“I originally stayed working after 65 as I enjoyed it and like to stay active. The money came in handy of course, but nowadays things are ridiculous, particularly if you’re renting, so that extra money is appreciated,” says David.

He now lives with his son and grandchildren in Tauranga, like many families in the city’s housing crisis, combining living arrangements.

“I feel sorry for younger people as everything we took for granted is so expensive.”

For the last 30 years he’s fixed laboratory equipment used in schools, and it was something he was able to do from a workshop he made in his home as he got older.

With good health, David says he’s “one of the lucky ones” and enjoyed work.

“When people lose mobility it’s hard for those who have to work.”

She’s a skilled bookkeeper and would like to stay in that trade, but has poor mobility in her arm, and needs regular physio at $40 a session, which she struggles to pay.

She has been on a pensioner housing list for two years and currently rents privately at $450 a week, but fears that cost will go up. Her car didn’t pass it’s warrant as the brakes need fixing, but the repair costs hundreds.

She rations herself to two pieces of bread a day, and can only afford powdered milk. She skips prescribed medication as she can’t afford it.

“There are so many things I do without. You soldier on, but it’s not living, just surviving. It’s depressing. Sometimes I feel like I’m done.”

She volunteers at Grey Power, as “there are always people worse off”, and says she sees a lot of other older people having to work to pay bills.

Fairlie’s Robert Herbert, 71, says that retirees are really struggling to survive on super alone and having to work.

"It's an issue in Fairlie - I know of countless people. A man whose wife has cancer and has to drive to Christchurch for treatment, gets no funding for that, so over two years they have used up all their savings. A woman in her 70s who does so much for the community is worried about losing her house as she can't afford it."

Herbert himself barters for goods like firewood and groceries, by offering his services as a former building inspector. He worked until almost 70. His wife is still working in the local supermarket.

He says the Super doesn't match the rise in inflation and rates in particular are a killer.

"35 per cent higher in three years. That’s not affordable for retirees. The future is worrying."

Jennifer Custin, president of Grey Power Tauranga, has only just retired at 74.

“It’s becoming the norm to work beyond 65 - it used to be for enjoyment, a choice, but now the cost of living is forcing people - some who have already retired, going back.”

“With high interest rates and cost of living challenges, more people 65 and over looking for work to make ends meet.”

He’s had many inquiries from people in their 70s and a few in their 80s, and assists with CVs and applications.

The site only posts jobs guaranteed to accept older people.

“I’m in a group with employers and the Office for Seniors working towards getting some sort of tick accreditation for companies that accommodate older workers, by offering flexible, part time or casual work.”

Companies with jobs listed include big players like Restaurant Brands which operates Pizza Hut and KFC, Kiwibank, Harvey Norman and the Warehouse which all say they “welcome mature job seekers”.

There are diverse roles, from a part time lifeguard, working at the car wash, or wardrobe attendant who can “sew up a storm” and open to a “graveyard shift”.

In the Bay of Plenty, the kiwifruit industry actively targets retirees for packhouses, and a number of employers have made provisions for seniors such as parking, shorter shifts and job sharing.

As at December 31 2023, there were 124500 full and part time employees aged 65-69, compared to 112900 in 2020.

In addition there were 56400 people aged 70 to 74 employed, compared with 53900 in 2020.

As for employees 75 or over, there were 32900 2023 compared with 24400 in 2020.

A spokesperson for the government’s Office for Seniors says people work beyond 65 “for a range of reasons, including financial security and personal choice.”

Chief executive of Age Concern, Karen Billings-Jensen says the charity is aware of more people over 65 having to work.

“We’re hearing of people carrying on working or coming out of retirement and going back to work simply because they can’t afford to live.

“Home ownership is decreasing which leaves older people struggling in the current rental market. For home owners too there’s big increases in rates and insurance. The superannuation is fixed, so there is a gap unless a person has savings.”

It’s an issue New Zealand must address, she says.

“We don’t want a society where elderly are forced to work for financial reasons, and also risking their health - especially those who’ve done heavy physical work all their life.

“Or living so frugally that their health is affected by poor nutrition and heating, then having to work as well.”

The job market should be open to senior workers, whether they carry on working for enjoyment or because they need the money, she says.

Financial advisor at National Capital, Clive Fernandes says he is talking to more people in their 60s who are realising they have “no option”, but to carry on working.

“The super has not kept up with rising costs. You used to be able to live on it. Now it’s not possible.”

Things are going to get worse for people at retirement age, he says.

“The gap between super and rising costs is going to get bigger. People in their 40s who should be at prime earning are also struggling to save.”

As well as employment, more people over 65 are using their house to pay for day to day expenses.

Reverse mortgages allow people over 60 to borrow against their home.

Heartland Bank Reverse mortgage loans have increased by 31.5 per cent from 2020, with demand driven by “ageing population, increased cost of living pressures and insufficient superannuation”, says Keira Billot, General Manager at Heartland Bank.