New Zealand Transport Agency

NZTA (New Zealand Transport Agency) are currently reviewing their resources for senior drivers. They are wanting to work with their customers to understand their needs and ensure these are reflected in the updated resources.

As a first step, they would like to conduct a survey to understand their customers’ motivations for looking for information related to senior drivers and their experience with using their web content and online resources.

Simply click on the website link to fill out the survey – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SeniorDriversSurvey

NZTA will look at ways to involve customers who do not use their online resources later in the project.

From Metlink
In July 2018 we made major changes to Wellington city’s bus transport network. As with any project of this size, it’s usual to review outcomes to check how we did against key objectives, what we learned and what still needs to happen. In our last community update, we talked about how the Wellington Eastern suburbs research summary and review team update reports were shared with Councillors at the Sustainable Transport Committee on 18 September. We provided an update on this area of Wellington first as it was most impacted by the 2018 changes.

Click here to see those reports.

Since 18 September, we have completed the engagement phase of the Wellington city consultation on the 2018 bus network changes. As well as the drop-in workshops around Wellington, we ran two online surveys for those who couldn’t come in person.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their stores and ideas. We received 1,697 responses:

• 315 completed the Eastern suburbs online survey
• 509 completed the Wellington city online survey, and
• 873 people saw us in person.

So what happens now with this information?

You may not hear from us for a little while as we analyse the responses and read through all the stories. From this information and other feedback already received, we will develop a set of recommendations which we expect to present to the new Council in December.

Alongside the review work, a plan will be developed for how and when the recommendations can be actioned if the Council approves them. This will need to take into account such things as cost and funding, and driver shortages – which are ongoing.

Plans are also underway to look at what is needed to engage with the rest of the Wellington region in 2020. This will include the Hutt Valley, Porirua, Kapiti Coast and Wairarapa.

Thanks again to those who shared ideas

We know many people committed a lot of time and effort to this engagement process. If time allows, we would like to share some of the initial findings, the shared stories (anonymised of course) and some of the improvements already made, in the lead up to the release the Wellington city recommendations report expected in December.

While we are not in a position to tell you about specific recommendations, if you have any questions about the process, please do get in touch at: busreview@metlink.org.nz

If you would like to personally sign up for updates on the review – can you, at: https://haveyoursay.gw.govt.nz/busreview

Until next time,

Mā te wā

Anthony Cross, on behalf of the Metlink Bus Network Review Team

We are looking for someone who can clean our apartment in Hawker Street and present it for incoming guests. This would be backup for our regular cleaner who is now becoming less available. The work is sporadic, depending on bookings (our minimum stay is 5 nights and we usually know the timing at least 2 weeks in advance).

We are looking for someone who can be relied on, who can be flexible in timing and who cares about cleanliness and is able to present the apartment so that it is welcoming for guests (mostly from overseas).

Our current cleaner will give training and we pay a good rate to the right person.

We are also looking for someone to maintain the garden-small, compact and easy care – weeding, trimming, sweeping. Flexible timing, on average monthly.

Please call John on 021 425 426 or e-mail at johnschiff1@gmail.com

All the candidates for the 2019 Wellington Regional Council were asked to attend a Grey Power public meeting, and to also provide 300 words about their candidacy. Here they are, in order of submission:

John Klaphake

I believe the great majority of us have lost confidence in our Regional Council over the implementation of the new bus network, and I want to restore confidence back into our Council and public transport by fixing our network to ensure it is centred upon the needs of commuters.

Our bus network can be fixed and be made commuter focused:

• We work collaboratively with WCC.
• We ensure there is a clear understanding of exactly what has to be fixed.
• We collaborate with all parties in developing the solution.
• Consulting with local communities prior to the implementation of any change.
• Making changes in a deliberative manner so we don’t end up with the same or larger problems.
• Working with haste to resolve the issues.
• Ensuring Bus Stops and Hubs are where the people are.

