Election 2026: What matters most to older New Zealanders?

With the 2026 General Election approaching, the issues affecting older New Zealanders are likely to be an important part of the national conversation.

For many older Kiwis, questions around healthcare, the cost of living, retirement income and housing are not simply election issues. They can have a direct impact on everyday life.

Recent research shows that healthcare and hospitals are a particularly important concern for New Zealanders aged 65 and over. In the latest Ipsos Issues Monitor, 57% of people aged 65+ identified healthcare and hospitals as a major issue, putting it ahead of inflation and the cost of living for this age group.

Healthcare

Access to healthcare is a major concern for many older people.

Waiting times, access to GPs and specialists, hospital services, aged care and the availability of health services in smaller communities can all influence quality of life.

With an ageing population, ensuring New Zealand’s health system can meet increasing demand will be an important issue for voters to consider.

Cost of living

Although healthcare ranks particularly highly among older voters, the cost of living remains a significant concern.

Everyday costs such as groceries, power, rates, transport and healthcare expenses can put pressure on household budgets, particularly for people living on a fixed income.

Inflation and the cost of living remain New Zealand’s biggest overall concern, according to the latest Ipsos research.

Superannuation and retirement

NZ Superannuation is another issue that will be closely watched by older New Zealanders.

Questions around the future sustainability of Super, eligibility and how retirement income interacts with other government support are likely to feature in the election debate.

Different political parties have different approaches, so it is worth looking beyond headlines and understanding what each party is actually proposing.

Housing and ageing well

Housing is also an important consideration as New Zealand’s population ages.

For older people, this can include the affordability of renting or owning a home, rates and maintenance costs, retirement villages, access to suitable housing and the availability of options that allow people to remain independent for as long as possible.

Making your vote count

The 2026 election is an opportunity to think about the issues that matter most to you, ask questions of candidates and compare the policies of the different parties.

There is no single issue that matters to every older New Zealander. What is important is having access to reliable information and making a decision based on the issues that matter to you and your community.

Before you vote, take some time to look at what each party is proposing and consider how their policies could affect you, your family and your community.

This article is based on reporting from the New Zealand Herald and recent Ipsos research. Age Concern South Canterbury does not endorse any political party or candidate.