Making Connections, free Courses for Older Drivers, events & news... |
|
|
We hope you'll enjoy this newsletter. It's filled with exciting opportunities, upcoming events, and useful information just for you. Thank you for being a part of our wonderful community. You are valued! Please give us a call on 04 499 6646 or email info@acwellington.org.nz if you would like to get in touch with us.
|
We are very pleased to announce that Making Connections, our popular Seniors' Week event, is on again this year. Making Connections is a wonderful opportunity for seniors to make connections with each other, and with various organisations and businesses that can assist in improving health and wellbeing. Come along to enjoy some great speakers, delicious food and some fun. Making Connections 2025 is going to be bigger and better than ever. We've got a health hub planned, as well as our famous tea and tech one-on-one help for seniors wanting to learn more about their tech device.
The event is FREE for seniors, and will take place at the St James Theatre, Courtenay Place, on Tuesday, 7 October from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm. We had 160 people attending last year, so you will need to book your space soon! We look forward to seeing you there.
For more information and to register to secure your place, click the blue button... |
Staying Safe is a FREE classroom-based refresher workshop for senior road users. Age Concern runs these workshops in partnership with NZTA/Waka Kotahi. They run from 10am till 2pm with refreshments provided. Please join us, even if you've already taken the course in the past.
Registration is essential. To register for a class now, email events@acwellington.org.nz or click on the link here: https://www.acwellington.org.nz/events/staying-safe/
Next classes |
WELLINGTON CENTRAL COFFEE GROUP |
Join Age Concern for our monthly coffee group for seniors. When: Thursday 28 August 2025, 10.30am
Where: Y Youth Hub, 203 Willis Street, Wellington (**new location**)
Please call 027 248 0335 or email events@acwellington.org.nz for details. |
The monthly Upper Hutt Social Connection Hub is a social gathering for seniors where you can enjoy a light lunch and make new friends.
When: Wednesday 10 September, 12pm. Speaker - Stephen Opie, CEO Age Concern, Wellington Where: Heretaunga Community Church, Upper Hutt Drop in or call 04 499 6646 for more information. |
Join Age Concern for our monthly coffee group for seniors: come by for some tea and coffee, and snacks, and a great speaker! Email events@acwellington.org.nz for details. |
GUIDED TOUR OF PUKEAHU PARK |
Join us for a free one-hour guided tour of Pukeahu National War Memorial Park! Pukeahu National War Memorial Park is the central place for New Zealanders to remember and reflect on this country's experience of war, military conflict, and peacekeeping, and how that experience shapes our ideals and sense of national identity. We are working with Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture & Heritage to bring you free guided tours of this amazing park.
When: Tuesday 30 September, 10.00 am to 12.00 noon Where: Meet at the Pukeahu Education Centre, 191 Tory street. Parking available by the Education Centre. Turn into 191 Education Centre's driveway, there is parking on the side there.
Bookings are essential so please email events@acwellington.org.nz to reserve your space. This programme is accessible for different mobility needs.
|
“RIVIERA REVENGE” MOVIE – FREE PASSES
|
We are delighted to give you a chance to win one of two double passes to see RIVIERA REVENGE, a French romantic comedy, in New Zealand cinemas from August 7. Alternatively, you could win one of five "Buy One Get One Free" passes.
On the sunny French Riviera, a family revelation spirals into a mischievous journey brimming with love, vengeance and surprises. No one ever said marriage was easy and who could resist retribution by the seaside?
Courtesy of Potential Films, we are giving away 2 complimentary double passes, and 5 "Buy One Get One Free" passes to see RIVIERA REVENGE in select NZ cinemas. We will be giving these away on a first come first served basis.
The Wellington Region screenings are currently being shown in the Penthouse Cinema, Wellington: Lighthouse Cinema, Petone: Monterey Cinema, Upper Hutt: and Shoreline Cinema, Waikanae.
