Rotorua Grey Power March 2018

Rotorua 

magazine 

March 2018 

Photo credit: Blue Lake 

Rotorua, by Miriam Ruberl 

Grow Grey Power Rotorua 

Invite a friend to join or gift an annual 

membership to someone you know 

Payment by cash, cheque, internet transfer. 

We do not have EFTPOS. 

ROTORUA GREY POWER 

HAD 1866 MEMBERS 

AT JANUARY 2018

Lake View Dental Laboratory Rotorua 

Flexible partial dentures 

Full dentures 

Denture repairs 

Metal and acrylic partial dentures 

Valplast partials 

We only use high quality materials and techniques to produce a natural lifelike 

denture that our patients will enjoy wearing for many years to come. 

Book in for a free consultation and quote with Mike. 

Mike Cusin, reg Clinical 

Dental Technician 

40344 

(07) 348 DENTURES (3483368) 

1180 Amohia Street, Rotorua, 

2 Rotorua greypower News – March 2018 

opposite Central Pharmacy

From the president 

New Year greetings to you all, although we 

are already into February. 

RUSSELL HALLAM QSM 

President, Grey Power Rotorua 

Grey Power Rotorua is 

back to business for the 

year, the office reopened 

after a break for the festive season, 

and we have welcomed 

some new volunteers. 

Meetings with our local 

Members of Parliament are 

being organised where we will 

discuss issues that are of interest 

and concern to us. 

February 3 brought about the 

first hundred days or our coalition 

Government, and probably 

predictably, the targets set for 

this period have generally been 

achieved, or are in the process 

of being so. 

Some of these are of particular 

interest to us in The Third 

Age. 

The Healthy Homes 

Guarantee Bill passed into legislation 

sets minimum standards 

for health and safety for rental 

properties. This should have a 

big impact on the health of the 

many older persons living in 

rented accommodation that do 

not currently meet this standard. 

No more sales of state houses, 

the banning of overseas 

2018 Grey Power Rotorua 

Events - for your diary 

As we go to print for this edition of our magazine, the Grey 

Power Committee is still considering venue options for our 

2018 members’ forums and our Rotorua Annual General 

Meeting. 

As usual we had a members’ forum scheduled for March, but 

our preferred keynote speaker has advised he is unable to 

attend. Because this magazine is our main way of advertising 

our forums, we have cancelled the March date. 

speculators from buying existing 

houses, the new Affordable 

Housing Authority and the Kiwi 

Build programme all promise to 

make housing more affordable 

and accessible. 

The payment to superannuitants 

by way of the Winter Fuel 

Package, starting July 1 will be 

of benefit to many. 

The Ministerial Inquiry into 

the mental health crisis may 

identify flaws in the current system, 

and provide relief and support 

for those in need of such, 

providing any recommendations 

to do so are actioned. 

Grey Power supported the 

legislation to make medicinal 

cannabis available to the terminally 

ill. It is important to 

note, this legislation only provides 

for the availability of recognised 

medicinal cannabis, by 

medical practitioners, and does 

not include that which is home 

grown. 

To protect The New Zealand 

Superannuation for this, and following 

generations, Government 

will resume contributions to the 

New Zealand Superannuation 

Russell Hallam 

fund this coming April. 

The raising of the minimum 

wage may have the positive 

effect of stopping the exploitation 

of older workers seeking 

employment. There could also 

be the further benefit of raising 

the average weekly take 

home pay of workers, which 

should contribute to a rise in 

New Zealand Superannuation 

payments. 

These are the intended, or 

possible effects on our lives 

from the ‘first hundred days’. 

Only vigorous advocacy will 

ensure the benefits will happen. 

Kia ora, kia kaha, kia 

manawanui. 

However please mark the dates below in your diary now, and 

topic and venue details will be confirmed in our next issue 

[due late May]. 

Monday, 25 June 1pm 

Monday, 23 July 1.30pm 

Monday, 1 October 1.30pm 

Sunday, 18 November, noon 

Grey Power Rotorua AGM 

Grey Power Members’ Forum 

Grey Power Members’ Forum 

Grey Power Christmas Lunch 

Thinking about selling? 

Want ? 

- I can help to discuss your options 

on selling or purchasing. 

- I am constantly exceeding my 

Vendors expectation on their sold 

price. 

- I work for my Vendors. 

Don’t Delay, Call Sue Today! 

69 Lake road, Ohinemutu, Rotorua 

Fax: 07 349 6622 | Phone: 07 349 6633 

Email: daybreakcare@xtra.co.nz 

Sue Baker AREINZ 

LICENSED SALESPERSON REAA 2008 

Residential Sales 

M: 027 430 4900 

DDI: 07 349 8085 

E: sue@rotoruaproperty.co.nz 

Rotorua greypower News – March 2018 3

Hello again – to all our 

computer users 

This article is directed 

to our members who 

use computers. 

WIELAND HARTWIG 

Grey Power Rotorua Committee 

A 

few months ago I wrote 

an article to highlight the 

importance – or not – of 

looking after our electronic data: 

photos, videos, emails, love letters, 

etc. from our past. They are 

important, not only to us, but 

also to family members. Some 

family members may not care, 

others may be VERY interested 

in where 'they' came from. My 

focus, then, was on backing up 

our digital stuff. 

Today I’m writing about all 

the funny digital stuff you want 

to keep – or not – for all the ones 

after you. 

Young people are busy. Same 

as we were at that age. Yet, 

as people settle down they may 

want to look back at where they 

came from, how their grands 

lived, or their grand grands. 

As time goes on, these memories 

are harder to find and people's 

roots/memories will get 

more and more 'fuzzy'. – My 

brother is a real internet sleuth. 

He found a photograph of one 

of my grand-grand-grand fathers 

from the 1870s. Quite a feat! 

