Victor Luca
on behalf of Whakatāne District Grey Power

Grey Power is a nationwide association that focuses on advocating to Government on matters that are of important to its members, which mostly belong to the senior demographic.

That doesn’t mean we don’t welcome younger members and advocate on matters of general importance.

In fact, one of the main reasons I joined in the first place had more to do with Grey Power being instrumental in abolishing interest on student loans than advocacy for seniors.

The Whakatāne association is focusing on three main areas of advocacy including:

1) Functional and equitable health system.

2) Cost-of-living issues for seniors.

3) Accommodation for seniors.

In order to advocate effectively it is important to know what is going on in the community.

Our regular monthly meetings are all about hosting folk that come and share their knowledge on relevant topics.

On Friday next week, it is our pleasure to host Casey Costello, pictured, who is the minister for seniors and also the associate minister of health, two areas that are important to Grey Power.

Ms Costello leads the delivery of the “Better Later Life Strategy and Action Plan”.

The minister brings a strong background in public service, having served 14 years with New Zealand Police and later becoming the first woman elected vice-president of the Police Association.

She has also held leadership roles in the private sector.

Ms Costello is focused on supporting people to live well as they age, and ensuring older New Zealanders are valued and respected.

As Associate Health Minister, she is responsible for aged care and the Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group, which is currently looking at the changes needed to build a sustainable care system that is easier for people to access and navigate.

Ms Costello will give a presentation entitled “Living well in later life”, and then the event will move into conversation and refreshments.

The Better Later Life Action Plan, is Government’s long-term plan for supporting people as they age.

The minister will explain what this means for ageing well in the Whakatāne community.

Local organisations will be invited to share information about services that support wellbeing and independent living.

The event will be held at on Friday, February 27, from 10am to 12.30pm.

To accommodate a potentially larger audience, the venue will be the Liberty Centre located at 65 Wairaka Street behind the marae.

As always, all members of the public are most welcome.

For more info see our website: https://www.whakatanegreypower.com/