Senior Citizens

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• The Green Party will maintain universal New Zealand Superannuation for all New Zealanders 65 years and older, adjusted annually in accordance with movement in the Consumer Price Index, and within the constraints that:

1. The rate for a couple cannot fall below 65% of the average ordinary time weekly earnings (after the deduction of standard tax and the earner premium payable on those earnings) as determined by the Department of Statistics.

2. The rate for a couple cannot exceed 72.5 % of the average ordinary time weekly earnings (after the deduction of standard tax and the earner premium payable on those earnings) as determined by the Department of Statistics.

3. The rate for a single person living alone is 65% of the rate for a couple.

4. The rate for a single person not living alone is 60% of that for a couple.

• Implement recommendations made in both The Ageing In Place Report 2012, and the Human Rights Commission report on Aged Care 2012.
• Ensure information is provided and promoted among GPs, specialists, nurses and ancillary health providers regarding ageism, medical ageism, mental health/self esteem issues, and the correlation between mental/emotional well-being and physical health.
• Create purpose-built, rent-assisted living units for older people in all areas (including rural) so that ageing at home becomes a viable reality.
• Provide a high level of home support services for older people who are willing and able to continue living at home. (more here and here)

• A Labour government will establish an Aged Care Commissioner to investigate claims of elder abuse, neglect and financial mismanagement.
• We would investigate funding the Commissioner out of the $5.7 million annual budget of the Retirement Commissioner.
• Labour is also committed to eventual pay parity for nurses and caregivers working in the aged care sector.
• Poorly paid aged care workers will also benefit from Labour’s plan to raise the minimum wage in our first 100 days in office and a further increase in April next year. (more here)

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• Continue to grow the SuperGold Card scheme by further expanding the number of businesses offering the discounts that senior citizens value and want.
• Continuing to invest in the SuperGold free offpeak public transport scheme.
• Invest more in health more than ever before to reduce waiting times, increase elective operations and ensure older New Zealanders get the healthcare they need.
• Address social isolation by helping communities foster grassroots initiatives to help connect older New Zealanders.
• Increase support for hospices through an extra $20 million a year. (more here)

• Ensure that SuperGold Card holders receive three free doctor’s visits a year.
• Promote a ten per cent discount on power bills for SuperGold Card holders during winter months.
• Keep the age of eligibility for Superannuation at 65, non-contributory entitlement with no means-testing.
• Enforce national standards for rest homes and home care.
• Ensure adequate funding and direction is put into Alzheimers, dementia and osteoporosis research. (more here)

• Subsidise the power bills of over-65s by $50 per month for the three coldest months of the year - June, July and August - so seniors can afford to keep warm.
• Promote co-housing as an option for older people to join together to create and manage their own accommodation.
• Ensure that our seniors continue to be actively engaged in the community by promoting business mentoring by retired & semi-retired professionals.
• Increase the assistance available to Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, and ensure that Work and Income caseworkers are aware of their entitlements.
• Undertake a campaign to raise expectations of older workers and break-down any negative attitudes of employers and the broader community towards them. The government can lead by taking steps as an employer to retain older public servants and to give them flexibility in their working lives. (more here)