Surprising   Sobering   Humorous   Independent   Unique

Surprising   Sobering   Humorous   Independent   Unique

Surprising   Sobering   Humorous   Independent   Unique Surprising   Sobering   Humorous   Independent   Unique

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.

An elderly man wearing a straw hat and a light blue polo shirt sitting on a wooden bench outside, with a small bird perched on his shoulder, and a white wall with pinecones on a nearby table in the background.
A backyard garden with various shrubs, flowering plants, and a small pink rose bush, surrounded by white plastic chairs and a house in the background.
A small wooden ukulele, a white cup of tea on a closed book, a laptop with a black keyboard, and a notebook with a pen on a light-colored bedsheet.
Silhouette of a heron walking along the shore during sunset with a reflection on the water.

If you are interested in reading the research papers assosciated with the ‘Have Our Say’ project, then please see: