Sep-Oct 2016 Issue | Business View Oceania

85 After all, the influential NZACA is huge- ly important in all the policies and ne- gotiations that affect its sector. For in- stance, the New Zealand government recently launched a new initiative that aims to refresh the national health strategy. Si- mon him- self is a member of the expert a d v i s o r y panel that’s ref reshing the health strategy of older people. Through that, he provides “an industry and sector perspective to these developments” as the association does for other poli- cies as well. On top of that, the association is heav- ily involved in the review of the provi- sion of palliative care in New Zealand as the number of such patients has in- creased significantly. Due to the com- plexities involved in residential care, the association needs to inform the government of the sector’s intricacies on a frequent basis. As Simon says it, this is a hugely important part of their work, the active interaction between the association and the government bodies responsible for the formation and application of new policies. Aspiring for a better tomorrow Looking into the future, the associa- tion’s goals are clear. Throughout its history, NZACA has worked to gain recognition for the importance of the sector, especially seeing that the aged population is steadily increasing over the years. Of course, policy issues like the Equal Pay Case are also hugely im- portant for the associ- ation. “Recogni- tion by gov- ernment of the value of the aged care sector and the workforce, particu- larly in terms of the Equal Pay Case. Sealing that case would be a great start. Looking at a long-term sustaina- ble model at the time where the aging population is increasing. I’ll be happy if we can achieve those”, comments Simon. The association’s workload looks to beasheavyasever in thecomingyears. Changes in the sector, influenced by technology and official policies, pro- vide a constant need to stay updated and involved. As they are heavily in- volved in every part of the sector and passionate about their work, the team of the association is always highlight- ing the importance of the industry for New Zealand as a whole. Judging by their previous efforts, it’s safe to say that the association’s members will at least have a strong, influential voice guiding them and the government to- wards a better future for everyone in- volve.