New portal in New Zealand helps the workforce welcome retired job seekers

Those in New Zealand often hail Marlborough as the central capital for retirement, but a new job platform on the market implies plenty of its residents are looking to join the workforce.

Blenheim woman Margy Crosby, soon to be 69, keeps herself busy with two jobs.

She works as a Pūkenga Manaaki - or health and wellness "navigator" - for older people at Māori health provider Te Piki Oranga, and teaches self defence classes through the Women's Self Defence Network. 

Her part time work gave her life balance, as well as purpose, social interaction and financial independence, she said.

"When you have a job you need to get up out of bed ... it means you're mixing with other people."

Although Crosby feels satisfied with her jobs, she comes across seniors in her work that struggle to find employment.  

Seniors@work is a new platform which connects senior job seekers with employers eager to have older workers.

Managing Director Ian Fraser created the platform after having his own difficulties re-entering the workforce after a job setback in his 60s.

"I didn't think it would be too daunting because I had worked just about all my life in management and senior management roles," Fraser said.

"I applied for 75 jobs and got one contract ... and only one other interview."

After discovering that there was no platform for older workers to find employment, Fraser decided to have a crack at creating one himself. 

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