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27 A ged care is an important sector, particu- larly in areas like NewZealand where the percentage of older people keeps grow- ing. According to Statistics New Zealand, 14.3 percent of the population was aged 64 years and over, an increase of 2 percent since 2006. It is likely that the number has grown even higher since the last census,marking the importance of facilities and organizations in the care industry. The NewZealandAged CareAssociation (NZACA) is certainly one of the most important organi- zations in the area. By representing 90 percent of New Zealand’s aged residential care sector, NZACA is a highly influential peak body which supports and improves the sector in various ar- eas. The association lobbies the government to influence policies which aim to recognize the importance of the sector, it produces research and information to relevant parties, and pro- vides its members with a strong voice that can affect practical change. “We are the peak body for the New Zealand aged residential care providers. They are those who offer provision of care to the elderly such as rest home, hospital, dementia, and psychoge- riatric care. Some of our members only provide care, others have a retirement village aspect to their businesses as well as having a care facil- ity attached. We represent the very small right through to the very large. When I say the very small I mean those care-only facilities whereas the very largest include very significant retire- ment villages as part of their core facilities”, says Simon Wallace, the CEO of NZACA. AT A GLANCE NEW ZEALAND AGED CARE ASSOCIATION WHAT: New Zealand’s largest and most in- fluential association of the aged residential care sector. WHERE: Level 11, Petherick Towers, 38– 42 Waring Taylor Street, Wellington WEBSITE: www.nzaca.org.nz