The WHO Age Friendly eight domains align with the Oranga Papaioea City Strategy and the Palmerston North City Council’s (PNCC) goals of being a connected and safe, innovative, and growing community. Our Age Friendly Action Plan delivers on strategic aspirations within the current Community Support Plan, Transport Plan, Urban Design Plan, Housing Plan and Social Housing Guidelines. Our Age Friendly Action Plan also aligns with work currently being undertaken by the Council including the Accessibility Audit, endorsement of the Enabling Good Lives Principles, and commitment to the Urban Design Protocol.

Specific Age Friendly programmes that will be implemented include:
• Adding an Age Friendly webpage to the PNCC website to improve information accessibility and community awareness
• Piloting and implementing the Age Friendly Recognition Framework with businesses in the city to encourage inclusive practices
• Supporting the establishment of a bi-annual Positive Ageing Forum to facilitate ongoing community dialogue and progress the city’s Age Friendly Action Plan
• Workshops, with community partners, to inform retirement decisions and provide practical guidance
• Providing play opportunities for older adults to promote physical activity and social connection
• Promoting and celebrating Global Intergenerational Week and International Day of the Older Person
• Adding Age Friendly equipment and resources to the PNCC community events mobile pop-up trailer

These initiatives demonstrate our commitment to creating an inclusive environment where older adults can thrive and participate fully in community life. PNCC is a member of Age Friendly Aotearoa (AFANZ) and plans to conduct the Age Friendly Cities and Communities Questionnaire (AFCCQ) Survey, as a baseline in 2026 and then every three years to measure changes and help inform areas to prioritise and focus on for improvement to become more age friendly.