In the red corner

Our Government is committed to lifting incomes and easing the pressure on New Zealanders. Since taking officewe have consistently delivered on this commitment, making changes that have helped to put money back into the pockets of those who need it.

Just this month we implemented a suite of changes that saw the majority of Kiwi families better off. This cost-of-living package delivered income increases to more than 1.4 million people – with about 855,000 superannuitants seeing their income lift by $52 a fortnight for a single person and $80 for a couple.

Superannuitants will see a further lift once our Winter Energy Payment starts again next month, to help with heating costs over the colder months.

However, theres’ no doubt that we are in a tough period. The entire world is dealing with high inflation as a result of Covid, supply chain issues, and the invasion of Ukraine.

And even though we can’t control what happens overseas, we can step in to help Kiwis get through. Following the global petrol price spike caused by the war in Ukraine, we moved quickly to cut fuel excise by 25c a litre and introducing halfprice public transport for three months.

We know this won’t solve everything, but if we can reduce this cost for Kiwis, then right now we should do that – and we are.

These measures sit alongside a range of other programmes designed to ease the pressure on older New Zealanders, such as cheaper doctors’ visits for Community Services Card-holders, as well as the work we have done to lift incomes for people before they retire, such as steadily increasing the minimum wage and passing equal pay legislation.

There is more to do but our changes are already making a real difference for superannuitants and families.

It is also important to our Government thatwe give people confidence that Superannuation will always be there when they need it.

That’s why we have committed to keeping the age of eligibility of Superannuation at 65. In fact, the Prime Minister has gone as far as to say she would resign before raising the age.

It’s also why we resumed contributions to the New Zealand Super Fund, which were suspended under the previous National-led Government, to ensure the sustainability of Superannuation and the current retirement age.

Because, unlike the National Party, we believe that’s what hard-working Kiwis deserve.