In April, the New Zealand Government introduced the Older Workers Employment Action Plan (OWEAP) in a bid to help employees and jobseekers aged 50 and older to find sustainable work that fits their needs.

A third of New Zealand's workforce is made up of older workers, with almost half of the population who are aged 65 to 69 remain employed.

"This action plan acts as a blueprint on how the government can help support and encourage older people to stay in the workforce if they want or need to and supports the government's overall Employment Strategy," said Minister for Seniors Ayesha Verrall in a statement.

The plan contains action items that focus on supporting older workers to use and transition their skills to find and stay in employment as they age, supporting employers to be more inclusive of older workers, and promoting wider discussion and analysis of the effects of an ageing workforce for future economic planning. Older workers face unique and complex challenges in finding and staying in paid employment. They often face age discrimination when applying for jobs and in the workplace, are deprived of opportunities for training and development.

The New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) welcomes the release of the Plan as a positive step in supporting older New Zealanders wanting to stay in work. With more than 250-member organisations working with older people in their communities, Executive Officer Nikki Hurst says NZCCSS sees the Plan as important and necessary mahi.

“We’re encouraged that the Government is acknowledging older workers’ contribution to a well-functioning labour market. However, because it is important to the future of Aotearoa New Zealand, there are a few things we’d like to have seen more of in the Plan.”

This includes ongoing research to evaluate existing products and innovations and an assurance that the research outcomes will be made accessible to service providers and the community.

“We also advocate strongly that some of the research needs to be led by those on whom it impacts. We want to see older people being engaged as the key researchers or being supported to develop and deliver research - including community-based action research.”

The plan is part of the government's overall Employment Strategy, which also comes with six other population-specific employment action plans.