# Findings Report: Prompt 1 — Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group **Date:** 7 June 2026, 15:00 **Prompt:** #1 — Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group **Category:** Policy Monitor **Status:** ✅ DONE --- ## Executive Summary The Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group was appointed on 17 December 2025, began work on 12 January 2026, and is expected to report back **by mid-2026** (deadline per Terms of Reference: 31 May 2026). As of 7 June 2026, the report has **not yet been publicly released** — the Ministry of Health page was last updated 4 June 2026 and still says "expected to report back with recommendations by the middle of 2026." No Beehive release announcing delivery or publication of the report has been found. The report may have been delivered to ministers and is under consideration, or is slightly delayed. --- ## Search Strategy 1. `"Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group" site:beehive.govt.nz OR site:healthnz.govt.nz` 2. `"Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group" New Zealand 2025 2026` 3. `"Ministerial Advisory Group" aged care New Zealand members terms of reference` 4. `"Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group" report OR update OR recommendations 2026` 5. `"Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group" report delivered June 2026 recommendations` 6. `site:beehive.govt.nz aged care June 2026` 7. `"Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group" David Cunliffe report June 2026` 8. Follow-up extraction of key pages (Beehive, Ministry of Health, sector responses, Cabinet materials) --- ## Key Findings ### 1. Group Appointment & Composition (Dec 2025) - **Announced:** 17 December 2025 by Associate Health Minister Casey Costello - **Chair:** Hon David Cunliffe (former Minister of Health, current chair of Selwyn Foundation) - **Members (10 total):** Brien Cree, Shelley Cunningham, Suzanne Dvorak (CEO Oceania), Dr Richard Lowe, Murray Penman, Mike Peters, Max Robins, Allan Sargeant (CEO Ambridge Rose), Helen Watson - **Term:** 12 January 2026 – mid-2026 (one-year term set for flexibility) - **Secretariat:** Ministry of Health - **Source:** [Beehive.govt.nz](https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/aged-care-advisory-group-appointed) (accessed 7 June 2026) ### 2. Scope — Three Key Reform Areas The Group was tasked with providing an independent report and recommendations on: 1. **Funding model** — sustainable services and supply of standard aged care beds 2. **Cost sharing** — how costs could be reasonably shared between care recipients and Government 3. **Contracting & regulatory settings** — remove red tape, support cost-effective delivery, foster innovation, improve integration with health services and Disability Support Services **Source:** [Ministry of Health — Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group page](https://www.health.govt.nz/about-us/new-zealands-health-system/health-system-roles-and-organisations/health-committees-and-boards/aged-care-ministerial-advisory-group) (last updated 4 June 2026, accessed 7 June 2026) ### 3. Timeline & Report Status - **Group begins work:** 12 January 2026 - **Final report deadline (per ToR):** 31 May 2026 - **Public status as of 7 June 2026:** Report NOT yet publicly released - **MoH page (updated 4 June 2026):** Still says "expected to report back with recommendations by the middle of 2026" - **No Beehive release** announcing the report's delivery or publication has been found - **Next step per MoH:** "Ministers will consider recommendations; any progression expected to involve sector engagement" **Source:** [Terms of Reference PDF](https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/2025-12/aged-care-ministerial-advisory-group-terms-of-reference-december-2025.pdf) (downloaded 7 June 2026); [MoH page](https://www.health.govt.nz/about-us/new-zealands-health-system/health-system-roles-and-organisations/health-committees-and-boards/aged-care-ministerial-advisory-group) (accessed 7 June 2026) ### 4. Background Policy Context | Item | Detail | | ------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | | Annual aged care users | ~115,000 older New Zealanders | | Home/community support users | ~2/3 of all aged care users | | Government spending (annual) | >$2.5 billion | | Individual contributions (FY26) | Est. $1.38 billion | | Service providers | Charities, private businesses, listed companies | | Bipartisan commitment | National–NZ First Coalition Agreement | **Source:** [Beehive — Aged Care Advisory Group appointed](https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/aged-care-advisory-group-appointed) (accessed 7 June 2026) ### 5. Cabinet Decision (Oct 2025) — Preceded the Group - **"Building fit-for-purpose Aged Care"** — 28 October 2025: Government agreed to integrated reform approach - Established the