Dementia Mate Wareware
Action Plan

New Zealand Dementia Foundation > Tools and Guidance > Action Plan

Dementia Mate Wareware Action Plan 2026-2031

Building on the foundations laid by our 2020-2025 Action Plan, this refreshed plan represents a critical evolution in our national response to dementia.

Presented to the Associate Minister of Health, Hon Casey Costello, at the Alzheimer’s NZ Summit on 24 September 2025, this refreshed Action Plan addresses one of the most significant challenges currently facing our health system. Dementia mate wareware is not a problem for the future—it is having a profound impact on individuals, whānau, our health system, and economy right now.

Developed by the kaitiaki group—Alzheimers New Zealand, Dementia New Zealand, New Zealand Dementia Foundation, and te Mate Wareware Advisory Rōpū—this refreshed Plan was shaped through a comprehensive two-phase consultation process. In March 2025, almost 100 people from across the sector provided feedback on the refresh approach, followed by input from 44 people and organisations during the online consultation phase.

2026-31 Action Plan

The comprehensive 2026-2031 Dementia Mate Wareware Action Plan provides a roadmap, outlining the five priority areas and strategic foundations needed to prevent dementia and improve support.

Plan at a Glance

The comprehensive 2026-2031 Dementia Mate Wareware Action Plan provides a roadmap, outlining the five priority areas and strategic foundations needed to prevent dementia and improve support.

Feedback Summary

The draft Plan was circulated to as many people and organisations as possible across the dementia sector in 2019. This document summarises the outcomes of the consultative process to gather feedback.

2026-31 Action Plan

The comprehensive 2026-2031 Dementia Mate Wareware Action Plan provides a roadmap, outlining the five priority areas and strategic foundations needed to prevent dementia and improve support.

Plan at a Glance

The comprehensive 2026-2031 Dementia Mate Wareware Action Plan provides a roadmap, outlining the five priority areas and strategic foundations needed to prevent dementia and improve support.

Feedback Summary

The draft Plan was circulated to as many people and organisations as possible across the dementia sector in 2019. This document summarises the outcomes of the consultative process to gather feedback.