also recognises the importance of mātauranga Māori.

Another way we do science differently is in the way we communicate our work. It’s not just about how we gather information from varying sources, it’s also about how we share what we have learned. For many Ageing Well projects, we have community partners who are embedded in the research team, who are helping drive the research and who will benefit from the outcomes.

Disseminating our learnings to a broader audience, and to the communities who help us achieve this, demonstrates our commitment to research being a reciprocal venture. This reciprocity is key: we collaborate with our communities and share information.

Commitment to Tiriti

Creating meaningful change

Every New Zealander has a stake in our research: we are all ageing and we all want to age well.

As an organisation, we are committed to pursuing equity in ageing, and to becoming a better Tiriti partner. This is not simply a hollow statement; we are living and embodying this principle daily.

To ensure transformational change in the ageing space, Ageing Well has committed half of our Phase 2 research funding (2019-2024) to Māori positive ageing and projects that focus on Māori concepts and perspectives of ageing.

All projects funded by Ageing Well embed the principles of the Vision Mātauranga Policy to reduce disparities and inequities experienced by some older New Zealanders.

As an organisation, we are committed to pursuing equity in ageing, and to becoming a better Tiriti partner. This is not simply a hollow statement; we are living and embodying this principle daily.

One of the more unusual and innovative things about Ageing Well is how we have established our leadership. Ageing Well leadership took critical steps in 2017 that are leading us towards being a better Tiriti partner, starting with merging our Governance Group and Kāhui Māori to create a combined co-governance group so that almost half of the decision makers were Māori.

Currently, five of our most senior leaders within the organisation are Māori. In the science and research sector, it is incredibly rare to be Māori guided. Ageing Well is leading the way for other organisations to follow.

We have also incorporated the use of kaupapa Māori (research by Māori, for Māori, with Māori), tikanga (culture, customs, and practices), te ao Māori (Māori world view), and te reo (language) into our organisation and the way we work. Everyone contributes and commits to this kaupapa – both Māori and non-Māori – and we apply an equity lens.

By doing these things – and more – Ageing Well can deliver on our equity outcomes and our vision of being a better Tiriti partner.

 

Focusing on the future

The next three decades will see a new phase in our understanding and experience of ageing in Aotearoa. Older people 65 years and over will see the biggest population growth, with 790,000 people in 2020, to potentially increase to 1.51 million in 2048. But within the segment of older people, those aged over 85 are set to more than triple from 88,000 in 2020, to 318,000 in 2048 (see Stats NZ website). Understanding the changing demographics is important to ensure there are the services and programs in place to meet different demands associated with these changes.

Essentially, the greater the number of older people in our community, the greater the need for affordable and accessible housing, the greater the demand on medical and health systems, and the need for associated community and age-related services.

However, the growth of Aotearoa’s older people is not equal. The proportions of Māori, Pacific, and Asian older people are increasing at a faster rate, so it is fundamental to not only address ageing in Aotearoa, but equitable ageing.

The growth within the population of Aotearoa’s older people is not equal. The proportion of Māori, Pacific, and Asian people are increasing at a faster rate, so it is fundamental to not only address ageing in Aotearoa, but equitable ageing.

Ageing Well seeks to enable conversations of this kind now so that we are not faced with reactive strategies when demand is at its greatest. We wish to see Aotearoa plan well for the future of our whānau and help facilitate the ability for all New Zealanders to age well.

We aim to ensure that our research and its impact is fit-for-purpose and that its impact can change lives for the better.

He waka eke noa – we are in this together.

 

Mission and vision

Mission

To harness science to sustain health and well-being into the later years of life enabling all New Zealanders to reach their full potential.

This will be achieved through delivery of our programme of research, underpinned by:

  • Creating an environment that encourages collaboration between researchers who specialise in ageing research, so as to develop the innovative strategies needed for realising the potential of the longevity dividend
  • Ongoing engagement with consumers and stakeholders from health and disability, voluntary and community services sectors who are at the front line of support for New Zealand’s older people in an increasingly diverse and complex ageing society, with emphasis on co-production of research and an integrated knowledge transfer model
  • Infusing the research programme with the principles of Vision Mātauranga which seek to transform the burden of poor ageing that falls disproportionately on Māori and give expression to the long and rich tradition of Māori valuing and drawing on older people’s knowledge and wisdom

Ageing Well: adding life to years for all older New Zealanders.

Vision

The vision of Ageing Well is to add life to years for all older New Zealanders.

