You are on page 1of 9

Activities for Older People - Greater Auckland (may 2009) .

This is a listing of activities for relatively independent older people. We have information on
Day Care for people who require more help with activities and a short listing of Day Care
centres catering for people with dementia. Phone Seniorline on 09 375 4395 or visit
www.adhb.govt.nz/rcline for more information. The listing is not exhaustive. Below are
suggestions on further places you might contact for activities in your local area.

Citizens Advice Bureau — 0800 367 222


Local CAB's keep a large database of information on senior citizen's clubs and societies,
walking groups, exercise classes and special interest groups.

Specific Need Groups


Communities often establish recreation groups and leisure activities to meet specific needs.
Examples of these are the Stroke Foundation, Foundation for the Blind, Arthritis NZ, Diabetes
NZ. If you have a specific need, contact the appropriate agency for more information.

Community Centres & Community Houses


Local Community Centres and Houses often cater for older adults with activities such as
Gentle Exercise classes, 50's+ programmes, Yoga classes etc. Contact Community Centres
direct or ring your local City Council for contacts.

Community Education
Classes are held in a number of secondary schools in Auckland with a wide range of topics
offered. Information on classes is published regularly in community newspapers, or contact
your local school to see if they offer Community Education programmes.

Needs Assessment workers also have information on activities and programmes in your local
area — see contacts below.
Needs Assessment contact phone numbers:
Auckland .................................... 631 1234
North Shore and Rodney ......... 442 7171
Waitakere ................................. 442 7171
Counties Manukau .................... 276 0040
Concessions for Older Adults
Transport
Auckland residents with a SuperGold Card can travel free on public transport after 9am on
weekdays. Card holders can also travel free on weekends and public holidays. For further
information contact MAXX on 09 366 6400.

The Total Mobility Scheme helps people with a permanent disability assessed as unable to
use public transport. Card holders are entitled to reduced taxi fares. Application forms are
available from disability organisations like Alzheimer's Foundation, Stroke Foundation and
others.

Seniors Card
This is a travel and shopping card available to New Zealanders aged 55 years and over.
Card holders receive discounts and benefits from a wide range of New Zealand businesses.
Seniors Card costs $29 for a one-year membership or $39 for two years. Apply for a card at
your local Age Concern or online at www.seniorscard.co.nz .

Super Gold Card


This card is for all New Zealand residents 65 years and over and those under 65 years who
qualify for NZ Superannuation or Veterans Pension. The SuperGold Card replaces the
Community Services card and the NZ Super Card. Entitlements are shown on the back of
the card (e.g. with initials CSC, NZS, VP). The card can be used to receive discounts and
benefits from participating businesses. Contact your local Work and Income Super Centre.

Entertainment
Most venues will provide discounts to senior citizens on admission costs. Some conditions
may apply.

Activities Index
Craft Groups
Care and Craft ................................ 3 Edwards Travel Club ...................... 6
CMA — Centres for Mutual Aid ............ 3 Shanti Niwas Trust ......................... 7
Communicare ................................. 3 Sixties Up Movement ...................... 7
Day Spring Trust Care Centre ............ 4 Te Atatu Christian Care .................. 7
Selwyn Foundation ........................... 4 Special Interest Groups
Exercise programmes Age Concern ................................ 8
Green prescription ........................... 4 Auckland Central Model Railway Club 8
Never2old ...................................... 5 Model Flying NZ ............................ 8
Sit Fit Exercise Class ........................ 5 Probus Clubs ................................ 8
Tai Chi (modified) ............................ 5 Returned Services Association ......... 8
The ChiBall Method .......................... 5 SeniorNet ..................................... 9
Other Activities Stroke Foundation ......................... 9
Chinese Kiwi Friendship Project .......... 6 TOA Pacific Inc ............................. 9
Coffee and Chat Group ...................... 6 U3A — Universities of the Third Age ... 9
Dunn's Touring ................................ 6
Craft programmes
i,

Care & Craft


Contact Cicely Lawler 625 8699
Email n/a
Fees $2-$3 approximately
Programme Crafts and games, companionship, communication group and bowls
Suitable for People who are lonely, disabled, elderly, restricted in their mobility, don't usually get
out, would like companionship and support
Hours 10am to 2pm, school term only
Meals Morning tea and light lunch
Transport Volunteer drivers if available, no charge
Location/s Birkenhead, Eden / Epsom, Milford, Remuera, Waiheke

CMA - North Shore Centres for Mutual Aid


Contact Lynne Anderson 489 8954
Email cma.ns@xtra.co.nz
Fees $10 membership per year
Programme Arts and crafts,sit dancing, games, intellectual games, entertainment and outings
Suitable for Senior persons
Hours Office hours 9am to 1pm. Centre hours 10am to 12.30pm - primary school term only
Meals Morning tea and light lunch, small charge
Transport Some volunteer drivers
Location/s 6 Centres North Shore and Rodney