Contact us at: comms@acwellington.org.nz
|
|
|
STEADY AS YOU GO FALLS PREVENTION CLASSES |
Our Steady As You Go exercise classes are available around the Wellington region. These classes are designed to improve strength and balance and help prevent a fall. Steady as You Go classes improve: -
Balance and leg strength
- Flexibility
- General fitness and wellbeing
And they are a great way to meet new people! Check out some of our available classes... all welcome! -
Wainuiomata (Wainuiomata Library), Tuesdays 11am
-
Newtown (Newtown Community Centre), Tuesdays noon
Upper Hutt, Te Kupenga o Rongomai/Maidstone Sports Hub, Tuesdays 11am -
Kilbirnie-Lyall Bay Community Centre, Tuesdays 1pm
-
Walter Nash Centre, Taitā, Tuesday 1:30pm
- Johnsonville Uniting Church, Tuesdays 1pm
Hataitai, All Saints Church, Wednesdays 12pm
*NEW* Strathmore, Wednesdays 12.30pm *NEW* -
Island Bay Community Centre, Wednesdays 1.30pm
-
Tawa Community Centre, Thursday 1pm
Walter Nash Centre, Taitā, Thursday 1.30pm -
Thorndon, Loaves and Fishes in the Anglican Cathedral, Fridays 1pm
To find out more about Steady As You Go and for a full list of Steady As You Go and Aligned To Go classes around the Region, click here or call 04 499 6646.
|
STEADY AS YOU GO ONLINE EXERCISE CLASSES – ALL WELCOME |
Wednesdays at 9:30am there is a livestream Steady As You Go class on Zoom. It's open to anyone - you don't need any prior experience. It is a gentle entry-level exercise class, and all you need to do is register by filling in the form online (click the blue button below). The link will be sent to you. Come and join the 20+ other seniors online for some gentle exercise fun together! |
|
|
CAN YOU JOIN OUR REGULAR DONOR TEAM? |
Did you know that Age Concern Wellington Region is a charity? Only about a quarter of our funding comes from the Government and another quarter from local Councils. We need to raise the rest of the funding we need to keep the programmes you've just read about in this newsletter going.
We have a team of donors who contribute to our work on a regular basis. Regular donations help us budget and plan for the future. Are you able to join our regular donor team? Even $10 per month makes a real difference!
To make a regular donation using our secure website, click the button below. Select your donation frequency using the drop down menu on the form. Or you can call us if you want to make a regular payment using internet banking directly. |
ONLINE FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH |
If you are interested in researching family history these upcoming workshops at the Tawa Library may be of interest:
Please note that the workshops are based around digital resources, so some level of computer literacy would be ideal in order for participants to get the most out of the sessions. Small group sessions but there is limited space (12 at each) so bookings are essential. Talk to library staff or ring 04 232 1690 for more information.
|
WAITANGI TRIBUNAL TOUR – WELLINGTON MUSEUM |
Te Waka Huia/Wellington Museum invites SuperGold cardholders to experience an intimate, guided tour of photography exhibition He Kura Toi Tangata: 50 Years of the Waitangi Tribunal, 1975-2025.
The tour will continue throughout the museum, weaving through Wellington stories and taonga currently on display. After the tour, there will be a warm cuppa in the old Harbour Board room, with a little sweet something to finish off the afternoon. This tour is part of the Takurua Hauora: Winter Wellness event series developed by Te Waka Huia Wellington Museum and is presented in collaboration with our programme partner Kāhui Legal.
Tickets are limited. Booking is essential. Sunday 24 August | 10:30am–12pm $5 for SuperGold Cardholders Book online or over the phone on: 04 472 8904
Ticket link: https://www.museumswellington.org.nz/gold-card-tour/
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/share/16gUgSKW1n/
| DYING MATTERS WEEK 2025 – WELLINGTON |
Dying Matters Week 2025 will be held from September 1st to 7th. This week aims to encourage conversations about death and end-of-life planning and will feature events across Wellington, including local libraries and community spaces. Dying Matters Week is being led by Go With Grace, with the support of regional coordinators and sponsors and Hospice New Zealand, The Eldernet Group, and End of Life Doula Alliance Aotearoa (ELDAA).
