Advocacy
We advocate for all people affected by dementia to be understood, have their needs met, to be able to live fulfilling lives, and have access to appropriate care and support whatever their situation.

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Facts and figures
Almost 70,000 Kiwis are living with dementia today.
Almost 170,000 Kiwis are likely to be living with dementia by 2050
4 out of 5 New Zealanders know or have known someone living with dementia.
Dementia impacts more women than men – around 30% higher
The total cost of dementia to NZ is now around $2.5b and will reach around $5.9b by 2050
Residential care currently accounts for around half of the economic cost of dementia borne by government ($1.21b).
Dementia numbers are increasing at a faster rate among Māori, Pasifika and Asian populations than those of European New Zealanders.
Care partners provide over 1 million hours of unpaid care every week.
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 living with dementia and local Alzheimers organisations. They are framed by a set of guiding principles that articulate our values and mission.
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Dementia Mate Wareware Action Plan
2020-2025
This five year National Dementia 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.
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Briefing to the Incoming Minister
2023
In our Briefing to the Incoming Minister of Health Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall, 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 (the 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.
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Budget Policy Statement
2021
Alzheimers NZ strongly supports the Budget Policy Statement’s prioritisation of the recovery and rebuild from Covid-19. However, despite its laudable goals, the Budget Policy Statement is totally and astonishingly silent on dementia. There are significant budget policy implications associated with our ageing population and the increase in dementia. Our submission contains recommendations for Budget 2021 to reduce the rapidly growing economic impact of dementia.
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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.
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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.
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Better Later Life - He Oranga Kaumātua
Action Plan
The Better Later Life Action Plan from Tari Kaumātua Office for Seniors sets out the Government’s priorities and commitments to deliver the Better Later Life – He Oranga Kaumātua strategy over the next three years.
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More submissions
Download the documents below
- Submission on the development of the Health of Disabled People Strategy
- Submission on the development of NZ Women’s Health Strategy
- Submission on Review of Adult Decision-Making Capacity Law
- Submission on the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Community Participation) Amendment Bill
- Submission on the Charities Amendment Bill
- Submission on Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill
- Submission on the Fair Pay Agreements Bill
- Incorporated Societies Bill
- He Ara Oranga wellbeing outcomes framework
- Working Matters - Draft Disability Employment Action Plan
- Recommendations for Budget 2020
- Towards Election 2020
- Charities Act Review
- Health and Disability Review
- Recommendations for Budget 2019
- End of Life Choice Bill
- Discussion Document for Developing a New Strategy for an Ageing Population
- Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction
- UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
- Budget Policy Statement 2018
- Briefing to the Incoming Minister 2017