Ministerial Advisory Group - Increased total funding to sector by **$270 million over 2 years** while reform proceeds - Funding model changes to be **implemented in 2027** - **Source:** [Beehive.govt.nz](https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/building-fit-purpose-aged-care) (accessed 7 June 2026) ### 6. Related Cabinet Material Released (Oct 2025) Proactively released Cabinet papers on "Establishing a Work Programme to Improve Health Outcomes for Older People" including: - Cabinet paper (withheld in part under OIA) - Minutes of Cabinet Social Outcomes Committee - Several Ministry briefings and aide memoires (2024–2025) **Source:** [MoH information release](https://www.health.govt.nz/information-releases/cabinet-material-establishing-a-work-programme-improving-health-outcomes-for-older-people) (accessed 7 June 2026) ### 7. Linkage to Health Committee Inquiry (March 2026) - The **Health Committee inquiry** into aged care capacity for neurological cognitive disorders reported with **14 recommendations**. - Government tabled its response **10 March 2026**: **notes all recommendations**, will consider through the Advisory Group and wider work programme. - The inquiry received **100+ submissions**, visited multiple aged care facilities. - **Source:** [Beehive.govt.nz](https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/health-committee-inquiry-will-help-inform-aged-care-service-improvements) (accessed 7 June 2026) ### 8. Sector Submissions to the Advisory Group | Organisation | Date | Nature | Link | | ----------------------------------------------------------- | ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **RNZCGP** (Royal NZ College of GPs) | 27 Mar 2026 | Formal submission on aged care settings, funding, and workforce | [PDF](https://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/documents/746/2026.03.27_-_Aged_Care_Ministerial_Advisory_Group.pdf) | | **ANZSGM** (Australian & NZ Society for Geriatric Medicine) | 27 Mar 2026 | Submission with recommendations on aged care system changes | [PDF](https://anzsgm.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026_03_02_Sub_NZ-Health_FINAL.pdf) | | **HCHA** (Home and Community Health Association) | Dec 2025 | Welcomed appointments to the Group | [Source](https://www.hcha.org.nz/news/home-and-community-health-welcomes-appointments-to-aged-care-ministerial-advisory-group) | | **Aged Care Association** | Dec 2025 | Responded with support for reform, urged practical support for families/carers | [NZ Doctor](https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/article/undoctored/aged-care-association-response-announcement-aged-care-ministerial-advisory-group) | | **Ambridge Rose** (Allan Sargeant, member) | Dec 2025 | CEO joined as advisor; expressed commitment to sustainable solutions | [Source](https://www.ambridgerose.co.nz/ambridge-rose-ceo-joins-government-aged-care-advisory-group/) | | **Waatea News** | Feb 2026 | Reported on the Group — calls for equity, dignity, and Māori voice | [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/waateanews/posts/aged-care-ministerial-advisory-group-calls-for-equity-dignity-and-m%C4%81ori-voice/1502000605259985/) | ### 9. Aged Care Association Push (March 2026) - CEO Tracey Martin (former Minister for Seniors) was vocal: "Behind every delayed reform is a daughter reducing her work hours, a spouse managing complex care alone." - Called for **immediate practical support** — clearer pathways, available beds, meaningful respite - Noted families are becoming the "default providers of care" when services are stretched - **Source:** [Scoop — ACA press release 11 Mar 2026](https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE2603/S00038/government-acknowledges-aged-care-pressures-but-families-and-carers-still-carrying-the-load.htm) (accessed 7 June 2026) ### 10. Casey Costello Parliamentary Statements - In a parliamentary speech, Costello noted the Group "has been tasked with reporting back by June 2026" - Signalled the Group's recommendations will be bipartisan, intended to "inform any future Government's policy and funding decisions" - **Source:** [Facebook video — Casey Costello NZ First](https://www.facebook.com/caseycostellonzfirst/videos/casey-costello-supporting-people-to-age-in-the-right-place-is-better-for-their-q/2229630861113316/) (accessed 7 June 2026) --- ## Analysis ### Significance The Advisory Group is the **most consequential aged care policy process** in a decade. Its recommendations — particularly on funding model and cost sharing — will directly affect: - **Providers:** funding rates, contracting arrangements, regulatory burden - **Older people:** access to care, costs, choice of care setting - **Families:** financial exposure to care costs - **Government Budget:** long-term fiscal sustainability of aged care ### Timing - Report deadline (31 May 2026) has passed but report is **not yet public** - Likely