– Photography was only invented 

about 25 years before that. 

My great-great-great father must 

have been one of the early real 

'geeks' at the time. 

Going back to more information 

on how we NOW manage 

our 'electronic will' is the focus 

of this article. 

The Ministry Of Seniors has 

this to say... my interpretation... 

A digital will is a list of all 

your digital assets, where they 

are stored and the username or 

email address you signed up 

with. This information helps 

your loved ones to know what 

services you are signed up to 

and cancel the accounts when 

you die. 

Choose someone competent 

with technology that you trust to 

be your digital executor. 

Their job involves emailing, 

organising logins and scanning 

documents (some services 

require your death to be verified). 

Once your digital assets are 

retrieved, the digital executor 

can ask for the account to be 

closed or blocked. Some services 

– such as Facebook – will never 

delete anything and your lovedones’ 

Facebook history will live 

forever unless you arrange otherwise. 

Facebook has the facility to 

appoint a Facebook Executor to 

operate eg. announce your death, 

or close your account forthwith 

as you direct. 

Creating a digital will may 

not be your preferred way to 

spend an afternoon, but spending 

the time to do it now will save 

those close to you unnecessary 

stress and difficulties. 

Your digital assets may be 

• email accounts 

• bank accounts 

• social media accounts 

(Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, 

Flickr) 

• music and video accounts 

(iTunes, Spotify, Flickr) 

• general storage of photos and 

videos on Dropbox, G-drive, 

MyDrive and iCloud 

• online shopping accounts 

(TradeMe, eBay) 

• computer systems and mobile 

device backups 

As a – non-electronic – version 

we can offer you our 'Why 

Keep It Secret' booklet that you 

can keep at home or with your 

loved ones where you can physically 

note down the placement 

of your will, instructions for your 

lawyer, bank details, passwords 

and log-in details and much 

much more. We sell it for a modest 

$5 as a Rotorua Grey Power 

fundraiser at the office when you 

come in (or via the internet on 

our website). 

We are open Tuesdays to 

Thursdays, 10am to 2pm. The 

office is just behind Spotlight on 

Eruera Street. From March to 

May we are also open on Fridays 

at the same times. 

NEW MEMBER APPLICATION 

Grey Power Rotorua Inc. PO Box 414 Rotorua 3040 

SURNAME 

Mr 

Mrs 

Miss 

Ms 

FIRST NAME/S 

PARTNER’S NAME 

Mr 

Mrs 

Miss 

Ms 

ADDRESS 

SUBURB 

POSTCODE 

EMAIL 

PHONE 

1 year subscription 

(April-March) 

Single $20.00 Couple $30.00 Donation 

Please indicate if you do not want your details to be used for promotional or advertising mail 

PAYMENT 

OPTIONS 

Cheque - Payable to Grey Power 

Rotorua Inc. Post to Grey Power 

Rotorua PO Box 414, Rotorua 3040 


Grey Power Office - Come in, complete a membership application form and pay by cash or cheque 

No 

Internet Banking - Complete and submit application form on our 

website www.greypowerrotorua.org.nz And pay by internet banking. 

Bank account details on our website. Include reference NEW 

WE DO NOT HAVE EFTPOS

Exciting new discount offering 

for recreational painters 

Some years ago now a survey of the 

population of Bay of Plenty revealed that 

some 90 percent (yes 90 percent) of the 

population regard themselves as involved in 

recreational arts in some way. 

It’s like this number has now 

increased with the growth 

of those over the age of 65. 

Which means a lot of people 

would like to learn to paint, or 

improve their skills, and experience 

the sheer joys of spending 

time painting. 

Discounts for private watercolour, 

acrylic and oil painting 

classes are being offered 

by artist Miriam Ruberl, Grey 

Power Rotorua’s current magazine 

coordinator. Miriam leads 

classes throughout the country, 

and has exhibited and sells her 

work internationally. 

Her work can be seen in 

many Rotorua and Bay homes, 

at Facebook account Miriam 

Ruberl Artist, and www.miriamruberlartist.com. 

Known for 

her abstract work in locally harvested 

red ochre, Miriam thoroughly 

enjoys the challenge of 

creating the illusion of reality 

on paper and canvas, and supporting 

others to achieve the 

results they aspire to. You will 

be supplying your own materials 

– Miriam can help you select 

and buy those that best suit 

your aspirations if you are just 

starting out. 

Offer for Grey Power 

Rotorua members only : 

Artist Miriam Ruberl 

$35 for 1 hour, $50 for 2 

hours, per person - a discount of 

15% on non-member rates 

$35 per person per hour with 

a 20% discount for groups of 

two or three that meet in her 

home or yours by arrangement 

Gift vouchers for the above 

are also available 

Miriam can be contacted at 

027 2487542 or miriam.ruberl@ 

gmail.com 

Workshops on painting 

weathered textures in watercolours 

and acrylics are planned 

for March in Taupo (Art School 

Taupo) and Tauranga in April 

(Tauranga Society of Artists) 

– Miriam can provide contact 

details for those interested. 

For sale from Grey Power Rotorua 

Why keep it Secret? 

Power Rotorua 

Power Rotorua 

A practical 24-page booklet which 

allows us to record all our vital 

information to help those left behind 

when we die. 

After seeing a similar booklet 

ecret?” 

published by Southern Cross Health 

ecret?” Care many years ago Rotorua Grey 

ooklet which Power allows us member to record Murray all our Guise vital information took on 

ind the task of reproducing the contents 

ooklet 

when 

which 

we die. 

allows us to record all our vital information 

ind when we die. 

