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This month our Minister has been meeting many new faces and getting settled into her new role. We publish details on the annual increase to NZ Superannuation and Veterans pension payments, the start of the Winter Energy Payment and provide advice on travelling overseas while on Superannuation and what you need to be aware of. We also hear about MoneyTalks and the free budget advice they provide.
With Anzac Day coming up we share a neat article on ‘The History of the Poppy’. We get an update on how one of the successful Elder Abuse Prevention Fund projects is coming along.
We talk about pharmacies and the many services they offer. It’s also time to get your annual flu jab and the new COVID-19 booster you can get at the same time. You can also find out how to download a free balance exercise app, Nymbl.
Dr John Small the new Chair of the Commerce Commission introduces himself.
For those of you living in regions impacted by the recent floods and Cyclone we have provided contact details of some of the key services that are available to support you, along with information on funding available to community organisations.
We have also included a story on Parkrun – a free, community event where you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate every Saturday morning.
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| From Minister for Seniors Ginny Andersen |
It’s been a busy start to the year, and the government has been working hard to provide support to communities.
In my new role as Minister for Seniors I have been out and about meeting new faces and forging new connections. I’ve visited Christchurch Age Concern and Menzshed; there’s nothing quite like getting out there amongst people and to hear what is important to them.
My heart goes out to all those who have been affected by the recent weather events. It will be a long road ahead to recover, but we’ve been working to provide on the ground support and will continue to do so.
I was in Whangārei recently and was able to hear about the impacts first hand, and how services are working round the clock to support people impacted by the floods.
In March, I had the pleasure of launching the Senior Enterprise Pilots, which will support people aged over 50 with innovative business ideas to advance their ideas to the next stage of development.
I look forward to visiting places where these programmes are running over the coming months. You can find out more about the initiative on the Office for Seniors website.
In other news, there is a new Covid-19 booster available. I encourage you all to get boosted. The new bivalent vaccine will replace the existing Pfizer booster and is considered likely to be more effective against Omicron subvariants.
While you are at it, don’t forget to book your annual flu jab with your GP or local pharmacy. You can get this done with your booster. And watch out for the Winter Energy Payment which will start again from the 1st of May.
Stay warm.
Ngā mihi,
Ginny Andersen
Minister for Seniors |
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| Annual increase to NZ Super |
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New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran’s Pension payments are adjusted each year to reflect increases in the cost of living, inflation, and the average wage.
From 1 April fortnightly rates have increased to:
- $879.58 each before tax or $763.64 each after ‘M’ tax, for a married person or partner in a civil union or de facto relationship.
- $1,157.34 before tax or $992.74 after ‘M’ tax for a single or widowed person living alone.
- $1,064.86 before tax or $916.36 after ‘M’ tax for a single or widowed person sharing accommodation.
Your payment for 11 April (paid on 7 April due to Easter Monday) will be partly paid at the new rates. Your first full payment at the new rate will be in your pay for 25 April (paid on 22 April due to Anzac Day)
For a full summary of the new rates, tax codes and other changes that may impact you (such as Family Tax Credits, or Unsupported Child Benefit rates) visit the link below. |
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| Winter Energy Payment |
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The Winter Energy Payment is starting again on 1 May.
If you get NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension, you will be entitled to get the Winter Energy Payment all winter, from 1 May until 1 October. The payment is made automatically, you don’t need to apply.
Your payment due on 9 May will include a part Winter Energy Payment. Your first full Winter Energy Payment will be paid to you in your payment due on on 23 May.
Couples and people with dependent children will get $31.82 a week. Single, and widowed, people will get $20.46 a week.
Couples will receive a combined payment which is made to one person in the couple – unfortunately we can’t split it, but we can switch it to the other person’s account. Please get in touch if you want to do so.
The Winter Energy Payment is to help with the cost of keeping your home warm and dry, and other costs over winter.
Everyone getting NZ Super and Veteran’s Pension is entitled to this payment. If you don’t want to receive this payment – you can opt out (or opt back in at any point) by using the 'Stop or restart Winter Energy Payment' online form. You can also call the Senior Services contact centre on 0800 552 002 or visit your local Work and Income service centre.
