Welcome to Lifestyle

Retirement in New Zealand is evolving as people live longer, healthier lives, and the number of Kiwis who choose to continue working later in life is rising. 

Retirement is your time to do what you love. Maybe for you this doesn't mean stopping work altogether; instead, it can mean shifting gears to something more fulfilling or pursuing passions that you now have time for. This might mean volunteering, part-time work, or even starting your own business. 

Here’s some helpful advice from Ryman residents in the workforce.  

Find your fun  

Retirement could be the perfect time to pursue paid or volunteer work that aligns with your interests and passions. It doesn’t have to be what you’ve always done – this could be the time to start something completely new.  

Carol Moffatt, who retired after a successful career in education to pursue her dream of becoming a professional artist, has done just that. She’s even transformed the garage in her townhouse at Ryman Northwood Retirement Village into a fully equipped studio where she spends her days creating works of art for galleries and art shows. 

Flexibility to suit you

Roger, a resident at Ryman Northwood Retirement Village, works part-time as an Uber driver and finds the flexibility suits his lifestyle perfectly.  

"My advice is to find something flexible and enjoyable. Look for opportunities that offer a good balance of activity and leisure," he says. 

If Uber driving is not your thing, there are plenty of other part-time opportunities out there, such as retail or hospitality, which offers social interaction and flexible hours. Tutoring students or teaching classes could also be an option. First Tutors NZ is a great platform for connecting tutors with students.  

An area where older workers are often in demand is seasonal jobs such as fruit picking. Many travelers do this type of work regularly to supplement their income and meet new people while they are on the road. Plus, it’s an opportunity to work in some of the most beautiful places in New Zealand. Orchards and farms offer jobs to suit all ages, so you don’t need to be up a ladder unless you want to be. 

Volunteer for a worthy cause 

Marlene, a resident at Ryman's Diana Isaac Retirement Village, loves meeting new people and helping others, so volunteering as an Airport Ambassador at Christchurch Airport is the perfect fit for her.  

She says, “There’s a lot of work out there, including voluntary work. When I first got my job as an airport ambassador, I just saw an ad in the paper and decided to apply." 

Volunteer work offers many benefits, including social interaction, fulfillment, a sense of purpose, and the opportunity to learn new skills. There are many local nonprofits, schools, hospitals, or community centers looking for people with skills and experience. 

If you’re not sure where to start, websites like Volunteering New Zealand and Seek Volunteer list a wide range of volunteer opportunities across the country. 

Brush up on new skills 

James Wattie Retirement Village resident Deirdre, who teaches part time at a local kindergarten, highlights the importance of staying adaptable and open to new challenges.  

“Believe in yourself and have the confidence to accept and face new challenges going forward every day. Coping with change is a big thing that helps. It creates more opportunities for you," she says.  

Keeping up with current trends and brushing up on technology skills can significantly increase your job options. Consider taking online courses to improve your computer literacy, keep your current skills up to date, or learn something new.  

Websites like Stepping Up and SeniorNet have resources to help people become more tech-savvy and  The University of the Third Age (U3A) offers courses and discussion groups on a wide range of topics. Additionally, Open Polytechnic provides many distance learning options to help gain qualifications or update your existing skills. 

Use job search resources 

Many people find jobs through word of mouth. Does anyone in your network of friends and acquaintances work in a field that interests you? It’s always worth reaching out to let people know that you are interested in finding work as sometimes opportunities are available that are not advertised publicly.  

This is exactly what Diana Isaac Retirement Village resident Dave did when he realised that he wasn't ready to retire. Now he works at a local outdoor shop four days a week selling fishing gear, which he loves.  

“Finding work later in life is all about being proactive. It doesn’t matter how old you are - if there's something you want to do, go out and ask for it. Think about what you enjoy doing, find people involved in that area, and approach them. The opportunities are there, you’ve just got to put yourself forward for them,” Dave says.  

Job search platforms can also help you find job vacancies that are suitable for retirees. For example, Seniors@Work is a New Zealand job board specifically for older workers which offers a range of job listings across various industries. 

Another option is to look on Seek, one of New Zealand’s largest job search websites, or contact a recruitment agency. Most recruitment agencies are free for job seekers as they are paid by the employer when they place someone in a job. 

Want to know more? Click here to read more about Dave, Marlene, Deirdre and Roger.