‘It’s my money they’re stealing’
The New Zealand Government is being accused of taking money from superannuitants with an overseas pension.
Waikato man and expat-Brit Paul Norfolk is one of the estimated 170,000 Kiwis affected by an act of Parliament that sees their overseas pension entitlement being used to subsidise their New Zealand Superannuation.
‘‘It’s unfair, I have lived in this country for 34 years and have made a contribution to the New Zealand economy,’’ said Norfolk.
But where Norfolk has run foul is while living and working in Cambridge, he has also paid into the British National Insurance Scheme.
‘‘I paid into the scheme, The British Government never contributed but because Section 70 of the NZ Social Security Act 1964 says people cannot be paid two pensions, I miss out.’’
Norfolk said for every dollar a pensioner receives from an overseas pension, the New Zealand payment is reduced by a dollar.
‘‘There needs to be some consistency, for example why is it politicians after three terms can collect a Parliamentary pension as well as New Zealand Super, and we can’t collect what we are entitled to,’’ he said.
He believes there are plenty of people living in New Zealand in the same situation.
Norfolk is now a part of the executive of the newly formed political party, The New Zealand Seniors Party.
Party spokesperson Barnaby Perkins said a group of 25 pensioners met in Wellington in June to discuss pension deductions and agreed to form the party and intends to field candidates in next year’s general election.
‘‘It was a political problem and it needed a political solution,’’ he said.
‘‘They are educated and bring a lifetime of experience and knowledge to the table, and they are certainly capable of taking an active role in the running of their own country.’’
Norfolk is hoping to rally support for the party in the Waikato by speaking to interested groups, starting in Cambridge.
The party’s executive met in Cambridge recently to plan its strategy for the region.
The party has views on the euthanasia and medical marijuana debates.
The New Zealand Seniors Party requires 500 paid members before it is recognised as a political party.