Receiving the Winter Energy Payment while travelling overseas
If you’re heading away from New Zealand over the winter months, or you are already overseas during 1 May, you can keep getting the Winter Energy Payment for up to 28 days (or four weeks).
It’s important you let MSD know if you’ll be away for more than 28 days, otherwise your payments will be wrong and you may have to pay some money back.
The easiest way to let MSD know about your travel is using the ‘Overseas travel dates for NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension’ online form, or giving them a call on 0800 552 002. Don’t forget to get in touch when you return from your travels so your payment can be started again.
You can find out more on the Winter Energy Payment below.
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| Anzac Day - The history of the Poppy |
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Here is an article written by Levin RSA Historian, Linda Fletcher.
The familiar red poppy has been a symbol of remembrance in New Zealand for 101 years.
It’s one of those funny little quirks of history, New Zealand’s Poppy Day sets it apart from the rest of the world.
While New Zealanders wear poppies to remember the fallen on Anzac Day, April 25, you will see poppy sellers on the streets in England, Canada and Australia in November to mark Armistice Day known as Remembrance Day
The reason for this is simple.
The poppies were made by widows and orphans in France and the ship bringing them to New Zealand arrived too late for arrangements to be made to sell them for Armistice Day in 1921.
The New Zealand RSA decided to hold them over until Anzac Day the following year, 1922, a decision that set us apart from the rest of the world and gave us our own unique Poppy Day.
The first Poppy Day in New Zealand, April 24, 1922, was a “brilliant success” with many centres selling out of their supply of poppies.
The New Zealand RSA imported silk poppies from France until 1927 and then from the Royal British Legion. Today the poppies are all manufactured by volunteers in Christchurch, and it is an almost year-long job to make the close to one million poppies required to support the Poppy Appeal.
The poppy we wear today has been through a number of design changes since the first silk ones, originally made in France, to the flat felt and then paper poppy designed by British Commander in Chief Earl Haig that is sold today.
Today knitted and crocheted poppies are being made in their thousands for Anzac Day displays.
The poppy is worn around the world in remembrance, but the red colour had no relevance to blood.
The poppy symbolises the wildflowers that were the first signs of life to grow in the turned soil of French and Belgium cemeteries. The poppies with their red, paper-thin petals were the only things to take root in the lime-rich soils contaminated by the battlefield debris.
Poppy Day has been the RSA’s major annual fundraiser for 101 years to provide welfare services for war veterans of all ages. It is held on the closest Friday to Anzac Day. This year it will be held on Friday 21 April 2023. |
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| Pharmacy - your community healthcare provider |
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There is a lot more to your pharmacy than dispensing medicines. Your local pharmacy provides a huge range of services and support and is a vital part of how healthcare is provided to every community in New Zealand.
For many, a pharmacy is the first place to visit when seeking a little bit more care in addition to looking after yourself and whānau at home.
Some of the services they provide include:
- Advice about your prescribed medicines and medicines you buy over the counter, such as when and how to take your medicines, should you take them with food, what if I forget to take my medicine?
- General health advice, including health conditions, minor ailments, and treating minor injuries, cuts and grazes
- Providing health checks such as blood pressure, blood tests for people on the medicine Warfarin
- Immunisations including COVID-19 and influenza (flu) vaccines
- Provision of COVID-19 antiviral medication without a prescription
- Providing medicine adherence (blister) packs for daily medicines reminder and convenience
- The safe disposal of expired medicines or medicines no longer needed
- Some pharmacies will also offer delivery services for people who can’t travel.
If you do not have access to the Internet, you can also call Healthline on 0800 611 116.
Healthline provides 24/7, free support for health, prescriptions for medicines, mental health and wellbeing questions. It has nurses, paramedics, Doctors and other advisors available. So if it is after-hours, you are away from home, you can’t get to your GP or pharmacist, or you are just unsure about something, they can help.