– with additions and amendments – 

booklet published then by kindly Southern gifted Cross the booklet Health Care to Grey many 

booklet 

rey Power 

published 

member Power by Rotorua. Murray 

Southern 

Guise 

Cross 

took 

Health 

on the 

Care 

task 

many 

of 

tents 


– with 

member 

additions 

Murray 

and amendments 

Guise took on 

– then 

the task 

kindly 

of 

tents 


– with 

Rotorua. 

additions We’re now and on amendments our 4th reprint – then to cover kindly 

rey Power Rotorua. costs including increased postage, 

th reprint] To 

“Why 

cover 

Keep 

costs 

it 

including 

Secret?” 

increased 

is priced at 

postage, 

$5 

” th is 

reprint] 

priced at 

To 

$5.00 

or cover 

or 

$4.50 costs 

$4.50 

per including 

per copy 

copy for increased 

for 10 or more. 

10 or more. postage, 

” is priced at $5.00 or $4.50 per copy for 10 or more. 

aching, it could be a practical stocking-filler. 

As Murray says in the foreword 

aching, it could be a practical is stocking-filler. 

the foreword “Nothing is surer than death and taxes”. 

taxes”. While none of us wishes 

the 

es to 

foreword 

dwell on 

“Nothing 

either, “Why 

is surer 

Keep 

than 

It Secret?” 

death 

allows 

and taxes”. 

us to 

ortant to dwell on either, “Why Keep It 

es to dwell 

information 

on either, 

so 

“Why 

those 

Keep 

responsible 

It Secret?” 

for carrying 

allows us 

out 

to 

Secret?” allows us to document all 

ortant 

advised. 

information so those responsible for carrying out 

advised. 

our important information so those 

responsible for carrying out our wishes 

are clearly advised. 

Purchase Order for Booklet 

GREY POWER 

GREY ROTORUA POWER INC. “Why Purchase keep it Secret?” Order for Booklet 

P O Box 414 

ROTORUA INC. 

Rotorua 

P O Box 

3040 

414 

“Why keep it Secret?” 

Payment must accompany order 

Rotorua 3040 

Contact phone: 

Payment must accompany order 

SEND TO: 

07 346 1739 

Contact phone: 

07 346 1739 

SEND 

Name: 

TO: 

Cheques payable to: 

Name: 

Grey Power Rotorua Inc. Postal 

Cheques payable to: 

Address 

Grey Power Rotorua Inc. Postal 

Address 

. 

. 

Internet banking: 

. 

Complete order form at our 

Internet banking: 

. website 

. 

www.greypowerrotorua.org.nz 

Complete order form at our 

. website 

and pay by internet banking. 

www.greypowerrotorua.org.nz 

Include reference WKIS 

and pay by internet banking. 

Postcode 

Purchase Include reference at our office WKIS 

Cash/cheque payment 

Postcode 

Purchase at our office 

Cash/cheque payment 

QTY DESCRIPTION UNIT PRICE TOTAL 

QTY DESCRIPTION UNIT PRICE TOTAL 

Booklet “Why keep it Secret?” 

Booklet “Why keep it Secret?” 

$5.00 per copy or $4.50 each for 10 copies or more 

[Includes Postage & Packing] 

$5.00 per copy or $4.50 each for 10 copies or more 

[Includes Postage & Packing] 

WE DO NOT HAVE EFTPOS 


Citizens Advice Bureau 

Rotorua – not sure? Ask us 

It’s amazing the variety of questions the 

volunteers at the Rotorua Citizens Advice 

Bureau get asked every day. 

Mind you, our catch phrase 

is “Not Sure? Ask Us!” 

So our 60 trained volunteers 

are rarely surprised at the 

type of information or advice our 

clients ring or visit the office for. 

We are a local community service 

where our 60 trained volunteer 

workers provide a wide range 

of free, confidential and impartial 

information or other help on 

any matter. We provide information 

on anything from relatively 

straightforward matters – like 

phone numbers for shops or other 

community services to complicated 

issues around neighbourhood 

disputes, employment rights, tenancy 

or consumer issues. 

We certainly hope that no 

problem is too big or too small. 

Our Cabnet database and the 

CAB website – www.cab.org.nz 

enable our volunteers to access a 

huge amount of local and national 

information, contacts for a myriad 

of clubs and organisations and 

legal information. In addition we 

have a huge range of pamphlets 

and fact sheets that clients can 

access when they visit the Bureau. 

As well as giving advice and 

information the Rotorua Bureau 

offers a whole range of other services. 

These include: 

• Specialist Beneficiary 

Advocacy – a team of trained 

volunteers can assist clients 

who, for whatever reason, 

have trouble communicating 

with Work and Income or who 

do not know what their entitlements 

are. 

• JP Clinics – on Mondays and 

Wednesdays between 12 noon 

Our volunteers have all these pamphlets they can use to advise clients. 

and 1.30pm and now also on 

Fridays between 11am and 

12.30pm – kindly supported 

by a team of local JPs. 

• Free legal service – by 

appointment two times each 

week – again supported by the 

local legal fraternity. 

• Information for new migrants 

to help them settle into the 

Kiwi way of life. 

• Trained volunteers who can 

provide specialist employment 

advice, tenancy advice and 

ADVERTISING 

consumer advice. 

PROOF 

• Fortnightly Immigration 

Advice clinics – by appointment 

with a local immigration 

advisor. 

• A basic CV writing service. 

• A free telephone for local 

calls. 

• A fax service. 

• Assistance with filling in 

forms, writing letters etc. 

With the phase out of Yellow 

Pages, we anticipate we will 

receive more calls from people 

who are unable to access telephone 

numbers and contacts – 

and our team of volunteers will 

certainly be pleased to help with 

these inquiries. 

This year we will be celebrating 

our 40th anniversary of 

providing information, advice and 

support to the local community. 

