Thriving at every stage of life.
The Green Party will make sure older people and kaumātua are supported to live fulfilling lives.
Everyone deserves to be happy, connected, healthy and supported. But far too many older people are struggling to get by, put food on the table, pay the bills, and heat their homes.
Too many older people find themselves without the care and support they desperately need, and many have no one to turn to. More and more older people are finding their superannuation doesn’t cover the essentials like food and rent.
The Green Party recognises kaumātua for the experience, knowledge, and wisdom they contribute to their communities, whānau, hapū and iwi.
We will restore and uphold the mana of our kaumātua, prioritise elderly well-being, and support and strengthen services for elderly people, including kaupapa Māori services.
People working in aged care are underpaid, overworked, and their jobs are insecure. Our plan will increase pay for people working in aged care and address staffing shortages.
The time is now to make Aotearoa a place where our older people are supported with everything they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives.
Our plan
- Ensure public and community housing provides for the needs of senior citizens, and increase funding for papakāinga housing for kaumātua.
- Provide integrated community health services to support the wellbeing of kaumātua, including public housing designed for extended whānau, elder abuse prevention, and free enduring power of attorney services.
- Maintain universal superannuation for all New Zealanders 65 years and older, with a $16 a week increase in after-tax payments from fairer tax settings.
- Review the Retirement Villages Act to ensure it upholds the rights and interests of residents. Increase funding for aged care to provide for fair wages and address staffing shortages in aged care facilities, and work towards direct public provision of aged care.
- Require retirement homes to keep 25 percent of their housing available as affordable rental units for seniors.
- Create and adequately resource a long-term strategy to improve dementia treatment and care services.