Overview

Established in 1994

The HOPE Foundation for Research on Ageing is a non-Government funded Charitable Trust established to prepare New Zealand for an ageing future.

What is our mission?

  • Lead and resource the funding of people doing research on ageing
  • Disseminate research-based information about the effects of ageing on individuals and society
  • Develop the pool of researchers in New Zealand
  • Influence decision-makers to improve the quality of life for ageing New Zealanders

Why the need for the Foundation?

The New Zealand population is undergoing a major demographic transformation and is facing an epidemic in ageing. At the time of the 2001 Census, the population aged 65 years and over totalled nearly half a million. The number of older people has continued to increase to nearly 900,000 65+ years including 93,000 over 85 years (2023 Census).

In 1966, 12% of the population was 64 and over. In 2023, 17% of the population was 65 or over. In 2048 it is projected to be 23%. The higher proportion of an older people is not caused by baby boomers alone but lower birth rates and lower death rates. The proportion of older people aged 75 and over will be particularly significant over the next two decades and it is estimated that the proportion over age 85 will quadruple over the next 20 years. There will also be significant increase in the number of Maori and Pacific older people.

The social impact of a significant proportion of the population being "non-working" has major implications for our society in economic, demographic, town planning, infrastructural and health related areas.

How are we addressing the issues

The Foundation’s primary strategy is to encourage research into issues of ageing and to make the results available to the policy makers and planners who need them. 

Research

Support for graduate research at Master’s and Doctoral levels has been established by way of HOPE Foundation for Research on Ageing scholarships at Auckland, AUT, Waikato, Massey, Victoria (Wellington), Canterbury and Otago Universities.  These are facilitating research on ageing in a number of disciplines by young research scientists.  The Foundation also supports Summer Research Studentships at an undergraduate level at The University of Auckland.  The Foundation’s hope is to encourage interest in research in the field of ageing at the start of a career, so interest will be maintained throughout the individual’s productive research life.  The Foundation sees a natural balance between encouraging research on ageing and assisting young research scientists to begin a career. 

Education

Research results must be disseminated to interested parties if they are to have practical implications for planning.  The Foundation arranges educational programmes to assist with this process.  Examples include seminars for people working in legal, advisory and policy-making capacities with older people, the business community, people caring for older relatives and friends, and health professionals.  In 2007 the Foundation sponsored a visit by Professor Alastair Campbell, Professor of Bioethics at Bristol University to discuss ethical issues in older age.  He addressed more than 30 groups during the visit including well attended seminars at Parliament.

Where does the money come from?

In the last year The Foundation has been supported by the organisations listed elsewhere on this site, and also by donations made by a large number of private donors.  Whilst sufficient to enable the Foundation to function on a day-to-day basis, it lacks a Capital Fund to draw on in emergencies.  Ideally, we need $2 million in such a fund to guarantee long-term existence. We believe that generous people sharing our vision will enable us to reach that target.

What can you do?

You could support The Foundation in a number of ways.  To learn more, click here.

Ensure that your memory is continued by planned giving to the Foundation in your Will. We can assist with the correct wording for a Codicil in your Will.

Join the Friends of the Foundation and receive our Newsletter and invitations to special events.

Read more about the Friends of the Foundation here>>

For further information write to HOPE Foundation for Research on Ageing P O Box 125192 St Heliers Auckland 1740 or E-mail the executive officer Dr Karen Mumme via our contact form