What we do
We have been carrying out research to understand the status and determinants of health and wellbeing for older Aotearoa New Zealand adults since 2006.
Our research projects relate to health and ageing in Aotearoa and use quantitative and qualitative methodologies.
New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement Study
The New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement Study (HWR) is our flagship project. This longitudinal study includes:
- a quantitative survey of older Aotearoa residents every two years
- qualitative interviews
- face-to-face cognitive interviews.
It has also been known in previous phases as the:
- New Zealand Longitudinal Study of Ageing (NZSLA)
- Independence Contribution Connection (ICC) study.
We use data from this study and others to explore a wide range of issues and research questions around the health and wellbeing of older people in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Learn more about the New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement Study
Current research interests
Explore a selection of the Health and Ageing Research Team's current research interests.
Work and care
Looking at experiences of older people juggling work and care responsibilities to understand influences at the:
- individual
- organisational
- policy levels.
Entrepreneurship
What are the experiences and barriers to entrepreneurship among older people and kaumātua?
Older worker experiences
Understanding factors impacting workforce participation over time by studying health, social, demographic and work-related experiences and beliefs.
Business and employers
What are the barriers to employment for older workers? And what is best practice for maintaining and enhancing their reputation?
Pandemic response and recovery
Designing a framework for key organisations to develop pandemic responses that are sensitive to the strengths and needs of older adults.
Projects and grants
Explore recent funded projects by the Health and Ageing Research Team.
Pandemic response and recovery framework
- Years: 2021-2022 (24 months)
- Funder: Health Research Council of New Zealand
- Funds: $996,615
- The Team: Professor Christine Stephens, Professor Fiona Alpass, Mr Brendan Stevenson, Dr Joanne Allen, Dr Polly Yeung, Associate Professor Siautu Alefiao-Tuiga, Associate Professor Mary Breheny, Professor David Johnston, Dr Maureen Mooney, Associate Professor Natasha Tassell-Matamua
Older workers
- Years: 2017-2022
- Funder: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
- Funds: $3,996,875
- The Team: Professor Christine Stephens, Professor Fiona Alpass, Dr Mary Breheny, Dr Andy Towers, Dr Mika Jason, Mr Brendan Stevenson, Dr Joanne Allen
Ageing, housing and health
- Years: 2016-2017
- Funder: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
- Funds: $141,727
- The Team: Professor Christine Stephens, Professor Vanessa Burholt (Swansea University), Professor Judith Phillips (Swansea University), Professor Norah Keating (University of Alberta), Associate Professor Sarah Hillcoat Nalletamby (Swansea University)
Enabling participation by all older people
- Years: 2014-2018
- Funder: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
- Funds: $1,800,000
- The Team: Professor Christine Stephens, Professor Fiona Alpass, Dr Sally Keeling (Otago University), Dr Mary Breheny and Mr Brendan Stevenson
Impact of Christchurch earthquakes
- Years: 2014
- Funder: EQC Biennial Grants Programme
- Funds: $27,000
- The Team: Brendan Stevenson, Fiona Alpass, Christine Stephens (Massey University) and Sally Keeling (Otago University)
Participation of older adults
- Years: 2012-2013
- Funder: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
- Funds: $688,423
- The Team: Professor Christine Stephens, Professor Fiona Alpass, Mr Brendan Stevenson, Ms Vicki Beagley, and Dr Sally Keeling (University of Otago)
The New Zealand longitudinal study of ageing (NZLSA)
- Years: 2007-2013
- Funder: The New Zealand Foundation for Research, Science, & Technology
- Funds: $3,750,000
- The Team: Professor Fiona Alpass, Professor Christine Stephens, Mr Charles Waldegrave and Dr Peter King (Social Policy Research Centre, Family Centre), Dr Sally Keeling (University of Otago)
Living standards index for elders
- Years: 2009-2012
- Funder: The New Zealand Foundation for Research, Science, & Technology
- Funds: $1,050,500
- The Team: Dr Mary Breheny, Professor Christine Stephens, Professor Fiona Alpass, Mr Brendan Stevenson, Ms Vicki Beagley and Dr Kristie Carter (University of Otago)
Health, work and retirement (HWR)
- Years: 2005-2008
- Funder: The Health Research Council of New Zealand
- Funds: $922,375
- The Team: Professor Fiona Alpass, Professor Christine Stephens, Ms Helen Pennington, Mr Eljon Fitzgerald, Mr Brendan Stevenson, Dr Judith Davey
Outputs and publications
We regularly publish findings from our studies in international scientific journals.
Our people
The Hart team
From left to right: Associate Professor Andy Towers, Professor Fiona Alpass, Ms Hannah Phillips, Professor Christine Stephens, Ms Vicki Beagley, Dr Rosie Gibson, Associate Professor Susanne Rohr, Associate Professor Polly Yeung, Dr Brendan Stevenson.
Our award-winning Health and Ageing Research Team includes researchers from Massey's:
- School of Psychology
- School of Public Health
- School of Social Work and
- School of People, Environment and Planning.
The team includes:
- senior researchers
- emerging researchers
- postgraduate doctoral, master's and honours students working on projects in ageing research supervised by HART staff.
Dr Joanne Allen
Professor Juliana Mansvelt
Hannah Phillips-Wood
Associate Professor Susanne Roehr
Professor Christine Stephens
Associate Professor Joanne Taylor
Associate Professor Polly Yeung
Collaborations
The Health and Ageing Research Team collaborates with academics and institutions all over the world.