Recently, Grey Power’s interest in extending the eligibility for the shingles vaccine (Shingrix) beyond the age of 65 was brought to my attention. I am happy to say that after writing to Pharmac, alongside Grey Power, we have received a response saying that Pharmac has heard your feedback and is currently considering widening access to Shingrix.
We are also working alongside Grey Power on opportunities to address concerns around bridging finance and I wanted to thank you all for the significant amount of feedback I have also received regarding your disappointment over the Coalition Government’s weakened Retirement Villages Act review proposal.
Despite Grey Power’s community advocacy, the Coalition Government has remained silent on your concerns.
However, I listened to them and I have raised your concerns with relevant Ministers, stating that communities are asking for the upcoming bill to consider that:
- Repayment time frames when a unit is sold should be reduced from 12 months to 3 months, unless in exceptional circumstances.
- Retirement village operators pay interest on late payment from day one, unless in exceptional circumstances.
- Legislation be retrospective and cover current contracts.
The weakened proposal shows that the big corporations that operate two-thirds of our retirement villages do not want residents to have the basic rights that they are entitled to such as promptly repaying capital that rightfully belongs to the residents.
The Green Party is committed to a non-partisan approach for seniors’ accommodation. We will continue to advocate for better rights and protections for retirement village residents.
We will also push for increasing accessible public housing with sufficient care facilities and amenities, which are appropriate for seniors. This is because we believe that you, Kiwi seniors, deserve better.
