Important issues affecting the future of New Zealand seniors were discussed in May when Grey Power Federation Board members met with the new Aged Care Commissioner plus representatives from Office for Seniors (Ministry for Social Development) and from the Retirement Commission.
On meeting Erin James (the new Aged Care Commissioner) Grey Power national vice president, David Marshall, and the national secretary, Margaret Sole, agreed it was an ideal opportunity to update each other on a number of issues.
“The new Commissioner was most interested in the Domestic Care survey we [Grey Power] conducted in late 2025 and requested a copy for her records”’ Mr Marshall says.
“We also shared contact details about a developing App that could connect family and carers in the home of a loved one. Such an app could substantially improve communication between family and the carer of a loved one when family is not close by.”
New legislation financially penalising older vulnerable renters who have a boarder for social support was also discussed.
Mr Marshall says now that a proportion of any board received by seniors would be assessed as income thus resulting in reduced accommodation support, it would force some vulnerable seniors to ask a boarder to leave.
On a positive note, Ms James invited Grey Power to contact her when the Federation becomes aware of regional issues or problems learned through Grey Power membership.
With commentators and politicians now making policy statements on the future of NZ Superannuation, it was important to meet with key staff at the Retirement Commission where the role of Retirement Commissioner is transitioning from Jane Wrightson to David Boyle. Mr Boyle will take up his new post this month [June 2026].
Dr Patrick Nolan and Dr Michelle Reyers from the Commission’s Policy and Research Team, and Tristan Fluerty (Housing and Urban Development) also met with the Grey Power delegation to discuss the Retirement Villages Act and other issues potentially affecting NZS.
Dr Nolan encouraged delegates to visit and discuss his priorities for any potential changes to NZS and Kiwi-Saver once he has settled into his new role.
The first reading of the Retirement Villages Act is before the house. At this stage, Mr Marshall says, it does not go as far as the Consumer Campaign with retrospective changes to current contracts, although other parts will be retrospective.
“The issue is, that making new terms for repayment time lines for existing contracts would break current contract law and this is not a step that is favoured by most as it would set a dangerous precedent in Contract Law.”
Discussion regarding the NZS age of entitlement, means testing, and better assisting the most vulnerable who rent in retirement were also addressed.
“We were told the Commission is completely supportive of having no changes to NZS without a cross party, evidence-based enquiry whereby all options can be evaluated and any proposed changes gradually implemented with the least disruption to the plans and expectations of those approaching retirement.”
At the Ministry of Social Development office, the delegation met with the new Director of Office for Seniors, Nicky McDonald, and the Manager for Office for Seniors, George Minton. Topics discussed included:
- Domestic board received by older renters being assessed as income, an issue previously raised with MSD staff. Grey Power was told there was no room for consideration of exemptions. We pointed out that many vulnerable older people would have to let boarders go because any deduction on their accommodation supplement would mean they could no longer financially manage. We were told that in these cases there could be consideration of supplementary or emergency payments.
- The problem of people who had worked overseas proving their eligibility for NZS when MSD has no immigration records prior to about 1989. It was agreed that with the increasing residency requirement to qualify for NZS, this will be a growing issue for many people. How does an individual prove they were in the country for periods prior to 1989 if they have no employment records from before that date? This issue needs a pathway for resolution.
- The lack of an increase in the Accommodation Supplement since 2018. The Doors to Dignity campaign (see article page 19) and petition, supported by GP, was discussed. It was encouraging to see cross party acknowledgement of this growing crisis and that the search for alternative solutions was supported by government and community.
- A potential pilot initiative, organised by Grey Power to assist older, retired homeowners who fail to gain bridging finance when wanting to downsize their homes within their own community. This programme was of great interest and we were later invited to share more about the project with the Office for Seniors and the Minister.
- The adverse consequences of introducing NZS means-testing were explored, both with respect to more complex and costly administration, as well as the unintentional adverse impact on work force participation of retirees.
- The Better Later Life Action Plan roadshow with the Minister for Seniors, Casey Costello, ends in July, with a planned reporting back meeting in Marlborough, where the first meeting was hosted by Gayle Chambers. We support this and hope Gayle will be mobile by then. Live-streaming the meeting was recommended.
