North Canterbury News: September 14, 2023

Seniors seek unity
By DAVID HILL,
Local Democracy Reporter
Across­party agreement on aseniors
policy is unlikely to happen after this
year’s general election.
Grey Power North Canterbury
president Jan Pentecost challenged
candidates, at an election meeting at the
Rangiora RSA Club earlier this month,
about whether they would be willing to
enter into across­party agreement after
the election so seniors did not ‘‘become
apolitical football’’.
But the candidates from National,
Labour, Act, New Zealand First and
Democracy NZ indicated this was
unlikely to happen.
National Party candidate Matt Doocey
said he had experience with multi party
agreements through the cross party
working party on mental health he
established with Labour, Green, Act and
Te Pāti Māori MPs.
But he had his doubts about finding
common ground on seniors policy.
‘‘We would be open to these guys
coming to us and supporting raising the
retirement age to 67.’’
National remained committed to
pegging the pension to 67 percent of the
average wage.
Mr Doocey said it was ‘‘paramount on
any government to reduce the cost of
living’’, while health care was also in his
sights.
‘‘It is heartbreaking to hear the stories
of seniors and young parents will have
health issues in the middle of the night
and they have to drive past the Rangiora
Health Hub and head into the city for
emergency care.’’
Labour Party candidate Dan
Rosewarne said MPs ignored the over­
65s at their peril.
‘‘In the future it will be one­in­three
people over age 65 and you all tend to
vote, so it would be silly for anyone to
run counter to that.’’
But he said Labour did not support
National’s policy to raise the retirement
age.
Mr Rosewarne said the winter energy
payment, removal of $5 prescription
charges and half price public transport
were all saving money for pensioners.
Removing GST on fruit and vegetables
would also leave more money in their
back pockets, he said.
Act Party candidate Ross Campbell
said the government needed to be
‘‘prudent’’ about its spending.
‘‘When Ilook around the room, Ican
see that people are living longer, so I
don’t want to look people in the eye and
tell them something Ican’t promise.’’
He said Act supported raising the
retirement age.
New Zealand First candidate Mark
Arneil said his party remained
committed to keeping the retirement age
at 65­years.
‘‘We are the only party looking after
you and we have consistently done that,
so when Ilook at the other parties Ican
see that across­party agreement isn’t
going to happen.’’
Democracy NZ candidate Gordon
Malcolm said his party was willing to
work any party on aseniors policy.
Public interest journalism funded
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NEWS
The North Canterbury News, September 14, 2023 31
Environmental awards
By SHELLEY TOPP
Environmentalawards celebrating
individuals, organisationsand young
people ‘‘doing amazing work’’ are being
championed by theWaimakaririWater
Zone Committee.
‘‘TheWaimakariri Water Zone
committee wants to celebrate those
contributingtowards the protectionofthe
environment, particularly its biodiversity
and waterways,’’ says committee member
Martha Jolly.
It is looking out for individuals or groups
who undertake,champion, or inspire
environmental protection, conservation,
or restoration, within the zone.
‘‘Youare our champions,’’Marthasays.
Many projects qualify for entrysuch as
wetland restoration, winning abattle
against weeds andpests to protect the
indigenousbiodiversity, or helpingyour
Lagoon
Pools
03 349 2160
0800 92 72 82
company’snativeroadside berm looking
awesome.
Applications and nominations can be
submittedonlineatletstalk.waimakariri.
govt.nz/environmental­awardsoremail
them to biodiversity@wmk.govt.nz
(Externallink) or deliver to any
WaimakaririDistrict Councillibrary or
service centre.
Thereare three categories.
Youth: 18 or under (could also be ayouth
group).
Individual.
Group/Organisation: commercial
companies, volunteer groups, Non
Governmental Organisations (whether
formal or informal).
Prizes include living giftsofnative
plants and vouchers towardstheir project
or future restorationwork.
Entries closeonMonday, September18.
Finalists willbenotified by October 9.
About Moving Forward:
Waimakariri’s Integrated
Transport Strategy
We are creating an integrated vision to meet
the transport challenges facing our District.
Have your say before 5pm Sunday 1October
at waimakariri.govt.nz/letstalk