This will be achieved by harnessing science to sustain health and well-being into the later years of life, in ways that:

  • Allow personal dignity to be preserved into old age by mitigating mental, cognitive, and physical disability
  • Support health, well-being and independence for all New Zealanders as they age
  • Recognise the resourcefulness of older people and their ongoing social, economic, and cultural contributions to society
  • Enable Ageing Well through mutual respect, support, and reciprocity amongst people of different ages

 

Further Information

The criteria for National Science Challenges proposals was outlined in the New Zealand Gazette:

New Zealand Gazette – 30 Jan 2014 (MBIE NSC Criteria)

New Zealand Gazette – 12 Sept 2017 (MBIE NSC Criteria for second period of funding)

History and strategic documents

The Ageing Well National Science Challenge was created in 2014 with the aim to enable all New Zealanders to reach their full potential through the life course, with particular reference to the later years of life.

This will be achieved through a programme of world-class research, underpinned by an environment of collaboration, continuous engagement with stakeholders and the Vision Mātauranga Policy embedded in the programme.

Strategic Documents

Ageing Well Research and Business Plan – June 2015

Ageing Well Future Strategy July 2018

We aim to enable all New Zealanders to reach their full potential through a programme of world-class research, underpinned by an environment of collaboration, continuous engagement with stakeholders and the Vision Mātauranga Policy embedded in all programmes.

Funding

Kia eke kairangi ki te taikaumātuatanga, Ageing Well National Science Challenge, is a national research collaboration involving the major New Zealand research groups in ageing research. Across Ageing Well National Science Challenge, we have expertise in public health, Māori health, social science, biomedical science, clinical practice, population and community health, and health service provision.

Through our national programme of funded research, Ageing Well links with international networks, with the other health and well-being Science Challenges, Centres of Research Excellence (such as Brain Research New Zealand), and key funders such as the Health Research Council of NZ, to encourage collaboration, and to build and leverage capability and resources.

During Phase One (2014-2019) Ageing Well supported research under five interlinking strands to address our mission: to harness science to sustain health and well-being into the later years of life enabling all New Zealanders to reach their full potential.

These strands focused on: enabling independence and autonomy/tino rangatiratanga of older individuals and their whānau and families; ensuring a meaningful life through social integration and engagement; recognising at a societal level the value of ongoing contributions of knowledge and experience of older people; reducing disability; and, developing age-friendly environments.

In Phase Two (2019-2024), our work is framed by two focus areas of research: Ageing and Māori and Health and Wellbeing in Ageing, as well as our Strategic Investment Initiatives, all of which incorporate elements of the five research strands from Phase One.

Ageing Well continues to invest in work that helps sustain health and well-being by optimizing brain and body health, and social and physical environments for older people.

Ageing Well links with international networks, other Science Challenges, Centres of Research Excellence, and key funders, to encourage collaboration, and to build and leverage capability and resources.

Background

Ageing Well as one of 11 National Science Challenges was allocated funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) for ten years (NZ$ 34.9M; 2015-2024). The funding was separated into two parts: Phase One from 2014-2019 and Phase Two from 2019-2024.

For Phase Two, Ageing Well proposed to build upon our previously gazetted research themes through two Focus Areas: Health and Well-being in Ageing and Ageing and Māori (Figure 1 below).

These areas were identified after extensive consultation that underscored the strong view that the original Gazette themes were too compartmentalised to facilitate the next phase of multidisciplinary, cross-institutional collaborations that were needed to specifically address equity issues and Ageing Well’s commitment towards becoming a Te Tiriti partner.

Focus Areas of Investment

In November 2018, Ageing Well was awarded $20.3 million to continue our work, specifically focusing on two research areas:

  • Health and Well-being in Ageing; and
  • Ageing and Māori

In 2019, Ageing Well allocated $10 million to fund research in the two research areas. Just under $5 million was awarded to the Ageing Well through Eating, Sleeping, Socialising and Mobility Programme (AWESSoM) project and $5 million was allocated to the Ageing and Māori focus area.

Two projects were successfully funded in this focus area: Tai Kaumātuatanga Older Māori Wellbeing and Participation: Present and Future Focus project and the Kaumātua Mana Motuhake Pōi: Enhancing Wellbeing, Social Connectedness and Cultural Identity project.

 Strategic Investment Initiatives

Ageing Well National Science Challenge recognised the limits to the resource it can direct, and that there was value in working alongside other research funders and consortia, that aligns with our vision and mission. To that end, we have collaborated and co-funded research with:

Over 50% of Ageing Well’s Phase 2 funding is invested in Māori-led research.

Over 50% of Ageing Well’s Phase 2 funding is invested in Māori-led research.

FAQs

What are the National Science Challenges?

There are 11 National Science Challenges, which are designed to take a more strategic approach to the government’s science investment by targeting a series of goals, so as to have major and enduring benefits for New Zealand. The Challenges provide an opportunity to align and focus New Zealand’s research on large and complex issues by drawing scientists together from different institutions and across disciplines to achieve a common goal through collaboration.

