The Retirement Commissioner in New Zealand is a government-appointed position as part of Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission. The role is responsible for advocating for the interests of older people in relation to retirement income policies (such as New Zealand’s NZ Super pension scheme), services and products. The current Retirement Commissioner is Jane Wrightson.
Specifically, the Retirement Commissioner has a statutory role in promoting the financial literacy and wellbeing of New Zealanders, including those who are approaching or are in retirement. The Commissioner provides advice and education on topics such as savings, investments, and retirement planning, which can be helpful for those considering moving into a retirement village.
The Retirement Commissioner's office has also collaborated with other government agencies to develop a Code of Practice for Retirement Villages, which sets out a range of standards and guidelines for the operation of retirement villages in New Zealand. Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission works with retirement village operators, residents, and advocacy groups to ensure that the Code of Practice is being adhered to, and to identify areas for improvement.
While retirement villages are not directly under the purview of the Retirement Commissioner office, they do play a role in advocating for the rights and wellbeing of older people who live in retirement villages.
Read more about the role of the Retirement Commissioner and Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission on its website.
Updated: 20 Jul 2023