Beginning on an age-friendly journey: Barriers to implementing age-friendly initiatives

Objective: To explore the barriers to communities in New Zealand developing age-friendly initiatives.

Methods: A qualitative participatory approach underpinned this study. Semi-structured digitally recorded individual interviews were undertaken with 24 government officials, local government steering group members and community representatives from an urban city, provincial city and a rural district. A general inductive data analytic process was undertaken. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) guidelines were followed to ensure rigour in this study.

Results: (a) Being at the beginning, (b) Minimal diversity and (c) Problems getting started were three key issues identified.

Conclusions: New Zealand is in the early stages of becoming age-friendly. Findings from this study provide a place-based New Zealand perspective and have influenced central government social policy and practice development, culminating in resources supporting local government and communities to successfully implement age-friendly initiatives.