All pharmacists are trained and registered health professionals who play a vital role in Aotearoa’s health system. They complement the advice and healthcare provided by others including telehealth services such as Healthline and your local GP or medical centre.
Working together the three services of pharmacy, telehealth and your general practice provide your primary care needs.
Pharmacies in your local area can be found by searching Healthpoint website below. |
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| Advice on travelling overseas and your New Zealand Superannuation |
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With the international border reopened and the global environment settling into a new normal, you may be thinking about spending some time overseas. If you are planning an overseas trip, you may be entitled to continue receiving your New Zealand Superannuation (NZS) or Veteran’s Pension (VP) but there are a few important things to note before you go.
Travelling overseas for 26 weeks or less
If you travel overseas your NZS payments can continue for up to 26 weeks while you’re away provided you return to New Zealand within 30 weeks. You must remain ordinarily resident in New Zealand, meaning that you primarily live in New Zealand and consider it your home.
If you receive any other payments from the Ministry of Social Development, such as the Accommodation Supplement or Winter Energy Payment, these will stop if you are away from New Zealand for more than 28 days.
Travelling overseas for more than 26 weeks
If you intend to travel overseas for more than 26 weeks, you must apply for General Portability payments at least six weeks before you leave New Zealand. To be eligible to receive portable payments you need to have qualified for NZS in your own right and be ordinarily resident in New Zealand when you apply.
General Portability payments are not the same as your full NZS entitlement and instead reflect the number of years you have resided in New Zealand, meaning the amount you get depends on your individual situation.
We’re here to help
MSD’s International Services team specialise in paying New Zealand benefits and pensions overseas. They are the best people to contact for any questions about getting your New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension if you want to travel or live overseas.
For more information, or to make an application for General Portability payments, please contact our International Services team.
Telephone (from New Zealand): 0800 777 227
Fax: 04 918 0159
Email: international_services@msd.govt.nz
Website below: |
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| Prepare for the winter flu |
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As you get older, you're at higher risk of catching flu and developing complications. Your best defence is to get a free flu jab.
The flu can be serious and make people very unwell. It affects the whole body and can last up to a week or more.
All people aged 65 and over are eligible for the free flu jab. For the best protection, get the flu jab before the start of winter.
Many pharmacies offer the free flu vaccine. You can get also get your free flu jab from your GP or healthcare provider
New booster in time for winter
You are encouraged to get the flu jab at the same time as the new COVID-19 booster, to stay well this winter.
From 1 April, anyone 30 years or over will be eligible to receive the bivalent vaccine, as long as it has been at least 6 months since their last COVID-19 booster or positive COVID-19 test.
The new bivalent vaccine will replace the existing Pfizer booster and is considered likely to be more effective against Omicron subvariants. Bivalent vaccines work by combining 2 strains of a virus, which prompts the body to create antibodies against both strains, providing a greater level of protection.
Talk with your local pharmacy. You can find out more below.
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| Parkrun |
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An international movement, Parkrun is a free, community event where you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate. Parkrun is 5k and takes place every Saturday morning.
Parkrun is a positive, welcoming and inclusive event, there is no time limit and no one finishes last (there is a volunteer who is the tail walker). The tail walker is someone that trails at the back of the runners/walkers and ensures nobody comes in “last place”. Everyone is welcome to come along.
One star is 99-year-old Colin Thorne of Whangarei who on 21 Jan 2023 finished his parkrun in a record time of 51m 12s.
Colin took up running late in life, yet still managed to complete 50 marathons from the age of 64, and lost track of how many half-marathons!
There are around 40 parkruns/walks in New Zealand, you enter once and get a barcode that can be used worldwide.
Results are emailed out to entrants, usually within 2 hours of the last finisher. The whole event is run by volunteers. If you are unable to walk/run you are encouraged to become a volunteer.
Graeme is one park run attendee.
“For myself I get a real kick watching the families with young children who come along, also checking out where I finished in my age group, last week I finished 4th out of 8 men in the 70-74 age group.”
