Eldernet

An unexpected bill can be difficult to manage at any stage of life — and these costs do not disappear when we retire.

Home repairs, dental treatment, insurance, transport and additional support can all place pressure on a carefully planned retirement budget.

A useful exercise is to identify one unexpected expense you would like to be better prepared for. Consider how much it may cost and whether there is a manageable step you can take towards creating or protecting a financial buffer.

Your buffer does not need to look like anyone else’s. The important thing is that it reflects your circumstances and the costs you may realistically face.

This is part of our Money Month retirement-planning series. Next, we will look at different ways savings can be used to provide an income throughout retirement.

💰 How much do I need to retire in New Zealand?

It is one of the biggest questions people ask when planning for retirement — but there is no single number that will suit everyone.

The amount you may need depends on the lifestyle you are planning, your regular expenses, the income you expect to receive, how long your savings may need to last and whether you want to keep money aside for future needs or whānau.

A useful starting point is to estimate your likely spending and compare it with your expected regular income. This can help you understand the gap that your KiwiSaver, investments or other savings may need to cover.

For Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission Money Month, we are focusing on retirement planning and sharing practical information about:
- The costs that may change in retirement
- How unexpected expenses can affect your budget
- Different ways retirement savings can be used
- How housing may shape what you need
- Practical steps you can take now

Follow our Money Month retirement-planning series over the next few weeks as we break these topics into manageable steps.

We are starting with the question at the centre of it all: How much do I need to retire in New Zealand?

Read our full article over on our website - link in the bio. 👇

N.B This is general information and is not intended to replace personalised financial advice.

We recently received some lovely feedback from a lady who received our book, Where from here, through a local Parkinson's group.

She described it as "fantastic", just the right size, well laid out, and easy to read and understand.

In fact, she found it so useful that she asked us to send additional copies to a friend and family member.

If you would like a free copy, you can:

• Call us directly on 0800 162 706

• Request one through our website.
www.eldernet.co.nz/where-from-here

• Check with your local Citizens Advice Bureau, GP Surgery, Library, Retirement Village or Care Home.

We are committed to making reliable, easy-to-understand information available to everyone who needs it.

A gentler, lower-impact alternative to traditional cremation?

Water cremation is now available in Aotearoa, offering another option for people considering their end-of-life wishes.

Also known as alkaline hydrolysis, water cremation:

• uses up to 90% less energy than traditional flame cremation
• Does not involve burning and produces no direct combustion emissions
• does not require a casket, which may help reduce costs
• allows medical implants to be safely recovered and recycled
• can offer families additional options for personalising and participating in the farewell process, depending on the provider

For some people, it may feel like a gentler choice that better reflects their environmental values.

Water cremation is currently only available in Christchurch, but it is already used in several countries around the world.

Our latest Knowledge Lab article looks at how the process works, how it differs from flame cremation and what you may want to consider.

Read the full article:
https://www.eldernet.co.nz/knowledge-lab/hard-to-talk-about/end-of-life/what-is-water-cremation

A recent article in The Press gave us a good laugh in the office! 😄

It shares some funny observations about life in a retirement village and the social circles and pecking order that can develop. 🍑

Do you have any funny tales to tell from Village life?

While it's easy to laugh at the retirement village "hierarchy", perhaps it's just a reflection of human nature. From school to workplaces and beyond, every community has its groups and rhythms. The challenge is finding your place—and the reward is becoming part of it. 😊

Some things never really change, no matter our age.

Link to the full artcile in the comments 👇

A Mexican Fiesta instead of a traditional mid winter Christmas lunch. A dawn Matariki celebration. New traditions, new perspectives, and a reminder that it's never too late to embrace change.

Janet Brown's latest article on the Eldernet Substack reflects on diversity, belonging, and the importance of creating retirement communities where everyone feels welcome.

An insightful read for anyone thinking about the future of ageing in Aotearoa.

Read more: https://eldernet.substack.com/p/expert-perspectives-embracing-diversity

Images are from our recent Eldernet office Matariki celebration where we reflected on connection, remembrance, and looking ahead.

📣 Growing older isn't a failure. It's a privilege.

Yet we're increasingly surrounded by messages that suggest the opposite.

A recent lengthy article on anti-ageing culture sparked some reflection for us, particularly this line: "Ageing well or poorly now seemed like a personal choice, rather than a natural outcome."

We hear a lot about how to stay younger for longer — from skincare and supplements to fitness routines and the latest longevity trends. There's nothing wrong with wanting to be healthy and active as we age. But increasingly it feels as though ageing itself is being positioned as something we should resist, manage or somehow get "right".

The idea that our ability to age well is entirely within our control can create a heavy burden. It can also reinforce the message that visible signs of ageing are something to fix, rather than a natural part of life.

Perhaps this is where ageism has become most pervasive. Not always through overt discrimination, but through the not-so-subtle message that youth is the ideal and that our value diminishes as we grow older.

The challenge isn't to stop ageing—it's to build workplaces, communities and cultures where people are valued at every stage of life.

We'd love to hear others' thoughts on this.



https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2026/jul/14/anti-ageing-science-longevity-culture

What makes a group feel welcoming?

Joining a new social group, kaumātua group or day programme can feel like a big step.

Often, it is the small things that help — a warm welcome, a familiar face, shared kai, clear information, transport, or simply feeling comfortable and included.

We’d love to hear from you: what kinds of groups do you or your loved one enjoy most?

Your ideas may help someone else feel more confident to try something new, or discover a group they had not thought of before.

Staying connected can make a real difference.

For older people, having something to look forward to, people to talk with, and a reason to get out can support wellbeing, confidence and a sense of belonging.

That is where Social Groups, Kaumātua groups and Day Programmes can help.

SOCIAL GROUPS bring people together through shared activities, outings, interests and friendship.

KAUMĀTUA GROUPS can offer culturally grounded connection through kōrero, kai, support, activities and whanaungatanga.

DAY PROGRAMMES are usually more structured and may include activities, meals, transport, daytime support, and a regular break for carers or whānau.

Each one is a little different, and the right fit will depend on the person, their interests, their needs, and what feels welcoming.