Rotorua Grey Power February 2017

Time to set priorities - 2017 General
Election set for September 23
Happy New Year. I hope 2017 will be a
positive year for us all. I am looking forward to
it being so for Grey Power.
RUSSELL HALLAM QSM
President, Grey Power Rotorua
Being General Election year,
I anticipate Grey Power
locally and nationally being
involved in plenty of lobbying
of prospective Members of
Parliament and their respective
political parties.
Grey Power has a number of
policies and concerns that we
must use the General Election
campaign to promote and gain
the support of those seeking to
be the next government.
HOUSING is an important
discussion and very relevant
to us all. Affordable housing,
whether home ownership or
rental accommodation, is
increasingly challenging our
financial resources.
Soaring house prices deliver
an increased valuation but are
accompanied by less welcome
increased rates and insurance
costs. They also result in higher
rental costs as investors strive to
maintain percentage gains on
their investments.
Government must demonstrate
its commitment to curb
soaring house prices and stop
the slide in the percentage of
Kiwis able to achieve the New
Zealand dream of home ownership.
This includes first home
buyers who, while they may not
be Grey Power members, are
our children and grandchildren.
Government needs to
demonstrate its responsibility to
provide State housing for our
people. Affordable housing has
to be high priority, particularly
for those of us in the third age
who may have limited income
opportunities.
Surely we believe in the
right of all New Zealand citizens
to have accommodation
Colin Burson -
acknowledgement
that is warm, safe and secure.
Government should work collaboratively
with district, city
and regional councils to ensure
adequate, affordable and safe
housing stock is available.
It is Government’s responsibility
to provide sufficient
State housing stock, along with
supporting councils to provide
housing to meet the needs of
their communities.
We must lobby the incoming
Government to upgrade The
Rates Rebate Scheme so it is
available to all for whom it was
intended.
The Grey Power Federation
has lobbied Government on this
issue and along with many of
its associations all have made
submissions supporting the Bill
currently before Parliament for
Retirement Village residents to
receive a rates rebate based on
payments made in weekly village
charges to help pay village
rates. The Bill was presented to
Parliament by Hon Ruth Dyson.
So, housing and associated
issues will be an election priority;
I ask you to consider the
above when you are deciding
where to put your ticks come
the day.
I will discuss other policies -
health and superannuation - in
the next issue.
Kia ora, kia kaha, kia
manawanui.
Russell Hallam
JENNIFER FRANCIS
Secretary, Grey Power Rotorua
Grey Power Rotorua
vice-president Colin
Burson died unexpectedly
in early December 2016.
The Grey Power Rotorua
committee acknowledges
Colin’s reliability and readiness
to help – key attributes of
volunteers - and qualities we
learned were not confined just
to his Grey Power involvement.
Colin had a particular interest
in legal and constitutional
matters and was part of
the sub-committee reviewing
Grey Power Rotorua’s incorporated
society rules.
Colin joined the Grey Power
committee in April 2013 and
was elected vice-president in
May 2016.
Committee members
joined Colin’s family and
friends at his farewell.
The Grey Power Committee
sends its aroha and solidarity
to Ila, Colin’s wife, and his
wider family.
Colin Burson 1935 - 2016
Rotorua greypower News – February 2017 3