It won’t be news to anyone that New Zealand is experiencing a profound demographic shift. Put simply, our population is ageing.
I am proud that New Zealand First has consistently maintained the position that ageing in this country is not a drain on our economy or a burden.
In New Zealand we have around 900,000 people aged 65 years and over. In the next 15 years that will grow to 1.3 million – around 25% of our population.
What gets missed from this statistical position is that we are living well longer, and that the vast majority of people are not in the formal aged care system. Figures also fail to reflect the service and contribution of older New Zealanders to their communities and our economy.
Whether continuing to work, caring for family members, supporting working parents through caring for grandchildren, volunteering, running businesses, employing people, coaching or mentoring, the contribution of older New Zealanders is crucial to ensuring our country is a great place to live.
However, for some, challenges remain around health, finances and personal circumstances, including isolation, crime, and mobility restrictions. New Zealand First understands these realities and that’s why we focus on practical steps to improve quality of life: tackling crime, increasing police numbers and ensuring we support the local economy and regions.
The Government has taken the same approach with the Better Later Life Action Plan, a compilation of initiatives to help deliver quality of life as we age. Launched in December last year with Grey Power in Marlborough, this initiative recognises the decades of advocacy Grey Power has provided for older Kiwis.
It has long been New Zealand First’s position that raising the superannuation age is not the solution needed. We contribute proportionally less to this entitlement than other OECD countries.
What we need to do is grow our economy to deliver what all New Zealanders need regardless of age, race, religion or gender – a warm dry home, first world wages, access to health care when needed, and a fantastic education system for all to reach their potential.