I am a firm believer in democracy at the local level and want to see the decisions our Council makes informed by the views and opinions of our Community. Decisions must be made on the basis of fact and reason. If our City and Region is to thrive we need to ensure our Council is Transparent, it genuinely Consults and Collaborates.

I am a Wellingtonian, and have lived most of my life in this City. I am a volunteer rural fire fighter and a member of the Wellington Emergency Response Team. I love Wellington and want to see it thrive and prosper, but that will only happen with a solid infrastructure, including a public transport system that is robust, reliable and affordable.

Will you give me your number 1 preference, so I can work with others to deliver a Wellington that we can be proud of for now and future generations.

Helene Ritchie

Kia ora.
I will be a strong, experienced, effective, and proactive, voice for you, the
Wellington public, focusing on returning a reliable bus service; future mass
transport; climate crisis action; our environment.

Public transport is pivotal to our personal, social, economic, cultural and
environmental wellbeing.

As Wellington’s first female deputy mayor, Council Labour Leader, and the
longest serving City Councillor, I stand on my record of, successfully leading, and
serving the public, on over 21 diverse boards, including multiple transport
boards and committees.

Instrumental in declaring Wellington a nuclear weapon free zone, recently, I
successfully drove the Citywide legislation to protect the City’s lungs- our Town
Belt, as Wellington’s natural environment leader. Today, as former Chair of the
Civic Centre project, I’m pursuing the opening of the City’s library, and heritage
protection of this our heart of Wellington.

Outspoken, collaborative and effective, I will do my best, with your vote.

Daran Ponter

NZ Labour Party

My number one priority is fixing Wellington’s buses – more services, no cancellations, and buses going to where you need to be. Our hard-working bus drivers also deserve better wages.

I will continue my mission to remove bus hubs – so that Wellingtonians can make their bus journeys without having to transfer. I will work with the City Council to get better bus shelters in place.

I am committed to improving the public transport experience, lowering fares, and making quicker progress on a 100% electric bus fleet. This includes giving Gold Card users better opportunities to use their cards.

I will ensure the regional council works closely with the city council and Government to deliver ‘Let’s Get Wellington Moving’ – the transformational transport package for our region. This has been languishing far too long – too much talking – not enough action.

Climate change, water quality and resilience must be higher priorities. The Council has committed to carbon reduction targets – now we need a solid action plan to get us there.

Regional economic development needs to be reassessed to focus on a better quality of life for every Wellingtonian.

I have a track record in standing up for Wellington, problem solving, and bringing people together to get the job done.

I am a public servant, married with two University-age children and a dog, named Alaska.

Yvonne Legarth

Thank you for your kind invitation to attend your meeting of the candidates standing for election; and the opportunity to meet your members. My apologies, unfortunately I am unable to attend, and I appreciate this opportunity to provide this short statement.

I have lived in Wellington for more than 25 years, and in that time I have developed a career in policy development and planning. During my career I have helped people to engage with the local councils, and in some cases helped them to be heard in council meetings and the Courts.

I am a supporter of council projects that look after our fresh and coastal water, restore our green spaces, help us to build strong communities, and improve our environment. I will support community pest control and restoration projects, and our regional parks.

I value the ability to walk safely around our city, and to use public transport and other options for getting around.

Good governance is important. I want to ensure that people have access to public information and are told about things happening in their neighbourhoods that affect them. I want the council’s policies and strategies to consider the needs of the diverse community we live in.

Troy Mihaka

As a member of the Wellington Party, I believe that the time is right for a new voice in Wellington politics. A voice with a competent plan for the future, an understanding that ratepayers money needs to be spent wisely, and a determination to ensure Wellington remains one of the world’s best cities and regions to live.

Communication between our Councils has been lacking, as has engagement with our communities. This has led to strong community frustration with the current Mayor, City Council and Regional Council in recent years.

I will foster communication between our councils and our communities, by working closely with community agencies throughout our city. I have a background in community organisation management which I plan to utilise at the Council Table.