This is a huge milestone and 

confirmation that the Bureau is a 

trusted, reliable and much needed 

part of this community. To contact 

the Bureau visit our premises 

at 1143 Eruera Street. We are 

CUSTOMER PARKSYDE OLDER PERSONS PUBLISHING 21/10/15 

SALES REP Jason Fox PUBLICATION ROTORUA REVIEW 

DESIGNER OUTSOURCER SECTION FEATURES 

PROOFED 16/10/2015 10:09:39 a.m. SIZE 14.8X10 

AD ID 6865636AH FAX 

PLEASE APPROVE THIS AD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. NOTE THAT ANY ALTERATIONS 

MUST BE FINALISED BY OUR MATERIAL DEADLINE. 

open Monday to Friday from 9am 

to 5pm or you can telephone 0800 

367 222 or 348 3936, or email 

rotorua@cab.org.nz. 

Remember, our advice is free. 

Not getting it could cost you 

though. 

25% off 1 pair 

for over 60s 

when purchasing from the $169 

range or above 

Rotorua: 

1211 Eruera St, 349 2020 

specsavers.co.nz 

When you select 1 pair of glasses from the $169 range or above. Cannot be used in conjunction 

with any other offer. Frames available while stocks last. Price correct at time of print. © 2018 

Specsavers Optical Group. 


6865636AH 

Parksyde... For the youthful +55 

www.parksyde.org.nz 

Parksyde.....For the youthful +55 

www.parksyde.org.nz 

Meet with friends for lunch in our restarant and 

enjoy any of the activites we have to offer: 

• Tai Chi • Line dancing • Square dancing 

Meet • Zumba with friends gold • for Cake lunch decorating our restaurant • Table and tennis 

• Indoor 

enjoy 

bowls 

any of 

• 

the 

Embroiderers 

activities we 

• 

have 

Housie 

to offer: 

• Travel club 

Dance Fitness • Bokwa Fitness • Tai Chi • Line Dancing • Zumba Gold Cake Decorating 

• Canasta • Scrabble • Card games • Mah Jong 

Table Tennis • Indoor Bowls • Embroiderers • Housie • Travel Club • Card Making • Card Games • Mah Jong 

B2474H 

Parksyde 

Event Centre for the 55+ 

Our menu is posted on our website daily. 

Hours: 9am – 3pm | 9 Tarewa Place 

Ph: 348 9892 | www.parksyde.org.nz


Garden security 

Before I start, I am not a gardener. I am 

writing this article due to recent thefts of 

garden ornaments, pots etc. To help prepare 

this article I have consulted with the Rotorua 

Police and local garden centres along with 

checking things on the internet. 

BRUCE QUEDLEY 

Co-ordinator - Neighbourhood 

Support Rotorua 

I 

received a call, just before 

Christmas, from an upset lady 

who had her garden ornaments 

stolen overnight. It was 

not that they were new additions, 

they had been in her garden 

for years. Local children used to 

come and look at them, not touch, 

just look. But one night someone 

stole a number of these prized 

garden ornaments. 

This is a reflection of similar 

tales of people losing ornaments, 

pots, planters and furniture from 

their gardens. It got me thinking, 

what can be done to reduce the 

likelihood of theft and also, in 

case of theft, identifying stolen 

items if they are found? 

First, when you purchase a 

new ornament for your garden, 

take photos of it and mark it 

with an invisible marker pen 

or with paint underneath or by 

engraving it, if the material is 

suitable. Include your markings 

in the photos. These photos and 

markings will help you describe 

what has been stolen and also 

offer a means of identification. 

Remember to photograph and 

mark your old ornaments/pots/ 

furniture too. 

In planning your garden placement 

of ornaments and pots, place 

them so they can be seen from the 

house and are not hidden from 

your view. If parts of gardens are 

hidden, it gives thieves places to 

hide from the house and the road. 

Affix your ornaments to 

immovable objects. This can be 

done by attaching a ring, which 

is screwed and glued into the 

Ornament’s base at its back, away 

from sight, and then right behind 

where you are going to place it 

hammer in a piece of reinforcing 

rod with a loop on it or hook similar 

to a heavy duty tent peg. Then 

connect the ring and loop/hook 

together. This will make it hard to 

pick up the ornament. If you need 

to move the ornament release the 

connection that you have used 

and in the new location repeat the 

installation process. 

Similarly, you could secure a 

pot/ornament/planter with a high 

tensile weatherproof wire to a 

ring which could be attached to 

Continued on page 12 

Responsibility for MY 

safety starts with ME 

Revise the road rules 

and learn how to 

keep driving safely 

Tuesday 10 April 2018 

Wednesday 9 May 2018 

Thursday 14 June 2018 

9.30am – 2.30pm 

Parksyde Community Centre 

FREE 

ROAD 

SAFETY 

UPDATE 

for over 65’s 

Phone Rotorua Lakes Council 

on 348 4199 to register 

8 Rotorua greypower News – March 2018

Spot the difference 

Are you a Grey Power Rotorua member 

who enjoys Grey Power Electricity via Pulse 

Energy and who pays your power account 

online? Great! This is for you. 

JUDY GREEN 

Treasurer - Grey Power Rotorua 

As treasurer of Grey 

Power Rotorua, again 

I appeal to members 

who are also customers of Grey 

Power Electricity and pay via 

internet banking, to make sure 

you select the correct payee both 

when setting up your power payment, 

and making payments. 

Every month Grey Power 

Rotorua receives deposits in its 

bank account meant for Grey 

Power Electricity. For you this 

means your power payment is 

delayed, and for Grey Power 

Rotorua volunteers it means considerable 

extra administration 

time as the process of identifying 

the incorrect payments and 

refunding them begins. 

So, before you make your 

next power payment, please help 

us by checking your list of payees 

in internet banking and distinguish 

Grey Power Rotorua 

Inc. [to whom you pay your 

annual subscription] from Pulse 

Energy, who supplies your electricity/gas] 

under the brand Grey 

Power Electricity. 

