Planning Ahead for Later Life – Make 2026 Your Year
The holiday break often brings whānau together, creating space for kōrero we don’t typically make time for. Did any conversations come up this holiday season about:What matters to you as you age?; Your wishes if you were to get sick?; What a good death might look like for you?
These conversations can be hard, emotional, and deeply personal, but they can also bring peace of mind for both you and your loved ones. If they didn’t happen, that’s okay. It’s never too late to begin. Make 2026 your year to get your affairs in order so you can embrace the present more wholeheartedly!
We’ve put together five simple steps below to get your planning journey started.
Step 1: End-of-Life Planning
Our Go With Grace plan is a free, user-friendly tool to record end-of-life wishes and plan your farewell so your loved ones know what matters to you when the time comes.
Your plan can include things like:
- What matters most to you at your farewell or funeral
- Cultural, spiritual, or personal beliefs and values
- Where loved ones can find important legal and financial information
If you already have a plan, this is a good time to review it. Life can change, so keeping your plan up to date is important.
Step 2: Healthcare Planning
An Advance Care Plan records your wishes for future healthcare if you’re unable to speak for yourself. It can guide doctors and whānau to make decisions that align with your values.
An Advance Care Plan may cover:
Treatments you would or wouldn’t want
What matters most to you if you become seriously unwell
Who you trust to speak on your behalf
This is not just for older people or those who are unwell. It’s for anyone who wants their voice heard, even in difficult circumstances.
Step 3: Legal Planning
A will ensures your wishes are clear after you die and can prevent unnecessary stress or conflict for those left behind. Changes in life, relationships, assets, and priorities can mean your will no longer reflects your current situation. Ask yourself:
Ask yourself:
- Is my will up to date?
- Does it reflect my current whānau, relationships, assets and wishes?
- Have I clearly stated how I want my estate handled?.
Step 4: Financial Planning
At any stage of life, thoughtful financial planning can help you make the most of what you’ve worked for and ensure peace of mind for you and your loved ones. Later in life, planning is even more important.
Explore topics such as:
Managing loans and debts
Kiwisaver & Superannuation
Reverse Home Loans
Step 5: Support Team Planning
Your support team are those people who step in to care for you and your interests when you can no longer care for yourself, including your Powers of Attorney.
Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPoA) are legal documents allowing someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to.
In Aotearoa, there are two types of EPoA:
- Property – for financial and property decisions
- Personal Care and Welfare – for health and wellbeing decisions
Choosing the right person, and ensuring the documents are completed correctly, can make a significant difference during times of illness or crisis.
The most important, and perhaps the hardest step when getting your affairs in order, is having conversations with your family.
Talking about ageing, illness, and dying can feel uncomfortable, but these kōrero can also invite rich and meaningful connections and resolutions. They can help ensure your wishes are understood and reduce the burden on loved ones who might otherwise be left guessing.
At Go With Grace, we support people to have these conversations, reflect on what matters, and put thoughtful plans in place. If the New Year feels like the right time to begin, we’re here to help.
