About the symposium
This event was held on 3 September 2024 at the University of Auckland | Waipapa Taumata Rau in Auckland. The New Zealand Family Violence Clearinghouse and the Ministry of Social Development | Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora (MSD) co-hosted a one-day symposium to bring together specialists, researchers and policymakers working to address the abuse of older people. The symposium featured speaker panels and workshop discussions that explored the critical gaps in our understanding of and response to abuse of older people in Aotearoa.
The speaker panels and workshops addressed 4 themes:
- Understanding and measuring abuse of older people
- Inequities and intersectional identities
- Reflections from practice on barriers and challenges
- Aspirations for wellbeing and hauora.
Speakers shared insights from their work. These short presentations provided a starting point to spark conversation, broaden thinking and create opportunities for collaboration.
Below you'll find videos and slides from the speakers.
Speaker panels
Panel 1 – Understanding and measuring abuse of older people
Speakers from panel 1 included Gail Pacheco from Auckland University of Technology, Tia Dawes from Wai Rangahau and the University of Auckland | Waipapa Taumata Rau and Pauline Gulliver from National Mortality Review. Watch the Panel 1 video or see Panel 1 slides.
Panel 2 - Inequities and intersectional identities
Speakers from panel 2 included Huhana Hickey from Pukenga Consultancy, Debbie Hager from VisAble, Hong-Jae Park from Western Sydney University and Sandra Dickson from Hohou te Rongo Kahukura. Watch the Panel 2 video or see the Panel 2 slides.
Panel 3 - Reflections from practice on barriers and challenges
Speakers from panel 3 included Danielle Oaks from Te Ahi Kaa, Nilima Venkat from Seva Charitable Trust and Hanny Naus from Age Concern New Zealand. Watch the Panel 3 video or see the Panel 3 slides.
Panel 4 - Aspirations for wellbeing and hauora
Speakers from panel 4 included Te Piere Warahi from the University of Auckland | Waipapa Taumata Rau, Malia Hamani from Toa Pacific Inc, and Diane Turner from Office for Seniors, Ministry of Social Development | Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora. Watch the Panel 4 video see the Panel 4 slides.
Related resources
List of related research reports and articles from symposium attendees
Summary notes from the symposium small group discussion notes (compiled by NZFVC)
Reports from projects commissed by MSD focused on the prevention of abuse of older people include Abuse of older people in Aotearoa New Zealand - An examination of potential data sources (2024); Review of screening and assessment tools for abuse of older people (2024); Gathering insights from the Elder Abuse Prevention fund (2024). Find more information about MSD's 3-year work programmed focused on prevention of abuse of older people.
The New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) video on Exploring Structural Ageism in Aotearoa (2024)
You can search our library for more research and information about older people and abuse.