NZ Government Welcomes Health Committee Report on Dementia Care

The Government’s official response to the inquiry was tabled in Parliament today, marking an important step in addressing growing challenges in caring for an ageing population.

The New Zealand Government has formally welcomed a parliamentary Health Committee report examining the adequacy of aged care support services for people living with neurological cognitive disorders such as dementia, signaling renewed attention to the sustainability and quality of the country’s ageing care system.

The Government’s official response to the inquiry was tabled in Parliament today, marking an important step in addressing growing challenges in caring for an ageing population. The inquiry itself was a commitment outlined in the New Zealand First–National coalition agreement.

Associate Health Minister Casey Costello acknowledged that while New Zealand’s aged care system performs well overall, it faces mounting pressures as the population ages.

“New Zealand has very good aged care, but there are challenges in the system that are well-understood and need to be addressed,” Costello said. “This report makes a valuable contribution to the work underway to strengthen services.”

Growing Demand for Dementia and Cognitive Care

Neurological cognitive disorders, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, are becoming increasingly prevalent in New Zealand. Health sector estimates suggest that more than 70,000 New Zealanders currently live with dementia, and that number is expected to more than double by 2050 as the population ages.

These conditions often require specialised long-term care, placing increasing pressure on aged residential care facilities, community support systems, and family carers.

The Health Committee launched the inquiry in 2024 to evaluate how effectively existing services support individuals experiencing cognitive decline. The committee received more than 100 submissions from healthcare professionals, advocacy groups, caregivers, and aged care providers, and conducted visits to several care facilities and service organisations across the country.

14 Key Recommendations to Strengthen Support

The committee’s final report outlines 14 recommendations aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of support services for people living with neurological cognitive disorders.

The recommendations focus on several key areas:

• Access to aged residential care, particularly for people with complex cognitive needs

• Expansion of home and community support services to allow older adults to remain in their homes longer

• Support for informal carers, many of whom are family members providing unpaid care

• Strengthening the aged care workforce, including training for dementia-specific care

The Government’s response formally acknowledges all recommendations and signals that many will be incorporated into ongoing policy development.

Advisory Group to Guide Long-Term Reform

Central to the Government’s strategy is the Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group, established in 2025 to provide independent advice on the long-term sustainability and direction of New Zealand’s aged care system.

The advisory group is expected to deliver its recommendations to ministers by mid-2026. Officials confirmed that the Health Committee’s report will form a key input into this review.

Costello said integrating the committee’s findings into broader policy work will help ensure reforms are evidence-based and aligned with sector needs.

“Many of the report’s recommendations will be considered through the work already underway on aged care, including through the Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group,” she said.

Ensuring High-Quality Care for an Ageing Population

New Zealand’s population aged 65 and older is projected to reach nearly one million by the early 2030s, placing increasing demand on healthcare and support services. Policymakers are now focusing on ensuring that older adults—especially those with cognitive impairments—can access care that is timely, appropriate, and sustainable.

The Government thanked the Health Committee and the many organisations and individuals who contributed evidence to the inquiry.

“We are committed to ensuring older people, including those with neurological cognitive disorders, can access timely, high-quality services that support them to live and age well,” Costello said.

The report’s findings are expected to influence future policy decisions as New Zealand prepares for a significant rise in dementia and age-related care needs in the coming decades.