Injecting funding and education opportunities into Tauranga's age care sector is emerging as a key desire among those in the industry heading into this year's general election.

Labour MP Iain Lees-Galloway met with Greypower and Age Concern representatives, and visited rest homes, during a pit stop in Tauranga this week.

Iain Lees-Galloway during his visit to Tauranga this week.

The Palmerston North MP is touring the country's regions seeking grassroots input into health, ACC and care of the elderly before the Labour Party announces more policies on the issues.

Speaking to SunLive, Iain says industry representatives want higher incentives, respect and training for elderly carers, both at home and in residential facilities.

'What we talked about alot today is we need to make it an attractive career. There has to be the ability to up skill and you have to be able to see the rewards of that.

'The people working at age care are absolutely dedicated. They work very hard and are passionate and committed, but unfortunately it is often seen as a job of last result and the pay rates are abysmal.”

Iain says it's not an issue that can be solved overnight, but he would like to see a similar transformation in the sector to what Labour did for early childhood education.

'Ten or 15 years ago, it was viewed as child-minding and it was done by people who weren't qualified or paid well.

'It's completely different now. It's about education, it's about preparing children for school, and that is provided by qualified people who are respected by the community, they value the work they do and feel valued.

'It showed over a period of time we could change the sector and the way it viewed itself.”

He says what's missing is the incentive for people to up-skill.

'A lot of the caregivers are paying for their qualifications, but often the result of that is they don't get paid anymore.

'A lot of them undertake it anyway because they are incredibly caring and giving people. If it wasn't for that there would be almost no incentive to provide quality care at all.”

Tauranga Age Concern chairperson Angela Scott would also love to see more funding put into the sector on a local and international level.

'One of our main things is that any care, or support should be delivered with dignity and respect. The problem is the age care sector is actually increasing, and are we getting the best care?”

She says those working in residential or home support are 'very poorly paid”.

'They do a tremendous job and we think they should have more training and be paid a reasonable wage.

'The average age of carers is over 50. Who is going to take their place?”

Angela says it is good news more people are being looked after in their own homes, but more money is required for those who provide that service to ensure the best care is given.

'It makes sense to put more money into home support and it costs less. There are many excellence services in home care, but there is more money needed for the people who run those support services.”