Wellington’s Housing market is becoming inaccessible. As the cost of Rates continues to skyrocket, it leaves both our older and younger generations with less access to housing in the city that they all love. Rental prices in Wellington are continuing to rise, becoming too high for pensioners and students alike.

Our Public Transport system has also been damaged by lack of community consideration. This has left communities without direct access to the Public Hospital, or efficient transit services.

Whether it means visiting family across town, shopping at the local supermarket or heading to the central city. A working public transport system should be able to make areas in our city accessible, and take you to the places you want.

Wellington is home to people from all different backgrounds. As a young man of both Māori and LGBT+ backgrounds, the Wellington I engage with is different to the city reached by our current representatives. To deliver for all Wellingtonians, our council must represent all Wellingtonians.

For more info visit https://thewellingtonparty/troy-mihaka

Anand Kochunny

Kia ora! I’m Anand Kochunny, the only GWRC candidate whose platform is changing the culture at our regional council. Why? Because the regional council doesn’t appear to listen to us and deliver what we require. Therefore, my first principal objective as a Councillor would be to change the culture at our council so that it becomes a truly Consultative, Collaborative, Transparent, Accountable and Responsible organisation ― these are my 5 Values for a Representative Democracy.

My second principal objective would be to mitigate the hardships faced by commuters as a result of the changes wrought to the public bus transport system in Wellington since July 2018. To progress this work, I would seek advice from various stakeholders including bus drivers, passengers, GWRC officials, transport advocacy groups and councillors from the Wellington City Council.

My third principal objective would be increase efforts to help communities build resilience to natural disasters and emergencies. The fault lines running beneath Wellington’s CBD should serve as a constant reminder that we’re living on the edge. We’ve dodged a bullet twice, with Christchurch and Kaikoura taking the hits; we cannot afford to become complacent and under-prepared.

So why am I standing now? Because we Wellingtonians have stoically endured hardships caused by ill-conceived changes to our public bus transport system for more than a year now ― changes that have disrupted our lives and caused endless frustration. We cannot let such an avoidable crisis occur again.

If you would like to use your vote to change the way our council functions, please visit my website at https://www.candidatekochunny.nz/ to learn more about my views. I need your support to change the culture at our council so that it works for us ― for all of us. A vote for me is a vote for a more responsive council.

Thomas Nash

Tena koutou katoa

My name is Thomas Nash and I’ve spent over a decade working as a humanitarian campaigner around the world. I led the global campaign to ban cluster bombs and was a leading strategist in the campaign to make nuclear weapons illegal.

Like you, I know how special it is to call Wellington home.

But we actually need to get serious about change if we want a region we can all enjoy – now and into the future.

I’ve chosen to run for Regional Council because it plays such a pivotal role in shaping our environment and because it urgently needs culture change and new ideas.

The bus fiasco has shown how out of touch the council is.

So fixing the buses has to be our priority.

I stand for:

• fair pay and conditions for bus drivers – to address the driver shortage that is causing delays and cancellations.
• fewer, better hubs so we are not waiting in the cold and wet
• bus priority so it’s worth getting the bus and
• a $6 express service between the city and the airport.

Fixing our buses is the priority, but there’s a lot more that needs to change.

I want to see:

• climate at the heart of all our decisions
• native forests flourishing all around the region
• streams, rivers and wetlands full of life
• aquifers protected from water bottling
• and a blue belt around our coast to restore marine life.

In all of this, I’ll work with mana whenua as a genuine treaty partner.

I’m used to taking on challenges that people say are impossible and building support to make them happen anyway.

If you’re serious about change like me, then I’m asking you to give me your first preference for Greater Wellington Regional Council.

Thank you

Sam Somers

I am Sam Somers & I am standing for Greater Wellington Regional Council. My objective is to shift the council from 3 year project focuses to focussing on long term planning. In my case that focus would be on public transport and smart transport solutions rather than short term sticky plaster fixes especially when it comes to our roading projects.