More information about the National Science Challenges, what they are trying to achieve, and links to each is available from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

MBIE website

What is Ageing Well National Science Challenge trying to achieve?

The Ageing Well National Science Challenge — Kia eke kairangi ki te taikaumātuatanga — is about harnessing science to sustain health and well-being into the later years of life.

The vision of Ageing Well is to add life to years for all older New Zealanders.

This vision will be achieved by harnessing science to sustain health and well-being into the later years of life, in ways that:

  • Allow personal dignity to be preserved into old age by mitigating mental, cognitive, and physical disability
  • Support health, well-being and independence for all New Zealanders as they age
  • Recognise the resourcefulness of older people and their ongoing social, economic, and cultural contributions to society
  • Enable Ageing Well through mutual respect, support, and reciprocity amongst people of different ages

The mission of Ageing Well is to harness science to sustain health and well-being into the later years of life enabling all New Zealanders to reach their full potential.

This mission will be achieved through the delivery of our programme of research, underpinned by:

  • Creating an environment that encourages collaboration between researchers who specialise in ageing research, so as to develop the innovative strategies needed for realising the potential of the longevity dividend (five interlinking strands of research)
  • Engaging continuously with consumers and stakeholders from the health and disability, voluntary and community services sectors who are at the front line of support for New Zealand’s older people in an increasingly diverse and complex ageing society (the emphasis on co-production of research and stakeholder engagement)
  • Infusing the research programme with the principles of Vision Mātauranga which seek to transform the burden of poor ageing that falls disproportionately on Māori and give expression to the long and rich tradition of Māori valuing and using older people’s knowledge and wisdom

We will work to ensure that Vision Mātauranga helps to inform the work of Ageing Well. Vision Mātauranga is a New Zealand government policy that aims to unlock the science and innovation potential of Māori knowledge, resources, and people for the environmental, economic, social, and cultural benefit of New Zealand.

Vision Mātauranga is critical to Ageing Well because of Māori culture valuing older people’s knowledge, the disproportionate burden of ageing that falls on Māori populations and communities, and the commitment of Māori communities to supporting older people ageing positively in place.

 

Who’s Involved?

The Ageing Well National Science Challenge team is comprised of a broad selection of subject experts from New Zealand and internationally. This team has been assembled to ensure an appropriate mix of world-class skills and experience in order to make significant impacts on Ageing Well outcomes, ongoing collaboration between researchers in a wide range of disciplines is required.

Neurodegeneration, stroke, gerontology, physical function, primary health care, economics, demography/epidemiology, geography and social science all have a role to play in addressing the diverse social and economic drivers of Ageing Well. This is a fundamental step-change in the approach to research on ageing in New Zealand. Indeed, rarely have interdisciplinary teams, spanning the medical, health, and the social sciences, attempted an integrated approach to address the challenges of ageing.

Our people provides details about the governance and management of the Ageing Well National Science Challenge.

The University of Otago is the ‘Challenge Contractor’, contracted to deliver the Challenge by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment website

Other ‘Collaborating Parties’ from across New Zealand helping to deliver Ageing Well National Science Challenge are:

How is Ageing Well National Science Challenge different from other funded research?

The New Zealand Government established National Science Challenges to focus its investment in science on nationally significant issues. This model of mission-led research funding represents a major change in the funding model for New Zealand, requiring the development of coordinated nationwide research partnerships, working collaboratively to achieve their mission. In so doing, Ageing Well’s research will help to drive changes to ensure that ageing is a more positive experience for older New Zealanders.

Within the overall mission-led approach, Ageing Well has included some high-risk high-return work, recognising that Ageing Well provides an opportunity for risk-taking in research that does not readily exist through other funding mechanisms. See further information about our research here.

Meaningful, early and appropriate engagement is vital to the success of the Ageing Well National Science Challenge. Ageing Well research is based on the principles of co-creation and knowledge exchange between valued partners and researchers. Central to this model is a partnership in which researchers and knowledge users — including communities, voluntary agencies, health services, ministries and New Zealanders — together will make decisions to shape research direction, interpret findings, derive key messaging, and move research findings into practice.

Visit our Research page for more information.

What are the timeframes for the Challenge?

The Ageing Well National Science Challenge is a 10 year programme.

It was launched in March 2015 and will run until June 2024.

How can I get involved?

If you are interested in the work of Ageing Well and would like to know more, we send out regular newsletters to our distribution lists to provide updates and to signpost key upcoming activities. Sign up here for our newsletter.

You can also follow us on Twitter and on Facebook.

What if I have questions?

Please get in touch with us if you have questions. We’d love to hear from you.
Our email is: ageingwell@otago.ac.nz