submitted to ministers and **under Cabinet consideration** - Given 2026 election year, release timing may be politically sensitive - Implementation is planned for **2027** regardless of which party wins the election ### Political Context - Bipartisan approach per NZ First–National coalition agreement - Both major parties have signed on to the reform direction - The 2027 implementation timeline means any future government inherits the process ### Key Personnel - **David Cunliffe** (Chair) — former Labour Minister of Health; cross-party credibility - **Suzanne Dvorak** — CEO of Oceania Healthcare; provider perspective - **Allan Sargeant** — CEO of Ambridge Rose; small provider perspective - **Tracey Martin** (ACA CE) — former NZ First Minister for Seniors; key sector advocate watching the process --- ## KB Action ### Files to Create/Update 1. ✅ **Downloaded:** `05_Funding_and_Subsidies/2025-12 - MoH - Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group Terms of Reference.pdf` - Source: https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/2025-12/aged-care-ministerial-advisory-group-terms-of-reference-december-2025.pdf 2. **Update tracker:** `16 Political & Campaign Intelligence/07_Bills_Hansard_Votes_and_Questions/2026 Tracker - Aged Care Funding and Residential Care.md` - Add detailed information about Advisory Group composition, scope, timeline, submissions received, and current status - Update the existing row on the Advisory Group (currently row 52) 3. **Create issue brief:** Consider creating `2026 Issue Brief - Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group Recommendations.md` in `16 Political & Campaign Intelligence/11_Issue_Briefs_for_Campaigning/` once the report is publicly released — currently premature ### Recommendations for Next Run - **Prompt 2 (Health Committee Report Impact):** Check implementation of the 14 recommendations — highly complementary to this prompt - **Return to Prompt 1 follow-up:** After the Advisory Group report is released, create a full Source Brief and update all related trackers --- ## Source URLs (All Accessed 7 June 2026) | # | Source | URL | | --- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1 | Beehive — Advisory Group Appointed | https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/aged-care-advisory-group-appointed | | 2 | MoH — Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group | https://www.health.govt.nz/about-us/new-zealands-health-system/health-system-roles-and-organisations/health-committees-and-boards/aged-care-ministerial-advisory-group | | 3 | MoH — Terms of Reference PDF | https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/2025-12/aged-care-ministerial-advisory-group-terms-of-reference-december-2025.pdf | | 4 | Beehive — Building fit-for-purpose Aged Care (28 Oct 2025) | https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/building-fit-purpose-aged-care | | 5 | Beehive — Health Committee inquiry response (10 Mar 2026) | https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/health-committee-inquiry-will-help-inform-aged-care-service-improvements | | 6 | MoH — Cabinet Material Release | https://www.health.govt.nz/information-releases/cabinet-material-establishing-a-work-programme-improving-health-outcomes-for-older-people | | 7 | RNZCGP — Submission to Advisory Group | https://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/resources/submissions/aged-care-ministerial-advisory-group/ | | 8 | ANZSGM — Submission to Advisory Group | https://anzsgm.org/policy-advocacy/clinical-submissions-inquiry/2026-submission-inquiry/ | | 9 | HCHA — Media Release | https://www.hcha.org.nz/news/home-and-community-health-welcomes-appointments-to-aged-care-ministerial-advisory-group | | 10 | Ambridge Rose — CEO joins Advisory Group | https://www.ambridgerose.co.nz/ambridge-rose-ceo-joins-government-aged-care-advisory-group/ | | 11 | Scoop/ACA — Families carrying the load (11 Mar 2026) | https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE2603/S00038/government-acknowledges-aged-care-pressures-but-families-and-carers-still-carrying-the-load.htm | | 12 | Casey Costello — Facebook parliamentary speech | https://www.facebook.com/caseycostellonzfirst/videos/casey-costello-supporting-people-to-age-in-the-right-place-is-better-for-their-q/2229630861113316/ | | 13 | Wikipedia — David Cunliffe | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Cunliffe | --- ## Value Rating: 🟠 HIGH **Why HIGH value:** - Comprehensive mapping of the Advisory Group — composition, scope, timeline, status - Confirmed report deadline has passed but report NOT yet public - Documented sector engagement (5+ organisations made submissions) - Cross-linked to Health Committee inquiry and Budget 2026 - Captured political positioning (bipartisan, election-year implications) - Downloaded Terms of Reference PDF for the KB - Identified key personnel and political dynamics