For event details, click here... |
DO YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY FUND? |
Having emergency savings can make life a lot easier if, or when, the unexpected happens according to the Retirement Commission and the advice on the Sorted website.
Everyone needs an emergency fund. The big issues can be covered by insurance, but there are so many surprising smaller issues that require money in a hurry. So, there is a need to ‘self-insure’. That’s where emergency savings come in. Building up your buffer is the best place to start.
Sorted Personal Financial Lead Tom Hartmann says, “Building up your emergency savings helps you to deal with financial challenges when they arise.”
Sorted is a free service run by Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission, the government-funded, independent agency dedicated to helping New Zealanders get ahead financially. For more information go to Sorted Emergency Savings.
|
PAYING FOR PARKING – HUTT CITY |
Change is on the way for payment of car-parking charges in the Hutt. From Monday, 18 August work was begun to convert parking meters to card-only payment, with the expectation that the work will take about two weeks.
The council acknowledges that some people prefer the option of paying for parking with coins, so here is why parking meters are moving to card-only payments.
This year has seen a big increase in theft and vandalism of parking meters with cash boxes with some 30 meters damaged or destroyed. Repairing and replacing them has cost around $114,000 — far more than the $2,975 in stolen coins. This is a cost all ratepayers end up covering. By converting the remaining coin meters to accept cards only, the incentive for theft, reduce damage is removed, along with a saving of community money.
How can you pay for parking?
You’ll still have two simple options:
Tap or insert your debit or credit card directly at the meter
Use the free PayMyPark app on your phone. The app is available for download from the Google Play Store (Android phones) and Apple Store (Apple iPhones). PayMyPark does not charge a registration fee but, like Snapper requires a deposit of funds. If in doubt, please contact the PayMyPark support team at info@paymypark.com
There’s a short video available showing how to pay at the meter and a step-by-step guide on how to use PayMyPark. This guide can be printed off for those who don’t have internet access.
For those who don’t have a credit or debit card, you can use a prepaid debit card (available at most supermarkets and convenience stores) or link to the Account-to Account payment option to the PayMyPark app. |
Some of you may have received an email from Netsafe, but in case you didn't, here is an overview.
Netsafe has launched phase two of their Get Set Up for Safety toolkit.
Whether you're using technology for work, fun, or staying connected with loved ones, staying safe online is possible if you're armed with the right information.
At the Netsafe digital safety hub for older people you will find a range of short easy-to-read fact sheets, longer in-depth booklets, videos, and interactive activities on key online safety topics.
You can view these online, download them, print them out or share them with others. See the hub here: https://netsafe.org.nz/older-people You may already be following best practice, which is great! It's always worth brushing up on digital safety and security, to give you peace of mind when online. |
DIABETES SCAMS ON SOCIAL MEDIA |
Please be aware that there is a scam currently appearing on multiple social media platforms, relating to diabetes medication.
Images and video footage of Professor Rinki Murphy, a diabetes expert at Health NZ and Professor of Medicine at University of Auckland, are being used on social media to promote fake products. The material is sufficiently convincing for dozens of people to have contacted Professor Murphy, saying they have stopped taking their regular medication and sent money for various products to cure diabetes or to lose weight.
This type of health scam, which is becoming increasingly common, uses artificial intelligence to create deepfake videos of doctors, especially those who also do research. The doctor's reputation is used to deceive and persuade people into buying scam products online. Some of the videos say things like "buy this 5 second method", "take this cure for 27 days" or "these pills are NOT sold in pharmacies" or "Click here to find out more" – phrases like these are red flags.
