New Zealand First

Leader's Letter

September 2006

Delivering a Supergold Future

Saturday 11 November saw the launch of the much-anticipated Supergold Card - a dedicated seniors card which will deliver real and meaningful benefits for our seniors.

New Zealand First made this card a central feature of its 2005 election campaign. It became a critical part of our negotiations with the Government and our subsequent Confidence and Supply agreement. And we are delighted to be able to say that from August next year, the Supergold Card will be in the pockets and purses of seniors across the country.

The card will be sent automatically to all those who qualify for New Zealand Superannuation (including those receiving the non-qualified spouse entitlement) and Veterans pensions. The Supergold Card will replace the community services card and the Super Card. It will improve affordable access to quality health and elder care, and provide easy access to a variety of Government concessions that allow our seniors to retain their valued community involvement, and to maintain their independence.

It will also provide discounts for everyday commercial goods and services, and a directory of these goods and services will be available when the cards are scheduled for release in August. The launch of the card coincided with the beginning of a campaign to bring businesses on board as "Supergold Card business partners’. Given the initial interest expressed by large and noteworthy businesses, we are confident that the seniors will be able to enjoy significant discounts on a wide range of goods and services.

The card will also have an optional photo ID. We want to ensure that the card is both easy to use, and adaptable to your day-to-day circumstances. New Zealand seniors have made, and continue to make, a huge contribution to our country. They deserve to be treated with dignity and we are now able to take a concrete step down that path by providing them with a Supergold Future.

Key Information on the Supergold Card

The Supergold Card is a concession card for New Zealand residents who are 65 or over, or who qualify for NZ Superannuation or a Veteran's Pension.
It will provide commercial discounts from participating businesses, and easy access to concessions on Government and local authority services.
The card will be credit card sized. It will carry the holder's name, a number and whether the holder receives NZ Super or a Veteran's Pension, or has a Community Services Card. A photograph for ID purposes is optional. Associated legislation will be introduced this year. Funding for the card's implementation and operation has been made available. The card will be available in August 2007.
About 540,000 people - including around 15,000 under the age of 65 - will be eligible to receive the card.
It will be sent automatically to people receiving NZ Super or a Veteran's Pension, and to people aged 65 or over who receive a benefit. Other residents aged 65 plus will qualify for the card, but will need to apply.
Cardholders' spouses who are under 65 will be able to access the commercial discounts.
Veterans will receive a specially branded Supergold Veterans Card.
There will be no change to existing NZ Super entitlements.
Those interested in finding out more about the new card, can call the Ministry of Social Development's initial freephone information line on 0800 25 45 65. Further information on the scheme is also available on the MSD website (www.msd.govt. nz). Businesses interested in being part of this programme can contact MSD on 0508 65 00 00 or on the MSD website.

Main Index

Ends

New Zealand First
Parliament Buildings, Wellington
Phone: (04) 471 9292 Fax: (04) 472 8557
info@nzfirst.org.nz

Authorised by Doug Woolerton, 7 Chelsea Place, Chartwell, Hamilton