Introduction

The aging of New Zealand's academic workforce has previously been identified as an area requiring careful management by providers and sector groups.  In 2013, 45 percent of the academic staff in technical and higher education was aged 50 years and over.  This compared to 41 percent at the time of the 2006 census.  The proportion of the total New Zealand workforce aged 50 years and over was 35 percent in 2013 and 29 percent in 2006.  Likewise, the non-academic staff in technical and higher education has a younger age structure than the academic staff.  In 2013, 38 percent of the non-academic staff in technical and higher education has a younger age structure than the academic staff.