Communicare
Contact Margaret Oldfield 631 5968
Email margaret.communicare@xtra.co.nz
Fees $15 membership per year, plus $4 per session
Programme Arts and crafts, sit dancing, board games, cards, trading tables, bowls
Suitable for People who are lonely, disabled, elderly, restricted in their mobility, don't usually get
out, would like companionship and support
Hours 9.30am to 1pm, school term only
Meals Morning tea and light lunch
Transport If required
Location/s 23 centres

Wednesday, 2 September 2009 Page 3 of 9


Day Spring Trust Care Centre
Contact Jane Bruce 827 6321
Email janedayspring@xtra.co.nz
Fees No fees, koha / donation
Programme Drop in centre - care and conversation. Crafts, support group, guest speakers,
musical entertainment, games
Suitable for Older people, early stages of dementia, must be fairly independent or come with a
caregiver
Hours Wednesday 10am to 12 noon
Meals Shared lunch, gold coin donation
Transport Free, can only take 9 people in the van
Location/s New Lynn

Selwyn Foundation
Contact Sally Naulls 298 3435 / 027 338 8514
Email geoff@naullsconsulting.co.nz
Fees $2-$3 includes morning tea, $4-5 for lunch
Programme Six week rotation of activity programme, gentle exercise, mental stimulation.
Suitable for Retired, fairly independent, alert and motivated people. Wheelchair users. Mild
dementia
Hours 9.30am to 12.30pm. Open during school holidays, closed 2-3 weeks over Christmas
Meals Morning tea, hot meal or BYO
Transport Donation. Volunteers use own cars, local area only, some have own van
Location/s Blockhouse Bay, Birkdale / Beachhaven, Glendon, Flat Bush,Henderson, Howick,
Manurewa, Maraetai, Massey, Milford, Papakura, Papatoetoe, Pukekohe, Swanson,
Tuakau, Waiuku

Exercise programmes
Green Prescription
Contact Kay Lindley 837 8820
Email kay@healthwest.co.nz Website www.healthwest.co.nz
Fees Gold coin donation
Programme Wednesdays from 10.45am. Easy group exercise, dietary / healthy eating advice,
health and fitness checks. For people on Green Prescription programme only.
HealthWest (PHO) run several programmes
Location/s Massey

Wednesday, 2 September 2009 Page 4 of 9


Never2old exercise programme
Contact Programme Manager 921 9999 ext 7706
Email john.rice@aut.ac.nz Website www.never2old.net.nz
Fees Small fee for exercise programmes ($4-6) and other events
Programme Resistance training, balance and cardiovascular exercise, seminars, special events,
outdoor challenges
Location/s Auckland Central, Devonport, Ellerslie, Forrest Hill, Ellerslie, Glen Innes, Howick,
Massey, Mt Albert, Mt Roskill, Northcote, Onehunga, Otahuhu, Papatoetoe,
Whangaparaoa
See website for contact numbers

Sit Fit Exercise Classes


Contact Shirley Waterfield 817 7228
Email n/a Website n/a
Fees $4-$5
Programme Seated exercises for women with moderate to limited mobility on Tuesday 1pm.
"Women on the Move" - all ages, level 2 Aerobic exercises to music on Wednesday at
9.10am
Location/s New Lynn

Tai Chi (modified)


Contact ACC — Injury Prevention 0800 844 657
Email n/a Website www.acc.co.nz (Search for "tai chi")
Fees Gold coin donation
Programme Tai Chi is a series of gentle, fluid movements that are good for mobility and flexibility.
The modified Tai Chi classes focus on exercises to improve lower body strength and
balance and help prevent falls
Location/s Auckland-wide

The ChiBall Method


Contact Shirley Ruttley 524 2908
Email shirley.michael@xtra.co.nz Website n/a
Fees $5 per class
Programme Tai Chi, ChiKung, ChiBall Dance,Yoga, Pilates, Fekldenkrais and deep relaxation
Location/s Onehunga Community Centre
Monday and Wednesday 10am to 11.30am

Wednesday, 2 September 2009 Page 5 of 9


Other Activities
Chinese Kiwi Friendship Project
Contact Jill Nerheny 486 8400 ext 8854 (wk)
0274 834 511
Email bntrust@xtra.co.nz Website n/a
Fees Gold coin donation
Programme English group, simple tai chi, information sharing
Suitable for Chinese speaking people
Hours Thursdays, 9.30 am to 12 noon
Location/s Northcote

Coffee and Chat Group


Contact Wynn Dalzell 521 1411
Email n/a Website n/a
Fees $2 per meeting, outings extra cost
Programme Coffee and chat, occasional BBQ's and bus trips to places of interest
Suitable for Older people interested in company and outings
Hours Fortnightly on Thursday - 10am to 12 noon
Location/s Parnell

Dunn's Senior Citizen's Touring Club


Contact Wynn Dunn 575 7388
Email n/a Website n/a
Fees $5 annual membership. Trips usually cost $25. Often eat at RSA or BYO lunch. $2 for
entertainment and afternoon tea
Programme Wednesday - entertainment, speakers, trading table, raffles and singing.
Friday - monthly trips to places of interest around Greater Auckland
Suitable for People who use walking frames, fairly active and mobile
Hours Every second Wednesday of the month at 2pm, bus trip last Friday of month at
9.30am
Location/s 81 Symonds St, Royal Oak

