Good in the Hood: Helping Older People Feel Connected, Supported and Well
A little orange token could make a big difference to older people in Taranaki.
We’re excited to share that Age Concern Taranaki has been selected to take part in Z Huatoki’s Good in the Hood 2026.
From 18 August to 14 September, Z customers at Huatoki will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite local community organisation using an orange token.
For us, this is about much more than a vote.
It’s an opportunity to shine a light on the importance of connection, wellbeing and support for older people in our community—and to raise funds th
at can help us reach even more older people across Taranaki.
Why connection matters
Growing older should be a time of opportunity, connection and participation. But for some older people, life can become increasingly isolated.
Retirement, changes in health, losing a partner or friends, reduced mobility, moving away from family, or simply having fewer opportunities to meet people can all affect a person
’s sense of connection.
And loneliness can have a significant impact on wellbeing.
At Age Concern Taranaki, we believe that everyone deserves to feel connected, valued and included, whatever their age.
That’s why creating opportunities for friendship, participation and community connection is such an important part of what we do.
From music and movement groups to social activities, men’s groups, exercise classes and community events, we create spaces where older people can meet others, try something new, have a laugh and, most importantly, feel that they belong.
Sometimes it’s a conversation over a cup of tea.
Sometimes it’s learning a new skill.
Sometimes it’s moving to music, sharing a story, playing a game or simply knowing there is somewhere to go and people who are happy to see you.
These moments matter.
Helping older people live well
Connection is just one part of healthy ageing.
Our Health Promotion work supports older people with information, education and practical opportunities to make positive choices about their health and wellbeing.
Living well as we age can mean many things—from staying physically active and maintaining strength and balance, to looking after our mental wellbeing, eating well, staying socially connected and knowing where to go for support.
We want older people to have the knowledge, confidence and opportunities they need to take an active role in their own wellbeing.
What could your vote help us achieve?
If Age Concern Taranaki receives funding through Good in the Hood, we will focus the funding on our Social Connection and Health Promotion programmes.
This will help us to:
🧡 Reach more older people
We want to connect with older people who may not currently know about the activities, support and opportunities available through Age Concern Taranaki.
🧡 Reduce loneliness and isolation
We want to create more opportunities for older people to meet, connect and build meaningful relationships.
🧡 Create more opportunities for participation
Whether it’s through music, movement, exercise, social activities or community events, we want more older people to have opportunities to get involved and enjoy life.
🧡 Promote healthy ageing
We want to provide accessible information and education that helps older people make informed choices about their physical, mental and social wellbeing.
🧡 Strengthen our community
When older people are connected and participating, our whole community benefits. Older people bring experience, knowledge, skills and stories that enrich Taranaki.
Come and see us at Z Huatoki!
We’d love to meet you in person!
On Thursday 20 August, from 9.30am–11.30am, the Age Concern Taranaki team will be at Z Huatoki on Courtenay Street as part of our Good in the Hood campaign.
We’ll be there to wash your windscreen, help pump your petrol and have a chat about the work we do in our community.
Most importantly, you can make your Good in the Hood vote for Age Concern Taranaki while you’re there! 🧡
So, if you’re filling up on Thursday morning, come and say kia ora to the team. Bring your questions, bring your friends and, of course, bring your orange token!
📅 Thursday 20 August
⏰ 9.30am–11.30am
📍 Z Huatoki, Courtenay Street, New Plymouth
We’ll see you at the pump!
Your little token can help make a big difference
Z’s Good in the Hood programme is built around a simple idea: local customers get to have a say in supporting local organisations.
Each participating Z service station selects four local community groups, and customers vote for the organisation they would like to support by placing their orange tokens in the corresponding box. The funding is then shared between the participating groups according to the proportion of votes they receive.
Z says that, through Good in the Hood, more than $10 million has been directed to charities and grassroots community groups across Aotearoa New Zealand.
For Age Concern Taranaki, your vote could help us do more of what we know makes a difference: bringing older people together, reducing isolation and helping people live well.
How you can support us
From 18 August to 14 September 2026, if you’re visiting:
📍 Z Huatoki, Courtenay Street, New Plymouth
Look for the Age Concern Taranaki voting box and pop your orange Good in the Hood token in it.
And if you visit Z more than once during the voting period, you can vote each time you receive a token.
Every token counts.
You can also help us by telling your friends, whānau, neighbours and colleagues about the campaign and sharing our posts on social media.
Help us build a Taranaki where older people feel connected and valued
At Age Concern Taranaki, we want to see a community where growing older is something to embrace—not something that means becoming invisible or isolated.
A community where older people have opportunities to participate.
Where people know where to turn for support.
Where wellbeing is valued at every age.
And where everyone has the opportunity to belong.
Your little orange token could help us reach one more person, create one more connection and make one more opportunity possible.
🧡 Vote for Age Concern Taranaki at Z Huatoki
18 August – 14 September 2026
One little token. A big difference for older people.
