We’ve come a long way!
Back in 1986 the official retirement age was 60 and the Government was urging people to put away savings for their retirement – many saved diligently.
Then, suddenly the Government announced that when one retired those savings would be taxed. There was an enormous outcry with the overall feeling of unfairness among those who had pinched pennies to follow government advice only to be told they would be penalised for saving their money.
In Auckland huge numbers took to the streets in protest. Meetings were called and government Ministers were taken to task. Needless to say, because of the relentless pressure by a group called the Auckland Superannuants’ Association, the surcharge was repealed.
From that fight for justice, the Grey Power NZ Federation was formed in 1986 as an advocacy organisation to lobby government Ministers and government agencies on the rights and needs of older people living in New Zealand.
On the strength of that, other groups around New Zealand decided to become associated with Grey Power and today there are 70 plus Grey Power associations around the country.
Over the past 38 years, Grey Power (GP) has led the fight to change policies and conditions which concern older citizens living in New Zealand. These have included (and still include) free prescriptions, which is still relevant for the over 65s; free vaccinations for shingles and influenza; extending the age of free screening programmes; the rates rebates scheme; winter heating payments; an increase for hearing aid subsidies and more.
A major milestone for GP was working with Winston Peters to establish a fully funded SuperGold Card. GP keeps lobbying to ensure the funding for this continues and that more benefits become available. It is now one of the most widely used discount cards for those over 65 years.
GP continues to actively lobby government Ministers for the rights of seniors on issues of health and health care, transport, energy, housing and retirement income.
One of the many issues with which GP has been recently involved is the cutting of funds for the Dunedin Hospital project; late last year, delegates presented a petition to Parliament calling for the project, and the Timaru Hospital, to be fully funded.
When Grey Power sees membership grow, it makes our voice stronger both locally, nationally and at association level. Subsequently we have greater impact and influence when advocating to these entities on areas of concern for seniors within their own communities.
Our more than 40,000 members have a strong voice, but the more members we have, the stronger our voice becomes when we are addressing government.