Edwards Travel Club


Contact Lorraine or Kathy (09) 236 8166
Email epsl@xtra.co.nz Website n/a
Fees No joining fee. Fees vary according to activity
Programme Quarterly newsletter advertising trips
Suitable for 50 years and older, independent and mobile people
Hours Day trips, tours and overnight stays
Location/s Bombay, Papakura, Tuakau, Waiuku

Wednesday, 2 September 2009 Page 6 of 9


Shanti Niwas Charitable Trust Inc
Contact Indu Bajaj 622 1010
Nilima Venkat 021 202 8406
Email shantiniwas@xtra.co.nz Website www.shantiniwas.org.nz
Fees Free membership. Small donation towards meal and transport
Programme Cultural, creative, educational, social and physical activities, entertainment, outings,
festival celebrations and Positive Ageing Day. Programme runs twice weekly at Mt
Roskill and once a week at Manukau. Special programme for disabled people every
Thursday at Mt Roskill, run in collaboration with Stroke Foundation
Suitable for Older people of Asia and South Asia who are lonely, isolated, or have health difficulties
Hours 10am to 2.30pm
Location/s Manukau, Mt Roskill
Culturally appropriate advocacy, counselling, interpreting and help to access publicly
funded services. Accredited visiting services in partnership with Age Concern.
Transport available on request.

Sixties Up Movement
Contact Rosalie Wright 444 5816
Email rosaliewright@clear.net.nz Website www.60supmovement.org.nz
Fees $10 per year, plus local and activities fee
Programme Varied programme includes; bowls, games, mah Jong, cards, crafts, trips, BBQ's,
lunches out, petanque and monthly newsletter
Suitable for Active older people who enjoy social contact
Hours Times depend on activity and location
Location/s Auckland-wide

Te Atatu Christian Care Centre


Contact Joyce Francis 832 2789
Joan Davis 833 5727
Email n/a Website n/a
Fees $4 donation to help with food and transport
Programme Bible study, games, craft, speakers, outings and trading table
Suitable for People interested in social activity and companionship
Hours Tuesdays 9.30am to 1pm
Location/s Te Atatu Baptist church
Transport provided by care centre vans and volunteer drivers

Wednesday, 2 September 2009 Page 7 of 9


Special Interest Groups
Age Concern
Contact Auckland Central and West 820 0184
Counties Manukau 279 4331
North Shore 489 4975
Rodney 09 426 0916
Website www.ageconcern.org.nz
Fees A small annual subscription
Programme Branches offer different activities e.g. falls prevention programmes,
mature drivers' courses and social activities. Members receive a
regular newsletter

Auckland Central Model Railway Club


Contact Barry Palmer 636 6343
Website n/a
Fees Annual subscription for seniors $55
Programme Persons can come along and run their own or the clubs model
trains. Clubs main meeting night is Thursday 7.30pm, at Vic Cowan
Park, 174 Penrose Rd, Mt Wellington

Model Flying NZ
Contact Ken Buckley 625 4311
Website www.modelflyingnz.org
Fees Annual subscription $55, local clubs have small fee
Programme 12 clubs in Auckland. Contact local clubs for times and activities
Magazine 5 x per year

Probus Clubs
Contact Probus Centre - South Pacific 0800 147 762
Website www.probus.com.au
Fees A small membership fee applies
Programme For retired professional and business people. Meetings, speakers
and outings. Men's, women's and mixed clubs. Groups usually meet
once a month

Returned Services Association


Contact Your local branch 04 384 7994
Website www.rsa.org.nz
Fees Annual membership fee applies
Programme These clubs provide social activities, advice and assistance to
returned service personnel and their families
Branches listed in the white pages and on the RSA website

Wednesday, 2 September 2009 Page 8 of 9


--
SeniorNet
Contact SeniorNet 0800 736 467
Website www.seniornet.org.nz
Fees Annual membership fee, small fee for each course
Programme Range of computer courses for people 55+ years, learn word-
processing and how to use the internet

Stroke Foundation
Contact Auckland Stroke Centre 441 8959
Website www.stroke.org.nz
Fees Small donation, plus $30 annual membership
Programme Mutual support, exercise to music, table games, crafts, organised
outings
21 Stroke Clubs. Meetings usually in the mornings, time depends on
individual group

TOA Pacific Inc


Contact Malia Hamani 276 4596
Molly Pihigia 276 4596
Website www.toapacific.org.nz
Fees n/a
Programme For Pacific older people. Have information on a number of support
and activity groups who meet throughout Auckland. Pacific Elder
Abuse and Neglect Prevention Programme

U3A - Universities of the Third Age


Contact Citizens Advice Bureau 0800 367 222
Website www.u3aonline.org.au/
Fees A small annual subscription
Programme U3A provides intellectual stimulus to older people by offering group
and individual study on topics of interest. For people not able to
access a local group, there is an on-line option where groups in NZ
and Australia share ideas, resources and information
Study groups generally meet monthly. To locate group close to you,
go to the website and click on 'Locate a U3A' tab or contact your
local CAB

Wednesday, 2 September 2009 Page 9 of 9

You might also like