What is 'Have Our Say'?

The ‘Have Our Say’ project was designed by Te Ārai researchers to amplify older people’s voices, during the 2020-2022 Covid-19 lockdowns in Aotearoa. The project sought to understand how older people coped with the social isolation enforced by the Covid-19 lockdowns.

The nearly 800 letters we received from older New Zealanders defy ageist stereotypes that portray them as fragile, vulnerable and weak. Scroll down to find a selection of their stories. They offer powerful insights into their lockdown experiences in words and pictures.