More older Kiwis continue to work

More older Kiwis continue to work

A growing number of NZers are staying in the labour force beyond the age of superannuation entitlement says Statistics NZ.

This is according to a newly released report, New Zealand’s 65+ Population: a statistical volume, which brings together a wide range of statistics on older NZers – those aged 65 years and over.

Over two-fifths (43 per cent) of men aged 65-69 years, and one-fifth of those aged 70-74 years were in full-time or part-time employment at the 2006 Census, as were over a quarter of women aged 65-69 years.

NZers are also living longer. Between 1950-52 and 2004-06, the proportion of NZ men living to age 65 increased from 68 per cent to 86 per cent. Women however, made greater gains with about 90 per cent of NZ women now likely to live to 65 years, and about half to 85.

Population ageing is more pronounced in the South Island than in the North Island and also between various cities and districts.

In 2006, the 65+ group made up over 20 per cent of all residents, in four areas (compared with 12 per cent nationally), these were Thames Coromandel, Kapiti Coast, Horowhenua and Waitaki.