New Zealand's superannuation scheme discriminates against Niueans, the island's premier says, explaining why he's withdrawn support for planned changes.
Photo: RNZI/Sally Round
The New Zealand government is considering changing the rules for people living in Niue, the Cook Islands and Tokelau so they do not have to live in New Zealand after the age of 50.
The current system requires people to have lived in New Zealand for five years beyond 50.
But Niue Premier, Sir Toke Talagi, said the current system and the planned change were discriminatory by implying the islanders, who are already New Zealand citizens, needed to move to the mainland to become true New Zealand citizens.
He said the rules were not fair to those people who wanted to stay on the island permanently.
Sir Toke said the rules fostered depopulation and undermined efforts to build the economy.