I am a big supporter of Light Rail, because of its capacity to pull more per people over buses & private motor vehicles between point A & point B, along with giving those members of our disabled community a seat where as overloaded buses cause disabled people, especially those in wheelchairs are left behind. An immediate solution to hubbing is bringing in more routes that have point to point service and having routes that don’t need to go through the golden mile, particularly by having the east-west routes to look at an alternative using Newtown & Ghuznee Street as well as the bus tunnel and the golden mile. I also want to introduce free weekend public transport between zones 1 & 3 to combat CBD weekend traffic congestion.

I also want to help with the energy poverty crisis we have and climate change by bringing in the renewable energy scheme, where you can add Solar Panels, Wind Turbines or Solar Hot Water system onto the property of a house, to help bring down the energy costs, and take advantage of the way the accommodation supplement works, where they will help towards rates, but not towards the power account. My goal is 4,400 home & 100 farms signing up to the scheme every year for 10 years.

Thank you for reading and I would like you to give me, Sam Somers, your first preference vote, for Greater Wellington Regional Council.

Roger Blakeley

I am a current Councillor for Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC).

I stand for action to resolve outstanding problems from the Bus Network Review of July 2018: fewer hubs, more direct services into the CBD and fair wages and conditions for bus drivers. I will call for faster action by Let’s Get Wellington Moving on all transport modes: walking, cycling, light rail, trains, buses and cars.

I stand for affordable public transport including extending the SuperGold Card for over 65s to free off-peak travel for Community Services Card holders, and fully integrated ticketing for buses, trains and ferries.

I stand for the Wellington City-Region to qualify as a World Health Organisation ‘Global Age-Friendly City’, with GWRC’s contribution including: reliable, frequent and affordable public transport, with specialised provisions for safety and comfort of people who are frail or have disabilities; our regional parks and forests include walkways and seating that are well maintained and safe, and some are suitable for wheelchairs; a wide variety of activities is offered to appeal to older persons including voluntary contribution to environmental programmes with compensation for personal costs; and older people are regularly consulted by Council on how to serve them better.

I stand for action on the Climate Emergency, and a zero-carbon regional council by 2030. I will be a powerful advocate for the environment: safe drinking water, clean streams, rivers and beaches, and protecting native species.

I stand for action to cope with disasters: supporting a cross-harbour pipeline for secure water supply, building flood protection, planning for rising sea levels, and preparing for and recovering from earthquakes.

I am an engineer and former Chief Executive of: Ministry for the Environment, Department of Internal Affairs and Porirua City Council; and Chief Planning Officer of Auckland Council. I am a Member of Institute of Directors.

Tony De Lorenzo

Wellington needs better public transport. I want GWRC provide a service that looks after the customer and is seen by businesses as an incentive to invest in Wellington. A system that is not constrained by central government but one that listens to its users and is able to quickly adapt when it is needed, rather than wholesale changes every 10 years.

The tender model that is currently in place does not give enough emphasis on the customer and instead looks at cost as the biggest driver.

Consultation on this does not end with public transport users. We need to talk and work with employers, businesses, bars, restaurants as beneficiaries of public transport. This way some of the economic benefits can be put back into the service.

We live on a fault line. This means stunning beauty tempered with risks. Abundant water as well as the risk of flooding. I want better resilience in water supply, flood protection, transport, and power, to ensure we can cope in an emergency or from the effects of climate change.

I know that these actions come with a cost, but as their benefits are inter-generational there is the ability to spread this cost over a long period so that the current ratepayers do not have to pay the entire amount.

To effectively achieve this we need a plan. Not a 3 year or 5 year plan but a 50 to 100 year plan. And we need to start now.

These initiatives are needed to make Wellington a greater place to live, and ensure it remains for future generations. .

My work history is one of making institutional change with financial responsibility. Excellent outcomes for stakeholders with a strong financial responsibility make me an ideal candidate

Tony De Lorenzo for a Greater Wellington.