The correct bank account 

name is shown on your invoice 

as: Pulse Energy Alliance LP. 

We know occasionally mistakes 

happen, and as soon as we 

identify a deposit meant for Grey 

Power Electricity, I get in touch 

with the member. Often they 

are unaware of their mistake, or 

trouble ensues because the company 

considers the bill unpaid. 

Grey Power Rotorua offers 

two options for refunding an 

incorrect deposit of funds: 

Direct credit to your bank 

account if you provide your 

bank account number to Grey 

Power Rotorua OR a cheque 

will be posted to your address. 

Via direct credit we can process 

the refund within three 

working days of identifying the 

incorrect deposit in our Grey 

Power Rotorua bank account. 

Refunds by cheque take five 

working days plus postal delivery 

time and clearance. 

So once again, we implore 

you to give us a break by being 

extra careful when you set up 

your power payment in internet 

banking. An alternative worth 

considering is to pay Pulse 

JOKE 

Judy Green 

Energy by direct debit - a secure 

and convenient way to pay your 

monthly invoice. 

Thank you for your attending 

to this chore. 

I don’t want to say I’m old and worn 

out, but I make sure I’m nowhere 

near the curb on trash day. 

v 

FUNERAL PLANS 

Today more and more people are changing the way they think 

and find that it makes a lot of sense to join a Funeral Plan. 

PRE-PAID OPTIONS 

A Pre-Paid Funeral with The Cornerstone Pre-Paid Funeral Trust 

can help relieve the burden of an inevitable event that affects our 

loved ones emotionally and financially. Arrange and pay for your 

funeral long before it’s needed. 

We are leading providers of funeral 

services to the families of Rotorua. 

Serving our community since 1981. 

YOUR PREFERENCES 

Knowing that your preferences have been noted, you have 

complete peace of mind that your wishes will be duly carried out. 

Should your circumstances or preferences chance, you are able to 

modify any of these arrangements at a later date if you wish. 

Phone: 07 348 3600 · 197 Old Taupo Rd, Rotorua 

Email: info@osbornes.co.nz · www.osbornes.co.nz 

FUNERAL DIRECTORS 


Busy year ahead 

FLETCHER TABUTEAU 

NZ First, List MP Rotorua 

I 

am very much looking forward 

to the challenges 

and opportunities my new 

responsibilities bring with being 

the Under-Secretary to both the 

Minister of Foreign Affairs, 

Rt Hon Winston Peters, and 

also the Minister for Regional 

Economic Development, Shane 

Jones, as I engage with people 

and organisations who have 

ideas and plans to grow business, 

jobs and dignity in our 

regions and provinces. 

There are so many people 

who share a vision for growing 

our provinces, they now finally 

feel that they are in a place to 

talk to a government that shares 

their passion and is ready to 

listen. 

Another key event that 

occurred before Christmas was 

my Private Member’s Bill, The 

KiwiFund Bill, being drawn 

from the Parliamentary Ballot. 

It is due to be introduced to 

Parliament in the next few 

weeks. 

This KiwiFund Bill establishes 

an independent working 

group with the objective to set 

up a government-owned and 

operated KiwiSaver provider, 

known as KiwiFund. It is intended 

that the working group would 

first examine the accountability 

of current KiwiSaver providers 

relating to complaints of charging 

exorbitant fees, unethical 

investments, and profiteering. 

The working group made up 

of 4–5 specialists across banking, 

savings, and financial fields 

would advise establishing a 

KiwiFund based on broad principles 

such as: 

• a lower and transparent fee 

structure; 

• a government owned and 

operated KiwiSaver scheme; 

• a requirement that profits 

stay in New Zealand; 

• preferential treatment given 

to New Zealand-based 

investments; 

• a requirement that funds are 

invested in socially and ethically 

responsible ways. 

If passed into legislation, 

KiwiFund would be a 

cost effective and meaningful 

investment alternative for Kiwi 

savers and would complement 

the Labour-New Zealand First 

Government’s efforts to inject 

life back into our regions through 

New Zealand First 

Rotorua Office 

Fletcher Tabuteau List MP 

Office Hours: 10am -3pm 

Dropinorcall for an appointment 

07 347 4045 

Level6,Hinemoa Tower 

1154 Hinemoa St,Rotorua 

PO Box1561, Rotorua, 3042 

www.nzfirst.org.nz 

the Regional Development 

(Provincial Growth) Fund. 

Being part of the New 

Zealand First negotiations team 

during the coalition talks, our 

foremost consideration was to 

ensure that our common sense 

2 

9 

6 

FUNNIES 

The rain was pouring down. 

SUDOKU PUZZLE 

5 

2 

4 

9 

5 2 

1 

5 

9 

4 

3 

1 

policy ideas would be included, 

as much as possible given the 

election results. 

I am thrilled to be a part of 

this endeavour and look forward 

to helping those who have long 

sought to help themselves. 

There standing in front of a big puddle outside the 

pub was an old Irishman, drenched and holding a 

stick with a piece of string dangling in the water. 

A curious passer-by stopped and asked: “What are 

you doing?” 

“Fishing,” Replied the old man. 

Feeling sorry for the old man, the gent said: “Come 

in out of the rain and have a drink with me.” 

As they sip their whiskies, in the warmth of the 

pub, the gent, being a bit of a smart alec, cannot 

resist asking: “So how many have you caught 

today?” 

“You’re the eighth,” replied the old man. 