“After you finish 50, 100, 250, or 500 events you are able apply for a shirt commemorating the feat.”
“As there are no prizes, there is no fuss if you do not do the full course. On my local out-and-back course, we have had persons with disabilities go part way and then turn back. Their effort is admired as participation is the main object of a Parkrun.”
Parkrun is popular with many seniors and provides both health and well-being benefits.
To find out more on Parkrun you can visit their website below. |
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| Free budgeting service and advice |
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MoneyTalks is a free financial helpline available to help people who are struggling with their money. MoneyTalks provides a quick and easy way to get in touch with financial mentors who can provide free and confidential advice.
MoneyTalks also connect people and whānau with their local foodbanks, help individuals find their way through Work and Income processes and entitlements and support people to manage their money. Anyone can get in touch with the MoneyTalks team if you need help with day to day money matters like budgeting and debt management, it’s all free.
You can get advice by phone, online chat, text and email.
Calling: 0800 345 123
Online chat at www.moneytalks.co.nz
Texting: 4029
Emailing: help@moneytalks.co.nz
You can also check whether you qualify for other financial assistance through Work and Income. To find out online, go to the 'Check what you might get' website below. |
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| Reducing the risk of Elder Abuse |
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In May last year 11 organisations were funded to trial projects that focused on preventing elder abuse.
The Older Person Team (OPT) senior advocate role at Wesley Community Action in Wellington was one of the initiatives to receive funding. An experienced community worker engaged with some of their most vulnerable seniors over a period of four months.
They worked alongside 13 older people, supporting them to improve their financial safety and home environment. The work involved a wide range of interventions from slowly decluttering and cleaning homes to setting up automatic payments and planning the sale of a home and move to a retirement village.
Some of the clients suffer from dementia and other health conditions and have needed that extra added support when carrying out tasks. The project has gone so well Wesley have since hired another community worker to work full time with the team.
If you think you are being abused or have concerns about somebody you can contact the Elder Abuse Response Service.
Freephone: 0800 32 668 65
Text: 5032
Email: support@elderabuse.nz |
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| Dr John Small – Commerce Commission Chair |
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- How did you feel about being named the new Chair of the Commerce Commission?
I am extremely honoured to now have the responsibility of chairing Te Komihana Tauhokohoko and I express my deep gratitude to Anna Rawlings for her contribution as our previous Chair. While I am from the South Island – no te Waipounamu ahau – I am here for all Kiwis and am absolutely committed to doing my best, with the support of our wonderful team at the Commission, to help make New Zealanders better off.
- What's your ambition for the Commission?
I am a big believer that everyone stands to benefit when markets work well. That’s why our mahi matters and why we come to work every day. My aim as Chair is to promote and maintain a virtuous cycle that centres around connecting more Kiwis with the work that we do, so they can help us promote competition. This means we need to be more visible, so that New Zealanders better understand what we are trying to do, and why.
- Tell us about the big trends you see in commerce affecting Aotearoa New Zealand?
I’m very conscious of how pivotal the Commission’s role is in Aotearoa and of the increasing breadth and depth of our work. In the last year alone, two new regulatory regimes aimed at promoting competition in the fuel sector, and also retail payments system, came into effect. I see our expanding scope as a clear vote of confidence in the Commission, and in my new role I will be doing my best to validate that confidence, to support our people as we evolve further, and to actively represent our work to the public.
Just as the Commission is changing and our place in society is evolving, so too is commerce itself.
- Digital business models are reshaping our world, disrupting traditional markets and posing new challenges for policy makers and regulators.
- Climate change is also a very real challenge and opportunity globally, and for us here in Aotearoa New Zealand, with decarbonisation likewise forcing us to re-examine basic public utility industries such as electricity.
What has not changed is the fundamental desire of people to innovate, trade and prosper. That shows up in multiple ways, from a budget constrained working household trying their best to be informed consumers, through charitable non-profit organisations, to purely commercial enterprises. Competition does not solve every social problem – far from it. But everyone does benefit when markets work well and that’s why our work matters.
- What is the biggest lesson you learned growing up?
