Our mandate is broad yet we are a small organisation. To maximise the impact of our work, we focus on collaboration, connecting with and informing many different agencies that impact on retirement-related outcomes in various ways.
In short, we connect the dots in three ways:
Ka kōkiri mātou i te mahi ngātahi a te rāngai kia rere hāngai ai ngā mahi me ngā haumitanga We champion pan-sector cooperation to help align effort and investment
As a country, we are faced with an ageing population and we need the right policies in place across all of government to support each of us as we age. The Office for Seniors’ Better Later Life[1] strategy outlines key areas of action that are needed to help ensure New Zealand is a great place to age. MBIE’s Employment Strategy[2] sets out a vision for the labour market and will present a further action plan to improve outcomes for older workers.
There are also many New Zealanders stuck in a cycle of unsustainable debt, making it impossible for them to plan ahead for retirement. The Government’s Safer Credit and Financial Inclusion Strategy[3] is focused on supporting New Zealanders to meet their needs and achieve their aspirations, free from problem debt.
Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission can play a key role in supporting these strategies: we have a holistic lens that considers what retirement means in the 21st century, how we can track and report trends, and how retirement policies can support the best outcomes for New Zealanders.
And we team up with other organisations, both government and non-government, to support more New Zealanders on the path to a confident retirement, carefully aligning our work to avoid unnecessary duplication and maximise effectiveness.
E haere hāngai ana mātou ki te Anga Paerewa Oranga kia whai wāhi ai ki ngā putanga kāwanatanga We align with the Living Standards Framework to contribute to government outcomes
Our work clearly aligns with three of the four capitals in the Treasury’s Living Standards Framework.[4]
Financial and physical capital: Our work is deeply connected to the material living standards of New Zealanders. Our advice on retirement policies contributes to the wellbeing of retirees. By monitoring the Retirement Villages Act we support a system that should fairly balance the needs of retirees and the industry. And our work on financial capability supports New Zealanders with access to information on how to reduce debt and save for their own retirement. The collective impact of creating a nation of savers will be a more resilient economy that is better placed to weather shocks and downturns.
Human capital: Our efforts help New Zealanders to engage in work and social activities. We advocate for a system that supports retirees who want or need to continue working. Our financial capability work helps New Zealanders to get on top of their finances, which increases workplace productivity and prepares them for a more comfortable retirement. Our own research shows that people who are more financially capable tend to make healthier lifestyle choices and are less stressed.
Social capital: Social cohesion is built on fairness. The choices that New Zealand makes about who qualifies for state support, including superannuation, can either enhance or diminish intergenerational equity. Our role is to provide timely, robust and impartial advice to government on the policies, and policy trade-offs, that will deliver the best outcomes. We also promote the importance of financial education because we know that individuals in financial distress also suffer from social isolation and family dysfunction.
E ārahi ana mātou i te Rautaki ā-Motu a te Kāwanatanga mō te Āheinga Ahumoni kia mōrahi ai te pāpātanga We lead the Government’s National Strategy for Financial Capability to maximise impact
The National Strategy for Financial Capability[5] recognises the link between increased financial capability and better outcomes for individuals and families, reduced hardship, increased investment and economic growth for the country. The strategy recognises the need for government, the private sector, non-government organisations and community groups to work together to improve financial capability.
As an autonomous Crown entity we can learn from and leverage these relationships and provide deeply informed advice to Government and its ministries as well as being a useful community and sector conduit. Through Sorted[6] we are the primary supplier of independent financial capability information and tools by and for New Zealanders.