Celebrating Older People
“The New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) celebrates the increase in the proportion of older people
within our communities” said Judy Hindrup, Convenor of the NZCCSS Services to Older People Policy Group. “New Zealanders
are living longer than ever before and this has resulted in more older people contributing to the richness of our
society”.
“New Zealand’s universal superannuation scheme means that most older people do not live in poverty. This support along
with our tax funded health services has contributed to a healthier and longer lived elder population”, said Trevor
McGlinchey, NZCCSS Executive Officer. “These supports for older people are extremely important and we must ensure that
their value is not eroded over time”.
“We celebrate the lives of our elders and commend the current and previous governments for the policies that have led to
the current and projected increase in the proportion of older people in New Zealand’s population. However, we must also
focus on other vulnerable New Zealanders”, said McGlinchey “Too many of our children continue to live in poverty as
consecutive governments have decided that children should not be the recipients of the same level of support that older
people receive”.
“With the tax cuts that commence today an opportunity to increase the incomes of beneficiaries and low income workers
has been passed over in order to give the better off New Zealanders a greater level of income”, said McGlinchey. “This
means that the many children who live in these families will continue to suffer the impacts of inequality and decreased
opportunity”.
“NZCCSS member agencies provide support for our older people. They know the ongoing and valuable contribution our elders
make to their families, their communities and our New Zealand society” said Judy Hindrup. “This International Day of
Older Persons provides us with the opportunity to recognise and honour this ongoing and valuable contribution from our
older people”.
ENDS