A study has found almost a third of retirees frequently feel lonely or socially isolated.
The research, by Age Concern Auckland, found 59 percent of New Zealanders aged 65 and above had felt lonely recently, and 30 percent felt that way a lot or all of the time.
Chief executive Kevin Lamb said he feared New Zealand was facing a loneliness epidemic, and told Checkpoint it could have severe health impacts.
Loneliness is tied to more frequent hospitalisations, depression and mental decline, Lamb said.
“It’s hugely detrimental to health and the impact this can have on older people can be horrendous.”