3 6 7 

Easy Level 

The rules of Sudoku are that you should fill a number in to 

every cell in the grid, using the numbers 1 to 9. The restriction 

is that you can only use each number once in each row, each 

column, and in each of the 3x3 boxes. Solution page 14 

4 

1 

4 

8 9 

5 

1 

4 

1 

7 

2 


Looking back in history: the 

birth of Grey Power Electricity 

MAC WELCH - Z3 Director Chair – Commercial Agreements 

Grey Power electricity started with an idea 

from Bob Thompson, a past president of 

Grey Power Matamata, which he followed 

up with a phone call to the manager of Tiny 

Mighty Power Company who were very 

actively promoting themselves in Waikato at 

that time. 

The reception he got 

was very positive so he 

arranged an initial meeting 

and invited me to accompany 

him. Initial discussions 

were very positive and so Bob 

approached then Federation 

President – Roy Reid for his 

blessing for Bob and I to progress 

negotiations to the next 

level, which was given. After 

a couple of meetings with Tiny 

Mighty Power it became plain 

that this company did not have 

the capacity or the coverage to 

enter into the nationwide power 

supply that we were looking for 

Grey Power Electricity to be. 

Once we all agreed that this was 

the case, Toby Warren – (manager) 

Tiny Mighty Power provided 

an introduction to the senior 

management of Mighty River 

Power (the parent company) of 

Tiny Mighty Power Company. 

Several meetings took place 

over an extended period. In fact 

these discussions were subject 

to a ‘Confidentiality Agreement’ 

which remains in force. I cannot 

divulge much of the discussions 

that took place other than to say 

that all parties appeared enthusiastic 

to form some kind of supply 

arrangement. At what Bob 

and I considered to be the eleventh 

hour, Mighty River Power 

indicated that they did not wish 

to proceed any further and terminated 

negotiations without 

explanation. 

Shortly after, I was asked by 

president Roy to become a member 

of a committee consisting of 

Allen Davies, Terry King and 

myself. King and Davies had 

started negotiations with Pulse 

Utilities NZ Ltd and requested 

that I become part of the negotiating 

team. Once negotiations 

were complete and contracts 

agreed to, they were approved 

by the Grey Power Board and 

signed on their behalf by Roy 

Reid – Federation President. 

Grey Power Electricity came 

into being at the end of 2013. 

Grey Power Electricity 

is managed by a committee 

consisting of three members 

appointed by Grey Power 

Federation Board and three 

members appointed by Pulse 

Utilities NZ Ltd (which is now 

Pulse Energy Alliance LP). 

Currently the Pulse committee 

members are: Gary Holden - 

CEO; Sharnie Warren – GM 

marketing and communications 

and Yogesh Chand. Grey Power 

Committee members are: Roy 

Reid – Federation treasurer; 

Mac Welch – Zone 3 director/ 

chair – commercial agreements 

and Allen Davies – co-chair 

energy. 

Grey Power Electricity has 

been and continues to be the 

most successful commercial 

arrangement that Grey Power 

Federation has entered into. 

The monies contributed to 

Federation funds have enabled 

capitation fees to remain very 

low at $5 incl. GST. It has also 

attracted several thousand new 

members to the Grey Power 

organisation. 

From the desk of your MP 

HON TODD MCCLAY 

National Party, MP for Rotorua 

NZ National Party Spokesman for 

Trade and State Services. 

One hundred days since the 

change of government 

and already there’s been 

a lot of water under the bridge. 

Promises made during the election 

campaign seem a long time 

ago - most have been quickly forgotten. 

Referendums on reducing 

the size of parliament or removing 

the Māori seats have disappeared. 

In their place Labour, the 

Greens and NZ First will now 

hold a referendum to legalise recreational 

marijuana. 

Rest assured National will 

hold the new government to 

account and making sure that they 

deliver for you, your children and 

your grandchildren. 

In Opposition our job is to 

fight hard for the values that 

really matter and ensure that the 

government does not fritter away 

the great gains made by New 

Zealanders over the last nine 

years. National recognises and 

respects the contribution that seniors 

have made to New Zealand 

and I am proud of our record of 

achievement for seniors in our 

country. 

Under National, the New 

Zealand Superannuation couple 

rate increased by more than 

$7000 a year from $24,062 in 

2008 to $31,216 in 2017. We also 

invested significantly in health 

and made it easier for seniors to 

access the healthcare they need, 

with a record high of 178,000 

hip, knee and other elective operations. 

These gains were underpinned 

by a strong and growing 

economy, which your children 

and grandchildren have also 

reaped the benefits of. 

The unemployment rate at 4.5 

per cent is now the lowest since 

the beginning of the global financial 

crisis. The number of New 

Zealanders employed has risen 

to a record high of nearly 2.6 

million and the average wage has 

increased to $59,840 – up more 

than 28 per cent over National’s 

time in office. This reflects the 

hard work of all our businesses 

and the confidence they’ve had in 

our economic plan over the last 

nine years. 

The new government has 

inherited a strong labour market 

and it is National’s intention to 

ensure they don’t squander the 

opportunities New Zealanders 

have worked so hard to create. 

We are not prepared to let 

a Labour-Greens-NZ First coalition 

risk everyone’s future and 

take us backwards. There is far 

too much at stake. National’s 56 

talented and dedicated MPs will 

work tirelessly to ensure that New 

Hon Todd McClay 

MP for Rotorua 

Stop by my office, make an 

appointment, or call for a chat 

E 

A 

P 

rotorua.mp@parliament.govt.nz 

fb.com/ToddMcClayMPforRotorua 

1301 Amohau Street 

07 348 5871 

toddmcclay.co.nz 

Authorised by T. McClay, Parliament Buildings, Wellington. 

Zealanders continue to get ahead, 

while holding the government to 

account for any decisions that risk 

the progress New Zealanders have 

made in recent years. We remain 

ambitious for New Zealand and 

we remain committed to building 

a stronger, more confident and 

more prosperous nation. 

I hold constituent clinics in 

my Rotorua office each Friday. If 

you’d like to meet call Tracy or 

Michelle to arrange a time, phone 

07-3485871. 

