Grey Power (New Zealand)
Encyclopedia
Grey Power is a New Zealand
based lobby group formed to promote the interests of people over the age of 50.
s protesting against the New Zealand Government's proposed plan to apply a surcharge
on the New Zealand pension
. The group was originally based only in Auckland and were known as the Auckland Superannuitants Association. The media attention which their meetings gathered raised awareness of the group and similar organisations formed in other areas. This led to the creation of the Grey Power New Zealand Federation. The scope of the organisation has since changed and the group are now involved with any matter concerning those over 50, such as health care and subsidies.
to promise to "resign as Prime Minister" if he lowered the amount while elected. Grey Power are also actively opposed to the sale of state owned enterprises and have vocally opposed any political party suggesting the idea. They also lobby for better health care and a stronger but fairer justice system.
Grey Power have also opposed other political matters not strictly related to their policies, such as child discipline. Before it was passed into law Grey power were concerned about the effect of the Crimes (Substituted Section 59) Amendment Act 2007 on parents and caregivers.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
based lobby group formed to promote the interests of people over the age of 50.
History
Grey Power was formed around 1988 by superannuitantPensioner
In common parlance, a pensioner is a person who has retired, and now collects a pension. This is a term typically used in the United Kingdom and Australia where someone of pensionable age may also be referred to as an 'old age pensioner', or OAP. In the United States, the term retiree is more...
s protesting against the New Zealand Government's proposed plan to apply a surcharge
Fee
A fee is the price one pays as remuneration for services. Fees usually allow for overhead, wages, costs, and markup.Traditionally, professionals in Great Britain received a fee in contradistinction to a payment, salary, or wage, and would often use guineas rather than pounds as units of account...
on the New Zealand pension
Pension
In general, a pension is an arrangement to provide people with an income when they are no longer earning a regular income from employment. Pensions should not be confused with severance pay; the former is paid in regular installments, while the latter is paid in one lump sum.The terms retirement...
. The group was originally based only in Auckland and were known as the Auckland Superannuitants Association. The media attention which their meetings gathered raised awareness of the group and similar organisations formed in other areas. This led to the creation of the Grey Power New Zealand Federation. The scope of the organisation has since changed and the group are now involved with any matter concerning those over 50, such as health care and subsidies.
Policies
Grey Power lobbies for a tax-funded superannuation to be given to every New Zealander starting at the age of 65. Grey Power believe the payment should not be means tested but should include provisions for those living alone. This policy caused the group to oppose suggestions by the Retirement Commissioner to increase the superannuation age and led National Party leader John KeyJohn Key
John Phillip Key is the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand, in office since 2008. He has led the New Zealand National Party since 2006....
to promise to "resign as Prime Minister" if he lowered the amount while elected. Grey Power are also actively opposed to the sale of state owned enterprises and have vocally opposed any political party suggesting the idea. They also lobby for better health care and a stronger but fairer justice system.
Grey Power have also opposed other political matters not strictly related to their policies, such as child discipline. Before it was passed into law Grey power were concerned about the effect of the Crimes (Substituted Section 59) Amendment Act 2007 on parents and caregivers.