30 national <strong>Grey</strong>power mAGAZINE » june <strong>2016</strong> Advertorial Swap to AT HOP for your travel concession! (Your public transport concession is on the move!) A big change is coming for Auckland’s SuperGold cardholders. The public transport concession is on the move - to the AT HOP card. Last year, the Ministry of Transport announced changes to the SuperGold public transport scheme. From 1 July <strong>2016</strong>, Su- Heat pumps make for healthy living From page 25 they open their power bill during the winter period (41%), least likely (equal with Canterbury) to have turned off their heat pump to save money (42%), most likely to say that having a heat pump has reduced their power bills (48%), and least likely to remotely access their heat pump so that their house is warm when they get home (14%). Canterbury: Cantabrians are most likely to feel stressed or significantly anxious when they open their power perGold cardholders in Auckland will need to have the public transport concession loaded onto an AT HOP card to continue to enjoy the public transport concession. The good news is, when the concession is loaded on to an AT HOP card, exactly the same privileges apply. These include free travel on trains and selected buses and ferries in Auckland after 9am on weekdays, and all day on weekends and public holidays. (There are some exclusions, you can find these at at.govt.nz/supergold) Almost 42,000 Super- Gold cardholders have already loaded their concession on to their AT HOP card. For them there will be no change after 1 July, they can go on using their card as usual. For everybody else, bill during the winter period (44%), least likely (equal with Wellington) to have turned off their heat pump to save money (42%), least likely to use their heat pumps timing functionality (40%) and most likely to have more than one heat pump in their home (48%). Otago: Those in Otago are least likely to say that their health has improved since installing a heat pump 33%), most likely to have turned off their heat pump to save money (63%), least likely to have had a home that has insulation/was insulated prior to the heat pump being installed (75%) and least likely to use their heat pump for both cooling in the summer and heating in winter (47%) Bay of Plenty: Those in the Bay of Plenty are least likely to have had to reduce their spending on other items so they can pay their power bill (21%), least likely to say that a heat pump is now a must have in any house that they live in (61%), most likely to use their heat pumps timing functionality (58%) and least likely to have more than Auckland Transport (“AT”) has come up with several different ways to obtain an AT HOP card and get the concession loaded. AT has made this into a three step process. The steps are clearly outlined in a special pack that can be obtained by calling 0800 AT GOLD, or by going to at.govt.nz/ supergold. If you’re near an AT Customer Service Centre, AT HOP retailer or ticket office, packs will be available there. It starts with pur- one heat pump in their home (21%). About the survey Canstar Blue commissions respected professional market research agency Colmar Brunton Australia, to undertake research on our behalf using SSI NZ panel. The outcomes reported here are the results from a survey of Kiwis who have purchased and used a domestic heat pump in the last 2 years. In this case there were 567 people surveyed. *This geographical breakdown outlines exceptions only. chasing an AT HOP card from an AT HOP retailer and you can find details of retailers at https:// at.govt.nz/retailers. The card costs $10, and at the time of purchase must be loaded with $5 worth of HOP Money. The $10 card purchase price is non-refundable. You then register your AT HOP card online, by post, or in person at an AT Customer Service Centre and apply for your SuperGold Concession at the same time. We asked Peter Paton, Customer Experience Manager from AT what benefits they saw in the transfer of the concession to AT HOP. “It’s convenient, you don’t need to carry cash if you’re in credit and want to travel out of concession hours or on excluded services. For example if you’re going to an early morning medical appointment, you can use the credit on your card rather than cash. And, in most cases, you’ll get a discount off the normal cash fare.” Travel with an AT HOP card costs at least 20% less than single trip cash fares. Excludes SkyBus, NiteRider and Waiheke ferry services. Peter saw several other benefits. “Because all you do is tag on and tag off, you don’t have to queue or wait for the driver to issue a Super- Gold ticket. It means you get on the bus quicker. “ AT say one of the questions they’re asked is whether people over 65 can still pay cash. The answer is “Yes”, but there is one thing to watch out