New Aged Care Advisory Group Appointed to Reform NZ's Sustainable Care System

Associate Health Minister Casey Costello has appointed a 10-member Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group, chaired by former Health Minister David Cunliffe, to provide expert advice on reforming New Zealand's aged care system, focusing on funding models, cost-sharing, and regulatory improvements. The group aims to develop recommendations by mid-2026 to create a sustainable, accessible, and integrated aged care system that addresses current outdated models and supports innovation. This initiative reflects the government's bipartisan commitment to ensuring the aged care system meets the needs of the growing elderly population, with government spending exceeding $2.5 billion annually and significant private contributions.