Viewpoint – Keeping an eye on seniors

Like many of you, I enjoyed a stunning Easter break where the weather gods smiled favourably, so headed to the beach after an early trip to the Matakana market to get ahead of the visitor influx. My new role as parliamentary under-secretary for the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries takes me around the country to some fabulous coastal communities, but whenever I return home, I am stunned by the incredible beauty of our region. I hardly need to remind myself how fortunate we are to live in our slice of paradise.

Neighbours who love to get out on the water for a spot of fishing have reported with great enthusiasm the bountiful catches of snapper this summer. Fresh fish on the BBQ must be one of life’s simple and rather delicious pleasures.

It’s been a busy start to the year for the coalition government, completing our first 100-day plan, and we are now firmly focused on the 36-point action plan for the next quarter, which will progress the rebuild of the economy and ease the cost of living. New Zealand First’s dedication to improving the economic and social well-being of our seniors and ensuring they can live comfortably and securely in their own homes is demonstrated by the inclusions in our coalition agreement. We have committed to the retention of the winter energy payment negotiated in our coalition agreement with National, highlighting the importance of this financial support for seniors.

We are also exploring options to build on the Local Government Rebate Scheme for SuperGold Cardholders. By working to enhance this rebate scheme, New Zealand First and National aim to further support seniors economically, ensuring they can maintain their independence and quality of life in their retirement years. Additionally, and good news if you have missed it, we have kept the age of superannuation at 65. New Zealand First has always championed the rights of our seniors.

As a member of the Health Select Committee, I am looking forward to an inquiry into aged care provision, including support for people with early onset conditions, as well as reviewing asset thresholds. This initiative acknowledges the evolving needs of our aging population and seeks to address gaps in the current system to better support those with early onset conditions. By conducting a thorough inquiry, we aim to gather insights from stakeholders and experts in the field to inform policy decisions and improve the quality of care provided to seniors. Our committee will shortly build the inquiry into our work programme.

Across the country, tens of thousands of seniors live in retirement villages, and we believe it is timely to review the Retirement Villages Act. As part of the review, we will liaise with the retirement village owners for a mutually agreed way forward to protect the rights of around 50,000 citizens living in these retirement villages.