Gavin Bruce

I am standing because there is the need for a rural urban link as there are approximately 12000 hectares of rural land in the Wgtn area alone.

GWRC has quite an involvement with rural areas and imposes a considerable amount of legislation that we need to comply with.

I STRONGLY SUPPORT

• Sustainable environmental management, particularly in the planting of natives on the barbary and gorse covered hills.
• Predator eradication and the Capital Kiwi initiative.
• Enhanced water quality particularly the harbours.
• More bus lanes and improved wages and work conditions for drivers.
• The creation of a realistic public transport strategy which may be light rail, trams, overhead trains fast route buses.
• A regional council that wants to work with other city councils to achieve the needs of the area, if they were more visible and accountable

It would benefit us all as ratepayers.

Lesleigh Salinger

I’m a proud born and raised Wellingtonian who believes passionately in the importance of well-run networks in underpinning quality of life. As an experienced leader and communicator I established and for six years chaired Karori Residents Association. During that time I have worked with City and Regional Councils to bring about some amazing change which includes cleaning the region’s streams.

Vote for me and I will Advocate for:

• Sustainable long-term planning in light of climate change
• The establishment a regional Unitary Transport Authority; with-
  • the Creation of an integrated ticketing scheme.
  • Improvement in real-time information for the buses
  • Introduction of a new airport flyer and efficient electric buses
• A new regional park in the south-west, Cape Terawhiti with major growth in leisure amenities
• Continue the Wellington Water model for fresher water, cleaner streams, and better waste and stormwater networks including upgrading aging infrastructure.

Consultation, accountability and action are crucial if the greater Wellington region is to thrive environmentally, economically and socially. I have the skills to make it happen.

Want things done? Vote for me with a 1.

Thank you.

 

From the Ministry of Social Development

We’re committed to making sure our clients are supported to stay safe and independent in their own homes. As part of this, the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) funds the costs of medical alarm services to its eligible clients through their Disability Allowance.  We’ve once again negotiated with medical alarm suppliers to make sure our clients continue getting a quality service at a competitive price.

There has been a small movement in costs for the existing suppliers, with the cost increasing for three of them, staying the same for one and decreasing for another. We’ve also added a new MSD-accredited supplier, Electra ltd (trading as Securely).

The changes to costs start from 19 August 2019. To make sure clients stay safe as these changes take place, there’ll be no interruption to the client’s medical alarm service.

Changes to people’s payments

We’ll automatically adjust people’s payments for anyone with a change in cost. We’re also writing to them about the change and what it means for them. The changes will be small.

The medical alarm suppliers are also writing to their clients to adjust how much they pay for the alarm service. Where MSD pays the supplier directly, we’ll adjust the amount for them.

The MSD-accredited suppliers of medical alarm services are:

ADT Security                                                    0800 111 238

Chubb New Zealand                                      0800 203 040

Securely                                                            0800 865 865

Freedom Medical Alarms                            0800 380 280

Red Wolf High Level Monitoring                0800 673 252

St John Medical Alarms                                0800 502 323

 

There’s more information about medical alarms on the Work and Income website.

 

Non-accredited suppliers

People who have their medical alarm provided by a non-MSD accredited supplier can still get the cost of the alarm covered by their Disability Allowance. If they choose to change to a different supplier, they’ll need to choose an MSD-accredited supplier.

 

If you have any questions, please email us at Medical_Alarm_Correspondence@msd.govt.nz

All members of GREY POWER NZ are covered by a $2000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment Benefit. This is provided at NO COST by AIL of New Zealand.

Since this benefit was established in 2010, AIL has (to date) paid out on 45 Grey Power members who have passed away in accidents.

This benefit covers all financial members of the association automatically, as soon as they join. 

AIL provides yellow postage paid reply cards for members who wish to receive their Certificate of Coverage and nominate a next of kin. If members don’t complete and return one of the yellow cards, they are still covered by the benefit. If a beneficiary has not been nominated, a claim would still be paid out, but may have to be paid to the estate rather than directly to a spouse.

