New Zealand First has always been a champion for seniors and, as part of the Government, we are working to ensure seniors can age with the dignity and respect they deserve.
We know that the cost of living is hitting Kiwis in the pocket every day and we are focused on improving this at pace through a suite of policy commitments in our coalition agreement.
We are taking on the banks with a banking inquiry, to ensure New Zealanders interests are put above overseas profits. We are tackling the supermarket duopoly, to ensure better prices at the checkout for Kiwis.
We are holding gentailers to account, to bring electricity prices down for Kiwis and businesses.
We are cutting red tape, making it easier to build granny flats and other small dwellings.
New Zealand First continues to ensure that the retirement age is kept at 65 and we retained the winter energy payment negotiated in our coalition agreement, safeguarding this financial support for seniors.
Recently, we announced an aged care sector inquiry by the Health Select Committee, of which New Zealand First List MP, Jenny Marcroft, is a member. The review will consider support for people with early onset conditions and review asset thresholds.
Some 16% of New Zealanders are over 65 years old, and it’s expected that by 2034 those over 65 could up at 1.2 million. With an ageing population and longer life expectancy the care needs for seniors are expanding.
The inquiry will investigate the aged care sector’s ability to provide care and services for seniors who are and will suffer from early onset conditions. We look forward to updating you on the next steps of this inquiry and how progress will be implemented across the sector.
New Zealand First’s dedication to improving the economic and social well-being of seniors to ensure they live comfortably and securely is clearly demonstrated not only by our coalition agreement, but by our record.
The Minister for Seniors, Casey Costello is playing a pivotal role in our advocacy for seniors, to progress the suite of policy commitments New Zealand First made in our coalition agreement.
We have continuously fought for seniors, and look forward to updating you on further developments that keep one of New Zealand’s most precious assets at the fore – our seniors.
