In 2002 the Ministry of Health released the national Health of Older People Strategy. The document sets out the principles and objectives for the development of services for older people throughout New Zealand.

The strategy makes Waitemata DHB responsible for providing specialist services for the older people in its district, as well as funding and planning for residential care and support services.

Waitemata DHB has worked to identify the key issues in funding and providing services for older people in the area, and how the needs of the local population can be met within existing resources. The Health of Older People Implementation Plan sets out Waitemata DHB's approach to addressing the key issues.