Grey Power not restricted to just the elderly
Grey Power is no longer just for those going grey – both young and old are being enticed into the organisation with promises of discounted petrol and electricity bills.
The 60,000- strong organisation advocates on issues affecting over-50s, but lower North Island zone director Kilian de Lacy said there was an outdated perception that membership was for only the elderly.
‘‘People assumed that because we lobby for issues affecting the over-50s, you had to be that old to join – but you don’t.
‘‘It makes sense that we open up to younger members because everyone is going to get older and the more advantages we can get government to look at for older people . . . these will benefit the oncoming generations as well.’’
Grey Power Electricity, run by retailers Pulse Energy, launched last September and already has about 10,000 customers signed up for discounted unit prices.
The federation has picked up about 8000 paying members since then.
Members have told de Lacy they are saving up to $100 a month on their bills.
She and husband Bruce Twidle’s electricity bill last month was just $75.
Members are also able to sign up for one of Far North Fuels’ petrol cards, which gives them a discount of between 4.5 per cent and 9.5 per cent at Mobil, Caltex and BP stations.
Grey Power members also get a 25 per cent discount on Interislander ferries.
It costs $20 a year to belong to the Mana Tawa Grey Power Association.
A spokeswoman at Grey Power’s national office said the numbers ebbed and flowed, but membership had dropped off from a peak of about 90,000 in 2009 and was now picking up again.
The federation does not keep a record of members’ ages so it could not say if it was younger members joining, though de Lacy said it was likely a mixture.
‘‘It’s a real mix – there’s some older, but a lot of younger ones, too.
‘‘Not necessarily 18-year-olds, but those in their 40s, 50s, mothers of families.’’
Some associations around the country had been struggling to attract members willing to step into local leadership roles, de Lacy said.
‘‘It’s not a huge commitment in terms of time, but people seem unwilling to step up.’’
De Lacy said the organisation lobbied for the needs of older people, and was not affiliated with any particular political party.
This year’s priorities were elective surgery, superannuation and affordable local body rates and de Lacy said the organisation would work with whoever in Parliament supported older people.