My personal experience as an entrepreneur from a very early age was somewhat mixed – plenty of failures and a few successes, but many valuable lessons. If failed internet start-ups are a badge of honour, put me down for three. My earliest memory of such things was selling plums at the gate to raise money for the holidays, and I bring all of these experiences to my role chairing Te Komihana Tauhokohoko and our efforts to make New Zealanders better off.
- Have you had any particularly interesting jobs?
I’ve worked in a couple of grocery warehouses, on farms and in factories, but one job that stands out was driving milk tankers in the 1980s, for the Karamea Co-op Dairy Company. I used to clock in about 5.30am and drive down as far as Punakaiki, then collect milk until I had 22,000 litres and haul it back over the Karamea Bluff Road. There were not many dull moments!!
- Do you think your time as an Economic lecturer was a good grounding for your role?
Yes, absolutely. I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with some top-tier economists. But what I take most satisfaction from when I reflect on the 10 years’ I spent lecturing economics at the University of Auckland, is seeing some of my students pop up around New Zealand and put their talent to work for the benefit of Kiwis and our country.
- What's it like living in Rai Valley, at the top of the South Island?
I love it! We’ve been regenerative dairy farming here for 14 seasons and deeply appreciate the native bush and clean rivers. We have our fair share of extreme weather events though, and only got mobile network coverage seven years ago. This gives me a first-hand appreciation for the Commission’s work to ensure ongoing prudent investment in our electricity and fibre networks and other infrastructure that powers our lives and livelihoods.
- Do you have a favourite proverb or Whakatauki?
Me mahi tahi tātou mō te oranga o te katoa… working together for the wellbeing of everyone.
There is nothing more powerful than te taura whiri (the stronger rope formed when we all work together). The Commerce Commission is building stronger links with Māori, not just because of our obligations with regard to Te Tiriti o Waitangi but also because of the very significant role Māori play in commerce, through established firms, entrepreneurship and, of course, as consumers.
Increasingly, the Commission’s work is that of a multi-functional regulator. As such, we will undertake even more collaboration with other agencies and continue strengthening our relationships with stakeholders. I look forward to fostering even deeper relationships with other organisations. |
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| Keep doing what you love with ACC's free digital balance app, Nymbl |
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ACC has launched a free balance exercise app, Nymbl.
Why Nymbl? Being in control of your health and wellbeing is so important for living a fulfilling life. Take control of your wellness by incorporating balance exercise into your lifestyle.
Nymbl enables you to regularly do balance exercises, wherever you are, whenever you want, improving your balance, and enabling you to keep doing the things you love.
Whether you want to improve or maintain your balance, the app will take you through simple body movements that are easy to fit into a daily routine. The programme is fun, safe, and quick – taking only 10 minutes a day to improve your balance.
The app is completely free and simple to use, and enrolling is easy. Step-by-step instructions show how to download and to use the app from a smart device.
Download the app to your device from the App Store or Google Play Store, take part in the app-lead balance activity regularly (10 minutes a day) at no cost and keep doing the things you love, right now. |
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| Support for communities affected by North Island Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle |
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On Monday 13 Feb, the Government announced a time-limited $11.5 million Community Support Package to help those affected by the recent North Island floods and Cyclone Gabrielle. The Community Support package for response and recovery efforts includes:
- Community Support Fund ($2 million)
- Provider Support Fund ($4 million)
- Food fund ($1 million)
- Support through Community Connectors ($4 million)
- Support for disabled people ($0.5 million)
The Community Support Package aims to relieve pressure on community groups and contracted providers so they can continue to deliver their response and recovery efforts for individuals, whānau and communities.
This Community Support Package funding is time-limited and only available until 30 June 2023. Community groups can find out more about the funding and apply here
Further help for those affected by the weather events is available at:
- Civil Defence website
- Temporary Accommodation service for those displaced can visit here
- Homeowners who have concerns about their claims or are unsure about the process can contact New Zealand Claims Resolution Service on 0508 624 237 or email: contact@nzcrs.govt.nz
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