Authorised by T.McClay. 

Parliament Buildings. Wellington 


Garden security 

From page 8 

a permanent rod, ring or similar 

and set into a concrete pad or 

path. All ornaments also could 

be looped together with a high 

tensile weatherproof wire through 

the fitted loops, which could be 

concealed just below the surface 

of the garden and loop around an 

immovable object such as a fence 

post or tree. 

Ornaments and planters can 

also be cemented in place, either 

on a cement pad as part of a path 

or with a below ground pad from 

poured quick-setting cement. 

Attaching an object to another 

can also be done with a glue 

such an epoxy resin. But remember 

once in place they won’t be 

moved easily. 

Those with hanging baskets 

could secure them to their hanger 

with wire to make it difficult to 

take down. Remember that you 

may want to move the baskets 

to repot etc. so use a method that 

you know how to undo. 

You may consider fencing to 

Start the year with 

fresh, clean curtains 

Here’s an excellent curtain 

cleaning deal for Super 

Gold Card holders. 

Ray and Lynn Kelly offer 

discounts and don’t charge for 

pickup and rehanging for card 

holders. 

Question: Don’t know what 

to do with your curtains that 

are stained with mould, mildew, 

cigarette smoke or just getting a 

bit grubby and need freshening 

up? 

Ray and Lynn can clean 

all curtains including thermal 

drapes. 

Their system of cleaning 

curtains works equally well 

We clean all 

curtains 

(Thermal backed included ) 

Roman blinds Austrian blinds 

cedar blinds 

ALL CLEAN CURTAINS 

Phone Ray and Lynne Kelly 

on 07 349 3736 or 027 495 0892 

make it difficult for intruders to 

enter but remember that it also 

offers a place to hide. If you do 

erect a fence, plan it so there are 

no areas where intruders can gain 

cover. Also trim back trees and 

shrubs so they do not provide 

cover for thieves. 

Lighting is also another area 

to look at. Security lighting can 

deter intruders who do not want 

to be seen. The lights can be 

connected to a motion sensor so 

will turn on if there is movement. 

Work with someone who knows 

what they are doing about lighting 

so as to have it set to trigger 

by a person moving and not trees 

or animals. 

Solar garden lights can also 

be used but they are also targeted 

by thieves. These too can be 

looped together with a high tensile 

weatherproof wire loop. 

Don’t forget your garden and 

patio furniture. Secure them with 

steel wire/cable or chain so it 

becomes difficult to move individual 

items without moving the 

lot. 

for Roman, Austrian or 

vertical blinds. 

They don’t use heat in the 

cleaning or drying so shrinkage is 

kept to a minimum or none at all. 

They also clean Cedar and 

PVC Venetian blinds. 

Most people deliver the 

curtains to Ray and Lynn but 

they offer a removal and hanging 

service. 

Also offered are repairs and 

alterations to curtains and Roman 

blinds. 

Contact Ray and Lynn 

Kelly, 18 Jade Place, Rotorua. 

Phone: (07)349-3736 or mobile: 

(027) 495-0892 

Drop off at 18 Jade Place 

Rotorua or call us to pick up 

We also do alterations to curtains and make new 

Advertorial 

40109 

If you are the subject of garden 

ornament theft, immediately 

report it to the police. Provide 

them with the time you last saw 

the item and a good description of 

the item including photos and any 

markings. If you have security 

cameras fitted check to see if the 

thieves have been caught on the 

recording and supply the recording 

to the Police as well. 

Check with your insurer to see 

if garden ornaments, pots, planters 

and furniture are covered. The 

photos and description of markings 

are also good for insurance 

IT’S THAT TIME! 

records. 

In conclusion, the methods 

described will not prevent all 

thefts, but will make it difficult 

to move the items. Thieves generally 

do not want to have to 

struggle with something which 

allows time for them to be seen. 

Check with garden centres for 

other possible security methods 

and suitable methods for attaching 

rings/loops to an object. 

Above all enjoy your gardening 

and garden including your 

ornaments, pots, planters and furniture. 

Your Grey Power Rotorua subscription 

for 2018/19 is due by April 1, 2018 

Enclosed with this magazine is a yellow invoice 

relating to your Grey Power Rotorua annual 

subscription to March 31, 2019. 

Members who have joined since January 1, 2018 will 

not receive an invoice for 18/19. 

The 2018/19 subscriptions remain at $20 single; $30 

couple. 

Please consider making a donation to Grey Power 

Rotorua when you pay your subscription. 

If you are a Grey Power Electricity customer early 

renewal is vital so you continue to receive the benefit 

of discounted electricity/gas. 

As payments are processed, a 2018/19 membership 

card will be posted to you, or if you pay at the Grey 

Power office, you will be given your new card/s. 

Please bring the remittance advice section of your 

invoice with you so we can verify your membership 

number. 

PAYMENT OPTIONS 

• Use the subs renewal form on our website 

www.greypowerrotorua.org.nz and pay by internet 

banking. Use your Grey Power membership number 

as your reference and specify RENEWAL. Bank 

account details are on the website. 

• Send your cheque with the remittance advice section 

of your invoice to: Grey Power Rotorua, PO Box 414, 

Rotorua 3040. 

• Call into the Rotorua Grey Power office at 1333 

Eurera Street, Rotorua. Tuesdays-Fridays between 

10am-2pm. Pay by cash or cheque. 

WE DO NOT HAVE EFTPOS 


Heating Solutions for 

you and your family 

It is the start of another year and because 

we are a heating business we obviously 

experience heavy workloads in winter. 

