Extract from the Introduction

Background and objectives

Aucklanders aged 65 years and over are a significant part of the region’s population. At the 2023 Census, there were 219,753 Auckland residents in this age group, equating to 13.3% of the population. This demonstrates both a numerical and proportional increase in this age group since the 2018 Census, when there were 189,177 usual residents aged 65 years and over in Auckland (12% of the total population).

The trend of population ageing is evident in Auckland’s population and is a long-term trend that is likely to continue. Rapid growth in this population is expected to occur in the coming decades – for instance, it is projected that this group will reach a total of 514,200 residents by 2053. This has substantial implications for the provision of services and social, health, and economic outcomes.

It is therefore important that Auckland Council has a well-developed evidence base about older Aucklanders, including their quality of life, to understand how best to deliver services, initiatives, and programmes that meet their needs and aspirations. This aligns with the Auckland Plan 2050 directive to ‘Foster an inclusive Auckland where everyone belongs’.

Tāmaki Makaurau Tauawhi Kaumatuā – The Age-friendly Auckland Action Plan 2022-27 was created in 2021 to respond to the needs and aspirations of older Aucklanders, now and into the future. This is an ageing sector plan developed in coordination with NGO and government partners, and is a deliberate commitment to older Aucklanders, intended to raise awareness of their needs and contributions. The plan aims to:

• Improve the quality of life of older Aucklanders

• Future-proof the Auckland region so that everyone is supported to age well

• Identify and guide action to support those most in need.

Auckland Council undertook a baseline study examining older Aucklanders’ quality of life in 2016-17, and which was updated in 2021-22. This included a survey of Aucklanders aged 65 years and over, as well as analysis of secondary data such as New Zealand Census statistics and Te Kupenga – the Māori Social Survey. The most recent status report of older Aucklanders’ quality of life was published in 2022.

Auckland Council is updating the Quality of Life of Older Aucklanders status report, through gathering up-to-date survey data on Aucklanders aged 65 years and over in 2026. This would update survey data collected first in 2016-17 and again in 2021-22. This updated dataset will enable Auckland Council to:

• Measure and analyse the wellbeing of older Aucklanders, including comparisons over time

• Establish a rich understanding of the quality of life of older Aucklanders

• Develop a technical report of older Aucklanders’ wellbeing, which can be used by council, government agencies, and community partners to inform services and programmes.

This report

This report outlines the technical details of the 2026 Older Aucklanders Quality of Life survey, including the research design, sampling, weighting, data analysis, and deliverables.

Ipsos New Zealand

July 2026

See also

Older Aucklanders 2026: Quality of life - summary report