for. “You’ll have to pay the full normal fare, you won’t get a discount. That’s why it makes such sense to have one of the new gold AT HOP cards.” One further word of advice. Keep your existing SuperGold Card because only the Super- Gold public transport concession is shifting to the AT HOP card in Auckland. You’ll still need your current Super- Gold card when you travel in Auckland as proof of eligibility, to access travel concessions in cities outside of Auckland, and the other concessions available through the SuperGold scheme. Terms of use and registered prospectus for the AT HOP cards are available at AT.govt.nz/ athop. The obligations of Auckland Transport under the AT HOP cards are unsecured. Winter’s here – have you had your flu shot? From page 29 health IT and software firm SimplHealth last year, is a first for pharmacies and reduces the time filling out documentation, freeing up pharmacists to spend more time with their customers. Getting vaccinated as early as possible gives the best defence against the flu and immunisation can last you an entire year, according to the Ministry of Health. “It doesn’t matter The surgical mesh debate - what’s it all about From page 12 It is important to remember that there are many people with surgical mesh devices who are absolutely fine. This article is to raise awareness for people contemplating a surgical mesh procedure or for those people who may be experiencing symptoms and are unaware they how young, fit or healthy you are, you can still get the flu. Getting vaccinated is not just for your protection, but to ensure you don’t pass the virus on to others,” Ms Van Wyk says. Vaccination is needed on a yearly basis as not only does the protection level reduce over time, but the circulating influenza strains change and may not have been included in your last dose. “The vaccine works by helping your body to make antibodies that could be related to mesh complications. If you have one of these devices and are not experiencing any of the symptoms below then just leave it, be aware of the symptoms associated with mesh complications and monitor how you feel. One of the most important things is to make sure you have developed a good relationship with your GP and recognise the flu virus and prevent infection. It takes a few weeks for the body to produce these antibodies and will become your best defence against the flu,” Ms Van Wyk says. “Getting a flu shot needs to be a priority for all Kiwis before winter hits. It takes less than 10 minutes and can save you weeks spent in bed feeling ill,” Ms Van Wyk says. Pharmacists are now able to administer a range of vaccinations if you don’t feel as if you are being listened to, then don’t be afraid to change your doctor. There are so many wonderful doctors out there it is just a matter of finding the right fit. How do I know if I have a mesh complication? - Recognising the symptoms. • Pain- (pelvic, vaginal, back, groin, buttock -including referred pain against not only the flu, but meningococcal down leg). • Infection • Discharge • Difficulty urinating • Bleeding • Pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia) • New onset of auto-immune disorders • Difficulty sitting or standing. • Constant urinary tract infection What do I do if I am disease, shingles and whooping cough. worried my symptoms could be related to surgical mesh? Go back and speak to your GP or your original surgeon. If you are worried or feel that you are not being listened to ask to be referred for a second opinion. For further information on surgical mesh. http://meshdownunder. co.nz/ Ms Van Wyk says: “We strive to be an integral part of the communities in which we operate and a place where customers can trust they will receive professional care and advice at a time that’s convenient to them.” Go to www.flushot. co.nz to find your nearest pharmacy and to fill out an online consent form. 1 Southern Cross Wellness in the Workplace Survey 2015 2 Civil Defence Emergency Management Group
national <strong>Grey</strong>power mAGAZINE » june <strong>2016</strong> 31 Auckland SuperGold cardholders – get your SWAP to AT HOP pack. From 1 July <strong>2016</strong> you will need to have an AT HOP card loaded with a SuperGold concession to enjoy your SuperGold public transport concession. Everything you need to do is outlined in Auckland Transport’s helpful SWAP to AT HOP pack. If you haven’t already got your pack, go to AT.govt.nz/supergold an AT Customer Service Centre, your nearest AT HOP retailer or call 0800 AT GOLD (0800 284 653). Terms of use and registered prospectus for the AT HOP cards are available at AT.govt.nz/athop or at the Transport Information Centre, Britomart. The obligations of Auckland Transport under the AT HOP cards are unsecured. ATHOP1789
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