Welcome to our April newsletter.
The Covid-19 pandemic is changing the way we live our lives in New Zealand. We are adopting social distancing despite normally greeting each other with handshakes, hugs and hongi. Ageing Well has developed a Covid-19 response plan that is consistent with
Ministry of Health guidelines. The health and wellbeing of older New Zealanders remains our priority. We have encouraged all of our research teams to review their plans, if required and implement changes, which ensure they are consistent with best practice as outlined by the Ministry of Health. If appropriate, we also encourage our research teams to stay connected with, and support, their participants/kaumatua.
Significant news from the Ageing Well whānau is the resignation of our Director Professor Debra Waters. Debra has resigned from the Director’s role to undertake exciting
research opportunities. Debra has held several leadership roles since Ageing Well began, and we will miss her gerontology expertise and experience working with our stakeholders – ngā mihi ki a koe.
It is with pleasure that I confirm Assoc Professor Louise Parr-Brownlie as Director, and welcome Professor Dave Baxter back into the Directorate as Co-Director.
I wish to also acknowledge the resignation of Associate Professor Elana Curtis from the Ageing Well Strategic Advisory Group. We thank Elana for her strategic insight and hope that she is enjoying her sabbatical.
Ageing Well has allocated the majority of our Phase 2 funds. Consequently, our workflow has matured. We are considering how we can amplify the impact of research findings. An early step of this new workflow was launching our upgraded website.
Finally, I take this opportunity to extend my warmest wishes to you all for a peaceful and relaxing Easter.
Stay safe, be kind and look after your whānau, friends and colleagues.
Ngā mihi,
Dr Dianne C McCarthy
Chair, Ageing Well Governance Group