Our challenge is to 

encourage homeowners, 

who are thinking about 

upgrading or purchasing a new 

heating appliance, that the time 

is now to do that. There are 

numerous reasons why that 

makes sense but not least of 

all the processes like building 

consents and stock availability 

are at their slowest in winter 

months. Imagine the frustration 

when you have made a decision 

and are waiting for 2 months to 

experience the warmth and satisfaction 

of your new appliance. 

It kinda takes the shine off what 

should be a pleasant experience. 

We offer a consultation to 

installation service and this 

includes a free site visit where 

we correctly size the heating 

appliance and look at the location 

of the unit to ensure issues, 

if any, are dealt with on site 

prior to installation. 

Our team are suitably qualified 

in their fields whether it be 

woodfire, gas fire, pellet fire or 

heat pump and offer a comprehensive 

service backup to look 

after the requirements of that 

appliance for years to come. 

We have also been chosen 

for the 5th year by BOPRC to 

be a service provider for the 

HOTSWAP scheme which is a 

loan scheme where you can put 

the cost of replacing your old 

woodfire or open fire on your 

rates over 10 years. There is 

eligibility criteria for this but we 

can provide all the information 

and details at the office. 

From consultation to installation 

- we look after all your heating 

requirements 

ROTORUA 

HEATING 

SOLUTIONS 

ph 07 346 2694 

We supply and install: 

• Gas fires • Wood fires 

• Multi-fuel fires • Cookers 

• Heat pumps 

• Pellet fires 

• Rural fires 

• Open wood fires 

• Double-sided fires 

• Outdoor fires/Pizza Ovens 

• Diesel fires • Electric fires 

• Parts and servicing 

53 Fairy Springs Road, Rotorua 

sales@heatingsolutions.co.nz | www.heatingsolutions.co.nz 

B6237H 


New Families Package including 

the winter energy payment 

The Government has just announced its new ‘Families Package’ 

which affects older people as well as low and middle-income 

families with children and we have been asked by the director, Office 

of Seniors to let you all know that MSD clients will receive new 

payments automatically. People receiving a benefit and seniors don’t 

need to do anything new or different. 

JAN PENTECOST 

Grey Power Federation Secretary 

For your information here’s 

a quick summary of what’s 

included: 

A new Winter Energy Payment 

to help older people and people 

on a benefit heat their homes 

over winter. This will start on 1 

July to 30 September for 2018, 

and from 1 May to 30 September 

from 2019. Single people will 

get $20.45 a week, and couples 

or people with dependent children 

will get $31.81. 

A new Best Start payment to 

help all New Zealand families 

with a child born (or due) on 

CONTACT US 

GREY POWER, ROTORUA INC. 

OFFICE: 1333 Eruera Street, Rotorua 

(at rear of Age Concern premises, Ranolf St end of Eruera St) 

Phone: 07 346 1739 

Email: greypower.rotorua@gmail.com 

Office hours: 10am - 2pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and 

Fridays temporarily from 13 March - 4 May 2018 during the 

subscription renewals period. 

Grey Power Rotorua Inc., PO Box 414, Rotorua 3040 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2017/18 

PRESIDENT 

Russell Hallam 

Phone: 07 348 6034 

All inquiries: contact Russell 

SECRETARY 

Jennifer Francis 

Phone: 07 349 3185 

TREASURER 

Judy Green 

Phone: 07 357 5867 

COMMITTEE 

Sandra Greeks 

Wieland Hartwig 

Esther Johnson 

Damian Robertson 

Miriam Ruberl 

MAGAZINE COORDINATOR 

Miriam Ruberl 

If there are issues you would like Grey Power to take up, let your 

Committee know by phoning, contacting us via our website 

www.greypowerrotorua.org.nz or email. 

Your Grey Power Committee meets on the 3rd Monday monthly. 

Remember Grey Power when you change your contact details. 


or after 1 July 2018. Families 

will get $60 a week for each 

child until they turn one, and for 

lower-income families until they 

turn three. 

The Working for Families 

Family Tax Credit payments are 

increasing. From 1 July 2018, 

the eldest child rate will increase 

to $113 a week and the subsequent 

child rate will increase to 

$91.25 a week. The Orphan’s 

Benefit and Unsupported Child’s 

Benefit rate will also go up to 

reflect the increase in the Family 

Tax Credit. 

The Independent Earner 

Tax Credit is being reinstated. 

It means those earning between 

$24,000 and $48,000 will continue 

to get a credit of $520 a year. 

Increases to Accommodation 

Supplement and Accommodation 

Benefit on 1 April 2018. This 

HOLLY THOMPSON 

Kiwibank Senior 

Communications Specialist 

SUDOKU ANSWERS 

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was announced in May 2017. 

Maximum payments are being 

increased and some places 

will be moved into a different 

Accommodation Supplement 

area to show housing costs in 

some locations have increased 

more than others. There is a 

simple calculator on the Working 

for Families website for people 

to get an estimate of the likely 

impact of the Accommodation 

Supplement changes for them. 

Full information see https:// 

www.workandincome.govt.nz/ 

Changes in Kiwibank 

services at NZ Post 

In November, NZ Post gave 

one month’s notice to three 

franchisees that, due to health 

and safety factors, Kiwibank 

banking and agency services 

would be withdrawn. The 

affected franchisees are located 

in Otara, Rotorua West and 

Owairaka. In light of the Rotorua 

West franchise owners’ constructive 

engagement with Kiwibank 

and NZ Post, NZ Post extended 

9 

the time for withdrawal of services 

until 14 February 2018 

so that Kiwibank could engage 

further with the owners. 

A similar decision was made 

in relation to Otara. Kiwibank 

and NZ Post are also working 

directly with the Owairaka franchise 

owner but no extension is 

in place for this location as at 

today. 

The withdrawal of Rotorua West 

services has just been reversed 

and Kiwibank Rotorua West 

have been re-instated. 

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Rotorua Grey Power March 2018

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