Older People's Access to Motor Vehicles: 2006

Older People’s Access to Motor Vehicles Varies by Region

Access to private motor vehicles by New Zealanders aged 65 and over differs significantly between regions, according to a report released today by Statistics New Zealand. In Wellington, 19 percent of the older population live in households without access to private motor vehicles, compared with 17 and 16 percent in Auckland and Canterbury, respectively, and 11 percent in the Tasman region.

Drawn mostly from 2001 Census data, Older People's Access to Motor Vehicles: 2006 provides insights into household motor vehicle access for New Zealanders aged 65 and over. The report explores the relationship between motor vehicle access and a range of related variables such as sex, household composition and household income.

Access to private motor vehicles is higher in rural areas, where only 6 percent of older people live in households without access to motor vehicles, compared with 17 percent in urban areas. Sixteen percent of New Zealanders aged 65 and over live in households without any access to private motor vehicles.

The report also notes that accessibility to motor vehicles declines with increasing age. Six percent of people aged under 65 live in households without access to private motor vehicles, but the share increases to 9 percent of those aged 65–74 and 45 percent of those aged 85 and over.

Access to transport is an important factor affecting the well being of New Zealand’s ageing population, providing the means to independently access services and maintain social networks. This report will help in community planning and evaluation.

Older People's Access to Motor Vehicles: 2006 can be downloaded from the Statistics New Zealand website.

Brian Pink
Government Statistician

ENDS

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