As New Zealand’s population ages and the cost of living rises, older workers are increasingly staying in the workforce beyond traditional retirement age. Yet despite this shift, age bias in hiring remains a pressing concern. According to a recent survey, 89% of Kiwis believe their employers would hesitate to hire someone over 65.
To unpack the realities facing the ageing workforce, Ian Fraser, Director and Founder of Seniors@Work, joined Mahi Matters to share insights from both personal experience and the wider job market.
"The ageing workforce is here to stay."
Fraser founded Seniors@Work after struggling to find employment in his late fifties. Despite extensive management experience, he received just three interviews from more than 75 applications. This experience inspired him to create a platform dedicated to job seekers aged 50 and above.
Today, Seniors@Work connects older Kiwis with employers who value their experience, while advocating for age-inclusive hiring practices. Fraser notes that older workers still face significant challenges, particularly during economic downturns. "Employers are recruiting less, and age bias, while reduced, still exists," he says.
Common misconceptions persist, from assumptions that older workers lack tech skills to beliefs that they are less productive or more expensive. Fraser refutes these as myths, emphasising that many over-50s are tech-savvy, reliable, and bring stability to the workplace. "There may be skill gaps, but they are fixable. Many baby boomers have adapted through decades of tech evolution."
There are also strong business cases for hiring seniors. Older workers often have lower absenteeism, high retention, and valuable institutional knowledge. Flexible work arrangements can further support transitions into part-time or project roles, helping employers retain talent while offering work-life balance.
To promote age-friendly workplaces, Fraser is involved in a forthcoming pledge led by the Office for Seniors and the Ministry of Social Development. The initiative encourages employers to adopt policies that support hiring, retaining, and developing staff over 50.
Fraser advises job seekers to be prepared, modernise their CVs, and tailor applications. Seniors@Work offers resources including a Work Readiness Info Pack and updated templates. For those struggling with outdated CVs, Fraser even recommends using tools like ChatGPT to modernise and reformat documents.
While financial necessity is a key driver, many older workers continue employment for fulfilment and social connection. In fact, the percentage of 64–69-year-olds still working has risen from 18% in 2000 to 44% in 2024, a 500% increase.
Fraser concludes, "Age diversity brings resilience and depth to teams. We need to move beyond bias and embrace the value older workers bring."
For job seekers and employers alike, the future of work in Aotearoa must include space for those too young to retire, and far too valuable to overlook.
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