We recommend that patients talk to their healthcare team before buying any health product online. They should never stop taking their regular diabetes medications, unless they have consulted with their medical team.
If you are aware of people who have been harmed or lost money in this way, please report the scam to NZ Police and Netsafe: https://netsafe.org.nz/ |
Writers on Mondays is a series of free weekly events coming up, mostly hosted at Te Papa on Mondays at 12:15, which you could really enjoy.
These are author talks with some wonderful writers from across New Zealand. There is a wide selection of writers covering different genres and includes winners of various sections of the Ockham Book awards and other prizes. For example the session on 7 July features Michelle Rahurahu who just won the 'best first book' award at the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards, and other stars like Damien Wilkins, Michelle Duff and Jenny Patrick. The full programme is here: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/modernletters/about/events/writers-mondays
|
The Peninsula Family Choir an open-doors singing group for families and people of all ages in South Wellington and Miramar. Led by our fantastic song leader Sharon, this inter-generational group is a place for local families, parents with babies, retirees, and any other interested community members to meet, socialise and have fun singing together! Tea, coffee and milo are provided. Time: 9:30 - 10:15am every Saturday during school terms
Location: Miramar North School Hall, 23 Weka Street, Miramar Price: FREE!
Learn more: https://www.wellingtonmusiccentre.org.nz/peninsula-family-choir
|
FREE TRI-SHAW RIDES – PETONE |
Riding with Olivia is the Lower Hutt chapter of the global Cycling Without Age charity and was established for the principal reason of providing a living and dynamic memorial to Olivia Marchant, a much-loved nurse in Lower Hutt for 24 years. Cycling Without Age was seen as the perfect vehicle to keep the memory of Olivia alive in Lower Hutt. Cycling Without Age is a non-profit organisation connecting those unable to ride for themselves with their community and the outdoors by providing free rides on trishaw ebikes piloted by volunteer cyclists.
Their 3 trishaws are currently based in the Petone Rowing Club building at 160 The Esplanade, Petone (under the Seashore Cabaret Cafe) and they currently limit their rides to the adjacent cycleway.
There is passenger information and a booking form HERE on their website. The rides can be as long (within reason) or as short as the passenger wishes. Typically between 10 minutes and an hour but up to the passenger and pilot to agree.
For further information visit the WEBSITE, or email info@ridingwitholivia.nz or phone/text Jeff at 0275717106.
Read more about the Cycling Without Age which began in Denmark in 2012.
|
FREE SOUP AT WALTER NASH CENTRE ON THURSDAYS |
Free soup is available (from the lovely volunteers at St Vincent de Paul) to anyone who may benefit. Available all winter until the end of Aug 2025 - each Thursday at Walter Nash Centre 10-12pm (or until it's gone). Come earlier to have some, take some home for later or to someone in need. Lower Hutt Neighbourhood Support will have a stall alongside the soup stall most Thursdays. |
NURSE-IN-PHARMACY – PORIRUA |
Life Pharmacy North City now offers a Nurse-In-Pharmacy service. This service is FREE for those eligible. Given the ongoing doctor shortages and challenges in securing appointments and access to healthcare in weekends and after hours, Life North City now has a nurse available in-store, 7 days a week.
Additionally, it offers support for online medical consultations. Monday to Saturday 9:30 to 6pm (Thurs till 9pm), Sunday 10-6pm
Cost: - Free to U14s and CSC holders. There may be a charge for others.
