Christopher Luxon meets one of the residents at the Malvina Major retirement village in Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
National will increase superannuation each year and its tax cuts and plans to bring inflation under control will further benefit seniors, finance spokesperson Nicola Willis says.
Willis and party leader Christopher Luxon have been visiting the Malvina Major retirement village in Khandallah in Wellington for their first campaign stop of the day.
Willis said National intended that super payments would continue to be linked to 66 percent of average after-tax incomes.
Tax cuts would see couples on super get an extra $26 a fortnight. Single people living alone would get an extra $17 a fortnight.
Other National policies affecting seniors:
- Continue free prescriptions for Super Gold Card holders, as well as reduce wait times for surgery, specialist appointments and cancer treatment
- Lift the age for free breast screening from 69 up to 74, saving up to 65 lives a year, and funding extra cancer medicines
- Continue the Winter Energy payment and keep the super age at 65 until 2044
She promised that the retirement home residents, like the rest of New Zealanders over the age of 65, would benefit if her party took over the reins of government after 14 October.
"National knows the best way to increase super payments is to grow the economy. The last National government grew super at twice the rate of inflation. That's what a growing economy and low inflation does.
"National values the contribution seniors have made to the country and we will make sure they are looked after in their retirement."
Nicola Willis at the retirement home where she has been talking super and tax cuts with residents. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
She criticised Labour's management of the economy that has resulted in high inflation and a recession.
As part of National's plans to rebuild the economy, it would prioritise removing red tape, improve infrastructure such as roads and keep talent in New Zealand.
"A working economy means better jobs, higher incomes, affordable mortgages, and a lower cost-of-living. It also means New Zealand can afford the quality public services we all rely on."
While Luxon was addressing the residents, he was asked by one if National believed the Treaty of Waitangi still had any relevance.
Luxon said it did because it was the country's founding document. He reiterated National's opposition to co-governance in national public services. "We do not want two systems. We want one system of public services," he told his audience.