Any claims or general queries can be directed to Mario Soljan on email mario@ailnz.co.nz , direct dial number (09) 973 5254 or mobile 027 265 2502. The claims process is relatively simple – usually only a photocopy of the NZ Death Certificate is required to process a claim. The claim cheque can then be forwarded to the branch to deliver to the bereaved family or can be mailed direct to the beneficiary – whichever the branch prefers.

AIL does offer additional family insurance benefits, which are designed to help the members and their families. These are entirely voluntary and there is No Obligation on members whatsoever to purchase any other products.

The talk was in July; if you missed it here are the slides from his presentation.

Here is the original announcement:

We are pleased to be able to invite you to a session led by speaker John Collyns, who is the Executive Director of the Retirement Village Association (RVA).

John will provide a presentation which will cover:

• an overview of the sector
• legislated consumer protection in registered villages
• why people might want to move to a village and why they may not
• types of tenure available and how they work ( e.g. licenses to occupy, Unit Titles v freehold)
• continuum of care within a village
• what it costs-comparison with freehold properties, weekly fees and other costs
• impact of equity release on retirees’ income
• why choose a RVA member village – audit and accreditation process, disputes process and Disciplinary Tribunal

The RVA represents the entire spectrum of retirement villages in NZ so it does not promote one village over another.

He has assured us he welcomes questions during and at the end of his talk.

Hope to see you on the 27th of July at St Andrews on the Terrace at 2pm

From the University of Auckland

Kia ora,

My name is Marie and I am a PhD candidate in Speech Science at the University of Auckland. My research involves the first NZ study on people’s opinions about their own swallowing (eating and drinking) and nutrition.

I am looking for independent New Zealanders aged 65 years and older, who are willing to answer an online questionnaire (37 questions, about 10 minutes). People are eligible to participate whether they do or do not have swallowing problems.

Completed questionnaires can go into the draw to win one of five $20 supermarket vouchers.

This study is funded by the NZ Health Research Council and HOPE Selwyn Foundation.

The questionnaire starts here.

If you’re paying rates then you may be eligible for a rates rebate of up to $630. Fill in this very simple form to find out if you’re eligible.

From the Department of Internal Affairs

The Rates Rebate Scheme (the Scheme) assists people on low incomes to pay their rates by providing a deduction from their annual rates bill, or a refund if the rates for the year have already been paid in full.

Increases reflecting inflation have recently been made to the maximum rates rebate and the income abatement threshold:

• The maximum allowable rates rebate is now $640.

• The income abatement threshold is now $25,660.

The amount of rebate received is determined by a formula based on total household income, level of rates and the number of household dependents. Those whose income, before tax, is $25,660 or less can often claim the full amount. Those whose income is higher may still be able to get all or part of the rebate depending on their circumstances. Residents of retirement villages are entitled to apply to their local council for a rates rebate.

Scheme information, an online calculator to estimate any likely rebate, and all forms are available from the Department of Internal Affairs’ website www.dia.govt.nz. Applications for a rates rebate must be made to the ratepayer’s local council.

We hope that the Rates Rebate Scheme benefits as many of your members as possible this year. For further information about the Scheme please contact the Department of Internal Affairs on 0800 25 7887 or info@ratesrebates.govt.nz.

Many people have shared their own ACC nightmare stories. Sandra Crashley researched her topic after being mistreated by ACC who were in collaboration with her GP practice!
GREY POWER members, Mike & Sandra Crashley used her accident claim experiences to demonstrate how numerous ACC employees have wasted taxpayers’ money in significant amounts.
This book also describes the abuse that many Kiwis suffered because they made an ACC claim during the years of John Key’s National government when ACC operated as an overpaid, overcrowded & abusive bureaucracy.

ACC: A National Plot? $12.50 +p&p from Loveley Books Opotiki crashley@xtra.co.nz