The SuperGold card is entering the digital era, with the launch of an app and an upgraded website.
Photo: 123rf
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Minister for Seniors Tracey Martin have announced changes aimed at making the benefits of the card more accessible to increasingly tech-savvy over 65s.
Ms Martin said that seniors really value the SuperGold card, particularly the travel concessions and shopping discounts.
"The reality is, however, it hadn't been supported or maintained and it was harder and harder for people to know where they could use it. This government has done something about that after investing $7.7 million into the card in this year's Budget," she said.
The changes include a revamping of the website and updating the details of businesses, creating an app for smartphones so that people can find where deals are when they're out, and working to increase the range of discounts available.
Ms Martin said the upgrade process "saw 500 new businesses sign up, including companies such as Qantas, Countdown, Spark, and The Warehouse".
"I'm hoping this is only the start. Businesses now have a much better way of connecting with SuperGold customers and any of them are free to join," she said.
Mr Peters said the app and upgrade launch delivered another important commitment in the Coalition Agreement.
"The SuperGold card had been neglected by the previous government so plenty of work was needed to supercharge it. That has been achieved, and it's going to help make it easier for seniors to get a bit more out of their superannuation," Mr Peters said.