On Saturday the 24th of February, delegates from 18 RMCs converged at the Brentwood Hotel in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington for the MNZ Seniors’ Council Hui 2024.   

The hui began with updates from across the motu, emphasising activities for seniors in different regions. Common challenges were identified, such as social isolation and loneliness, which were being addressed through meetups, excursions, and collaboration with other elderly support organisations like Age Concern. The integration of modern technologies also poses a struggle for many seniors, with some councils offering digital literacy training to help bridge the gap.  

Several RMCs collaborate with external organisations to offer additional services, such as defensive driving classes and exercise programmes. A key concern was the increasing number of migrant seniors, particularly former refugees, living with their children and needing tailored services due to language barriers.  

The hui heard a presentation from Age Concern’s Hanny Naus stressing the importance of raising awareness and fostering public understanding of elder abuse, with Age Concern's annual campaign, "Break the Silence," aiming to address this issue. Following this was an address by Hon. Casey Costello, Minister for Seniors, who commended MNZ for their work. The final session of the day was a workshop on intergenerational communication and a discussion on DiSC behavioural self-assessment, facilitated by Tairāwhiti Multicultural Council President Arish Naresh.  

The hui concluded with breakout groups identifying priority issues for the Seniors’ Council, including health, language barriers, elder abuse, and social isolation.  

The outcomes of this discussion were formalised into the Brentwood Declaration, a document that will guide the Seniors' Council’s efforts over the next three years, aligning with the NZFMC Strategic Plan to improve the well-being of ethnic elders across Aotearoa New Zealand.