Peter Minten,
Membership secretary

Grey Power members are being pressurised by cost-of-living and health-access issues.

A significant portion of the Grey Power membership is trying to make ends meet with superannuation payments only.

Recent increases in (district) council rates, Whakatāne 9.1 percent, and electricity through raised line company charges have only created more pressure on those budgets.

Luckily, the average wage increases in New Zealand are still higher than inflation, meaning the superannuation payment is keeping officially still ahead of inflation but in reality, we know better: It is not.

Retirees belong to the cohort of people who are asset rich but cash (income) poor.

There are several ways to unlock the equity retirees own in their own home, but it has its pro’s and contra’s.

We will present different schemes that are available to retirees to release cash from the equity in their homes during the next Grey Power meeting.

A recent health issue that popped up is the charges for a medical examination required to maintain your driver’s licence when you are 80 years and older.

There is no universal New Zealand-wide charge and within the Whakatāne and Kawerau districts, the fee for a doctor varies between $35 and $135.

A whopping $100 difference for something which should be a standard medical examination.

A fee of $135 clearly exceeds the normal GP consultation fee, so there are already some concerns about age discrimination.

During the same next meeting, we want to hear from our Grey Power members.

Do we need to start a submission to Parliament?

Finally, we want to hear from our Grey Power members what their experiences are, or from persons they might know but aren’t Grey Power members, with in-patient ambulance transfers due to the lack of having an MRI at Whakatāne Hospital.

The Grey Power committee is investigating that practice and the impact it has on one’s health.

The next Grey Power meeting is on Wednesday, July 22 at 10am at the Knox Presbyterian Church at Landing Road, Whakatāne. After the meeting a cuppa will be made available for the attendees.

Grey Power Whakatāne hopes to see you there.