A study shows people over 70 were mostly invisible during the Covid 19 lockdown, unless they were being portrayed as victims.

A team from Te Arai Research Group is looking at why they had little say, despite appearing in many news reports as being the hardest hit from the virus.

Professor of Auckland University's School of Nursing Merryn Gott told Tim Dower many news reports were about the elderly, but few reported what was said by them.

"I think we heard very little from people over 70. There was a lot said about people over 70 around vulnerability, but actually in the media, there was very few over 70 who had a voice."

She says that there were a number of stories about the elderly being vulnerable, passive, and not able to make their own decisions.

"We all know that's not true."

Over 70s can participate in the Have Our Say project to share their thoughts on the lockdown.