Grey Power (New Zealand)

Grey Power is a New Zealand based lobby group formed to promote the interests of people over the age of 50.

History

Grey Power was formed around 1988 [cite web|url=http://www.greypower.co.nz/|title=Grey Power New Zealand - representing the over 50s|accessdate=2008-08-12|quote=... founded some 20 years ago ...|publisher=Grey Power] by superannuitants 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.cite web|url=http://www.greypower.co.nz/index.php?mact=Printing,m7,printpage,1&m7src_
|title=Representing the over 50s|accessdate=2008-08-12|publisher=Grey Power]

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 [cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10483182|title=Increasing super age 'needs to be debated'|accessdate=2008-08-12|date=2007-12-19|publisher=New Zealand Herald] and led National Party leader John Key to promise to "resign as Prime Minister" if he lowered the amount while elected. [cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10505649|title=Key pledges not to cut super if he becomes PM|publisher=New Zealand Herald|date=2008-04-23|accessdate=2008-08-12] Grey Power are also actively opposed to the sale of state owned enterprises and have vocally opposed any political party suggesting the idea. [cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10466125|title=Forget plan to sell assets, Grey Power tells National|publisher=New Zealand Herald|date=2007-09-27|accessdate=2008-08-12] They also lobby for better health care and a stronger but fairer justice system. [cite web|url=http://www.greypower.co.nz/index.php?mact=Printing,m7,printpage,1&m7src_
|title=Grey Power Policy Summary|accessdate=2008-08-12|publisher=Grey Power]

Grey Power have also opposed other political matters not strictly related to their policies, such as the Anti-smacking Bill. [cite web|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0703/S00237.htm|publisher=Scoop|title=Elderly Concerned About Bradford's Bill|date=2007-03-20|accessdate=2008-08-12]

Influence

Grey Power are billed as the "voice of the over 50s" [cite web|url=http://www.greypowernelson.org.nz/aboutus.html|title=About Us|publisher=About Us|accessdate=2008-08-12] and have successfully lobbied for improved driver licensing schemes for elderly people, a rates rebate scheme and improved health care. [cite web|url=http://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/pm039s+address+grey+power039s+annual+meeting|title=PM's address to Grey Power's annual meeting|publisher=New Zealand Government|author=Helen Clark|accessdate=2008-08-12|date=2006-05-01] Grey Power has a large influence in New Zealand due to the significant number of people who are over 60. [cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10335920|title=Grey Power won't bully us, says Brash|publisher=New Zealand Herald|accessdate=2008-08-12|date=2005-07-15|quote=... an intense interest in the elderly vote - which ... is becoming larger ... Close to 600,000 voters are 60 years and over.]

References

External links

* [http://www.greypower.co.nz/ Grey Power official website]