Enliven, part of the not-for-profit organisation Presbyterian Support Central, is pleased to announce a new partnership with Public Trust that will help our residents, retirement village communities and their whānau access trusted information and competitively priced services for wills and Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPOAs).
The partnership officially began on 13 July 2026. It will enable Enliven to share helpful Public Trust resources and arrange educational sessions about wills, EPOAs and planning for the future.
These conversations can sometimes feel difficult or easy to postpone. However, having the right legal documents in place can provide reassurance for individuals and their families, particularly when someone is considering retirement village living, receiving support at home or preparing to enter rest home care.
A will is a legal document that records what should happen to your estate after you die. Your estate may include your home, money, investments, treasured belongings and other assets.
A valid, up to date will allows you to record who should receive these assets, appoint an executor to carry out your wishes and make other important decisions, such as nominating guardians for dependent children. It can also include a gift to a charity or community organisation that matters to you.
If someone dies without a valid will, their estate is distributed according to New Zealand’s intestacy laws. This may not reflect their personal wishes and can make an already emotional time more complicated for whānau.
A will should also be reviewed when circumstances change, including after a marriage, separation, death in the family, property purchase or other significant life event.
An Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA) is a legal document that appoints someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf in specified circumstances.
There are two types of EPOA in New Zealand:
Your spouse, partner or adult child does not automatically have the legal authority to make these decisions for you. An EPOA must be formally prepared while you still have the mental capacity to understand and approve it.
Having an EPOA in place is particularly important when entering aged care or rest home care.
If a resident becomes unable to make or communicate decisions, Enliven needs to know who has the legal authority to act on their behalf. A personal care and welfare attorney may need to participate in decisions about healthcare, treatment, accommodation and changes to the resident’s level of care. A property attorney may manage payments, accounts or other financial matters.
Having these arrangements documented helps Enliven work with the right person and enact appropriate care decisions without unnecessary delays or uncertainty. Most importantly, it helps ensure decisions reflect the resident’s interests and previously expressed wishes.
If no EPOA is in place when a person loses mental capacity, whānau may need to apply to the Family Court for authority to act. This can be a significantly more complex, time-consuming and costly process.
That is why we encourage residents and families to discuss EPOAs early - before they are urgently needed.
We know the cost of legal services can be a barrier, particularly for older people and families already managing the expenses associated with care. Enliven supports people from a wide range of financial circumstances, including those who may have limited means or find it difficult to access professional services.
Our partnership with Public Trust will provide greater access to options and straightforward information, including online services where appropriate. Public Trust representatives can also speak with residents, retirement village residents and whānau about wills and EPOAs, helping make the process easier to understand.
Public Trust has supported New Zealanders since 1873 and is New Zealand’s largest provider of wills and estate administration services. Its experienced team assists with wills, EPOAs, estate administration, trusts and related planning.
Planning ahead is not simply about completing paperwork. It is about retaining choice, protecting your wishes and making things easier for the people you love.
To learn more, talk with your Enliven home or village team, or visit the Public Trust website.
This information is general in nature and is not intended to constitute legal advice. Individual circumstances differ, and independent professional advice may be appropriate.