Advocacy

We advocate for all people affected by dementia mate wareware to be respected and valued, to exercise their rights to contribute to and participate in their communities, and to have high quality health and wellness outcomes whoever they are, whatever their circumstances, and wherever they live in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Whānau laughing on step - two women and two children

Our policy documents and submissions are an important part of the work we do, as they provide a platform for communicating directly with Parliament and key decision makers.

These documents are put together in collaboration with our Advisory Group of people and their whānau living with dementia mate wareware and local Alzheimers organisations. They are framed by a set of guiding principles that articulate our values and mission.

We also work closely with different organisations and are members of many different groups.

2023 General Election 

We asked Political Parties several policy questions in the lead up to the 2023 General Election to understand where dementia mate wareware is on their agenda.

Check out their responses.

  • Dementia Mate Wareware Action Plan Thumbnail Image

    Dementia Mate Wareware Action Plan

    2020-2025

    This five year Action Plan is the result of a collaboration between Alzheimers NZ, the New Zealand Dementia Cooperative, the Mate Wareware Advisory Rōpū and Dementia New Zealand, with the voices and input of over 300 individuals and groups. The Plan focuses on the most urgent actions to better support people living with dementia mate wareware.

  • Election briefing Thumbnail Image

    Election briefing

    2023

    In our Election briefing 2023, we have urged Government to stem the worst impacts of the looming health crisis.

    To do that, Government must act now and do these two things urgently:

    • Implement and fund the Dementia Mate Wareware Action Plan to reduce the rapidly growing incidence of dementia mate wareware among New Zealanders and provide better support for those diagnosed with the condition.
    • Provide $9 million per year to stabilise community dementia mate wareware support services. Many of these services are on the brink of financial collapse.
  • Briefing to the Incoming Minister Thumbnail Image

    Briefing to the Incoming Minister

    2023

    In our Briefing to the Incoming Minister of Health, Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall, Alzheimers NZ has urged Government to stem the worst impacts of the looming health crisis.

  • Budget Policy Statement Thumbnail Image

    Budget Policy Statement

    2023

    Alzheimers NZ is urging the Government to use Budget 2023 to provide $9 million per year to remedy the urgent and immediate funding gap in community based dementia mate wareware services.

  • Mahi Aroha – Carers’ Strategy Action Plan Thumbnail Image

    Mahi Aroha – Carers’ Strategy Action Plan

    2019–2023

    The Carers’ Strategy Action Plan 2019–2023 includes a range of actions to improve the wellbeing of the one in 10 New Zealanders who care for a loved one with a disability, health condition, illness or injury. The Plan includes a new focus on target populations (Māori, Pacific, young and older carers) and a family, whānau, aiga-centred approach will form part of the implementation approach.

  • Valuing the advocacy of people with dementia Thumbnail Image

    Valuing the advocacy of people with dementia

    Dementia Alliance International

    This report highlights why the voices and experiences of people living with dementia must be a critical component within the policy making process, and provides some great examples of what that looks like in practice. This includes how our Advisory Group here in New Zealand has strengthened the work we do. We are strongly supportive of DAI’s work over the years to bring the voice of people living with dementia to policy making around the world.