New voice for retirement village residents
The former seniors minister, Tracey Martin, who quit the NZ First party early this year, has been appointed to represent residents on the governing group of the Retirement Villages Association (RVA).
The association announced the appointment yesterday and said it was meeting its ‘‘blueprint’’ commitment to roll out a range of improvements for residents in retirement villages. It represents the owners and operators of retirement villages.
Martin has been appointed an independent member of the association’s executive committee. The role was designed to provide retirement village residents with an effective voice in the sector’s governance, the association said.
The appointment comes just over a month after Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson recommended to the Government an urgent review of the Retirement Villages Act and associated regulations.
Wrightson said residents had fewer consumer protections than tenants, the balance of power was in favour of village operators and that needed addressing and residents’ rights needed to be clearer and strengthened. Residents, through their lobby group, the Retirement Villages Residents’ Association, have been lobbying for changes to the Retirement Villages Act, for mandatory buyback of the licences to occupy within a short time and for capital gain sharing. Association president Peter Carr said the association had not been consulted over the appointment of Martin as a voice for residents and did not expect to be.
It was part of the operators’ attempt to persuade the Government to water down the Retirement Commissioner’s recommendation for a review of the industry and the legislation governing it.
The association would not expect operators to have a say in any of its appointments.
But they were informed that Martin might be appointed, Carr said.
The villages’ association opposes the review as unnecessary and excessive and has said the issues could be addressed through several improvements being made to meet best practice.
Martin said her ministerial role had inspired an interest in ensuring New Zealand met the needs of older people.
‘‘Retirement village living is clearly a popular option for many New Zealanders who value the community, companionship and security.
‘‘My job will be to bring an independent voice for village residents and ensure operators can continue to improve and evolve their offering, where practicable.’’ One of Martin’s first tasks will be to chair a series of regional forums.