Old and poor or old and cared for? Some policy reflections on data from the first two waves of NZLSA

ahead is not guaranteed. They could both be substantially eroded, turning two of New Zealand’s fine policy achievements into a disaster if they are not properly attended to. So the critical policy challenge is to eliminate child poverty, while preserving the gains achieved for older New Zealanders. This requires considerable policy focus, given the demographic changes that New Zealand is currently undergoing. Ageing is a critical driver of the demographic changes taking place in New Zealand, as the post-war baby boomers populate the 65-plus age group in large numbers. Projections from Statistics New Zealand (middle series) indicate that 100,000 people aged 65 and over will be added to the population every five years from 2011 to 2036 (Statistics New Zealand, 2007). The 2013 census Introduction