- Free virtual Doctor GP appointments if required – conditions apply
2 Titahi Bay Road, Porirua. Located inside the North City Shopping Centre near the New World Entrance. Walk in or make an appointment. Phone 04 237 5777 |
SOOTHING SONGS COMFORTING PEOPLE NEAR THE END OF LIFE |
Whakaahuru means to warm, to cherish or to comfort and that is the aim of the Whakaahuru Gentle Singers. The group will sing at the bedside (or chair side) of anyone who is nearing the end of life and would enjoy hearing some gentle songs. They aim to create a soothing, warm bath of sound that helps people relax - patients, their family and carers. They offer a free service throughout the Wellington Region. If you would like to request them to sing for someone you know, email whakaahuru@gmail.com, or call or text 022 355 6954. Visit their website for more information here https://whakaahuru.nz/
|
|
|
Useful Tips
From phone calls and text messages saying you owe money, need to claim a parcel, or must renew an important document, to emails and letters claiming to want to give you money or urgently needing you to renew a registration of some kind, there are countless approaches out there. Sadly, it's important to be on your guard.
Some useful tips include considering requests and asking yourself how the request makes you feel. It's also important never to enter passwords on unknown sites. Even clicking on a link in a text message can be dangerous. Scammers are good at making things seem urgent, so perhaps the most useful advice we've come across is to 'pause, reflect, protect."
Click here to try ANZ's Scams and fraud quiz to test your knowledge... |
ANNUAL FUNDRAISING APPEAL |
Age Concern Wellington Region is a charity that relies on funding, not only from central and local government (about 25% of our funding each), but also donations from our generous corporate and private supporters – both current and potential. We are running our Annual Appeal, calling on our community to support the growing number of older people across the Region who rely on our vital services.
“Every dollar makes a difference,” CEO, Stephen Opie says. “Together, we can create a future where ageing is something to be celebrated—not feared.” Please click here for more information and to donate if you can.
|
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS AND CONTACTS
|
- For
emergencies dial 111
-
For non-emergency police matters dial 105
- If you are feeling anxious or just
need someone to talk to call or text 1737
-
Age Concern Wellington Region 04 499 6646 info@acwellington.org.nz
Alcohol Drug Helpline (open 24/7) - 0800 787 797. You can also text 8691 for free
ASB Bank Senior Priority Direct Line 0800 272 119 Continence NZ Helpline 0800 650 659 -
Dementia Resources https://www.harrislist.co.nz/
Dementia Wellington 04 972 2595 - Depression Helpline (open 24/7) - 0800 111 757
Elder Abuse Wellington Helpline 04 805 0880
Entitlements: MSD Senior Services line 0800 552 002 -
Feedback address for Wellington Hospital at Feedback [CCDHB] Feedback@ccdhb.org.nz including improving the communication regarding queries and information from individual departments.
Financial dispute resolution services: Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman: info@ifso.nz Financial Services Complaints 0800 347 257 complaints
Financial Dispute Resolution Service 0508 337 337 enquiries@fdrs.org.nz Banking Ombudsman Scheme 0800 805 950 help@bankomb.org.nz Greater Wellington Regional Council http://www.gw.govt.nz/
- Healthline (open 24/7) - 0800 611 116
Hutt City Council: huttcity.govt.nz/ or 04 570 6666
Kapiti Coast District Council: https://www.kapiticoast.govt.nz
Lifeline: qualified counsellors and trained volunteers: 0800 543 354 or free text 4357
Mental Health Foundation's free Resource and Information Service: 09 623 4812
Porirua City Council: poriruacity.govt.nz/ or 04 237 5089
Samaritans: confidential support, empathetic listeners: 0800 726 666 -
Suicide Crisis Helpline (open 24/7) - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
-
Upper Hutt City Council: upperhuttcity.com/ or 04 527 2169
- WellElder: a counselling service for older people, or those supporting an older person. Wellington Region: 04 380 2440 (Tuesday - Thursday)
-
Wellington City Council: wellington.govt.nz or 04 499 4444
|
THANK YOU TO THE TRUSTS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT |
We really appreciate The Trusts Community Foundation's recent support! |
|
|
Age Concern Wellington Region is a registered charity. We are part of a wider network of more than 30 Age Concerns located across the country.
Visit our website to find out more about our work around the Wellington Region and how you can be involved
www.acwellington.org.nz
© Age Concern Wellington Region Trust
Charities # CC61759 |
|
|
|