GREY POWER ACHIEVEMENTS
There have been discussion over a period of time from
members and associations re the effectiveness of the Lobby Team when they visit the many politicians, Ministries and other organizations whose actions directly have an effect on our membership. The Lobby Team is always the first to recognise that at the time of our visits, we do not know what the result will be, but the following is a list of some of the results that have been achieved.
1. Removal of the Surtax
2. Asset Testing Legislation being Phased Out
3. Lower doctors' Fees
4. Lower Pharmacy Fees
5. Removal Over 80's Driving Tests
6. Removal Simulated Driving Tests by Occupational Therapists
7. Lower Tariff Electricity
8. Superannuation Increased to 66% NATOTWW
9. Rate Rebate Scheme re-vitalised
10. Independent Superanuation & Income Centres
11. Improved Regulations for Rest Homes
12. Code of Practise for Rest Homes
13. Abolition of Interest on Student Loans
14. The National Superannuation Adjustment for the Tax Cuts in the 2008 Budget is a long awaited recognition by a major political party of the plight of the elderly reliant on NS.
15. Hearing aid subsidy increased
16. Rates Rebate Scheme indexed to CPI. Amount now $530 from $500 and threshold now $21,180 from 20,000
17. Spot Audits Rest Homes
18. Retention of Graduating Doctors - (Student Loan)
19. Lowering Electricity Increase for ETS
20. Retention of Super Gold Card Off Peak Travel-
21. Waiheke Island Ferry
The above is not necessarily a complete list of Grey Power achievements and the Lobby Team recognises that other Board Members also contributed to the gains specified. It is however, a list that could be used to increase membership.
The Student Loan achievement was recognised in a letter from the Co-President of the NZ University Students Association, Connor Roberts, and also by the Prime Minister in an address to the Students Association in 2006.
We are also mindful of the fact that there are many gains still to be made and that our members can be assured of our continued efforts on their behalf.
In addition to the above, Grey Power has been successfully involved in many outside committees in Energy and Health in particular. Hard of Hearing, Disability committees, NZ Specifications for conditions in Rest Homes,Community Support Services Industry Training Organization (CSSITO) for conditions for Home Care and Rest Home Workers, Health of the Older Person, (HOOP) and Electricity Commission Committees to give a few examples.
Les Howard
Grey Power Lobby Team
Annual General Meeting
Grey Power will be holding its AGM 2011 in Hamilton For more details contact your local Grey Power representative.
"Visual Personality of Organisation”
* Strong and active but not militant
* Friendly and mature
* Acts with dignity and integrity
* Having the wisdom of age
* Adds to the quality of life
* A positive organisation to be associated with.
Grey Power History
GreyPower is a voluntary organization founded some 20 years ago by a group of angry Superannuitants protesting against the imposition of surcharge on New Zealand Superannuation.
It first started in Auckland as the Auckland Superannuitants Association and was formed at meetings where people were very vocal in their protest and anger. This attracted a media presence.
At that time there was a media campaign against the current Government, so the meetings were well publicized which meant the movement quickly spread and further Associations were formed in other centres. This was instrumental in forming the Grey Power New Zealand Federation which, through the Board, is the Grey Power controlling body of some 76 Associations throughout the country, with up to 90,000 financial members.
The Board consists of President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, six Board members (all duly elected at the Grey Power Annual General Meeting) plus seven Zone Directors (elected by the associations in their Zone to represent their individual areas). New Zealand is geographically divided into seven Zones; the smallest Zone having five Associations and the largest twenty.
The Federation head office in Papakura, Auckland is staffed by 3 part-time employees. The main function of the office is to maintain a central database of members, provide contact points, organize any necessary travel arrangements/board meetings, and to provide all necessary material to the Associations.
Although the original reason for forming the movement was the surcharge on New Zealand Superannuation, while this was being vigorously pursued, activity was also taking place in the areas of health, electricity, human rights, publicity, social services, local bodies and law, order and justice. These areas of importance are allotted to Board members as Portfolios. Their responsibility is to chair a sub-committee with the mission of progressing the aims and objectives of Grey Power. Details of the portfolio holders and the various associations can be accessed on the Grey Power web site at www.greypower.co.nz
Membership enrolments are taken by the local Associations, many of which offer members a discount book for local purchases and have monthly meetings with guest speakers, Most Associations also have a three monthly newsletter outlining items of interest, plus every three months the Federation provides to each House-Hold, a 24/28 page tabloid type Lifestyle Quarterly magazine.
Our funding is by capitation fee, paid by our Associations from members’ subscriptions.
Grey Power as a whole is an advocacy group. With various members spending approximately a week every two months in Wellington talking to the people that have the power to make the changes.
One of our main concerns is the level of superannuation for some, it is difficult to have a fulfilling life on the current level of payment.
Further concerns are with the health system and the ever-escalating cost of electricity. From a poll of our members, we determined that the cost of electricity was their major concern, as it is monthly and seems to be more expensive each time. With a fixed income such as New Zealand's Superannuation, when prices for energy such as electricity and petrol escalate, then something else has to be forgone; sometimes food or clothing or worst of all, adequate heating in the colder regions during winter.
In the area of health there are three problem areas that affect the elderly; Failing sight caused by cataracts; onset of diminution in hearing and
