Should we drop the SuperGold card?

By reg follas

Dont drop it. Police it better, I see cards being used fraudulantly all the time, Make a photo copulsary, and youll save hundreds of thousands.
Otherwise leave it as is, all people over 60 yrs deserve a reward.

By Reg

Keep the card. Police it properly and save millions per year!
I E Photo on card should be a must. Ive repeatedly seen people using other peoples cards. No I D is ever asked for!

By adele

Nice to be able to obtain a few perks later in life, pity we cannot use the card on return journey to Wellington from Wairarapa, as we have to wait until after 6pm in Wellington then use it, many golden folk have to get to Wellington for Medical Reasons and therefore, pay their trip home.. We have to wait until nearly 11am to use the card, that doesnt give us much time in the Capital for appointments to catch the 1pm. train home.. as it takes over an hour to get to Wellington. Then not many businesses take the card, better to join Greypower and have their discount card!

By jeanie

after 65 years wow a super gold card, well all you people who seem to think it opens the door to treasure guess what, i hawkes bay the only thing i can get is 5% off at the mad butcher, bet youre all jealous. no buses here for me to catch im not near a bus zone, so after paying all my adult life bringing up five children that was my big thrill. i think you are the product of envy so you can have my card. worry about these people who refuse work, we have vanaatuans here in the bay to pick our fruit cause our dole bludgers wont do it

By Chris

Arrogant, yes I have parents, I have a few grandparents. My family weren't shortsighted. My grandparents have more then enough to sustain themselves when they retired. In the fifties our economy was inefficient but still wealthy. What did we do with that money we sent it on consumer goods. Unlike Japan who spent their wealth accumulated at the same time on creating a strong electronics industry. Who had the last laugh? The NZ govt created what I would class as a false economy, propping up the people. Like I said in the past when people couldn't find jobs, the govt would absorb the workers. All education was free when they grew up, their were subsidies for Africa. There is no excuse for elderly not to have sufficient savings when they have been subsidised by the govt for most of their lives. Look at us young people, I will have to work for everything. I won't have massive govt subsidies to help me along. When I retire, I won't get a penny from the govt. How is it fair that after living a subsidies life, elderly can live off the govt? The adults of the 50's and 60's have lived a rather privileged lives, and thanks to their shortsightedness (though to be fair most people are still shortsighted), we are a very poor nation.

By Chris

Richard, no the lost what they had. Most elderly people have had govt handouts all their lives. If they couldn't find a job the govt would make one for them. If they were farmers, they'd get massive handouts that would be spent on new pools for their home etc. The previous generations have lived off govt handouts their whole lives, they spent all their money on consumption instead of saving. Why should the govt bailout their shortsightedness?

By bev

I don't think that the government is talking about stopping the gold card what it wants to do is get a better deal off those transport companies where some have asked for a ridiculous price per elderly to compensate the use of the gold card. If these transport companies continue to overcharge then the government will have to evaluate the situation and it could be that the elderly will have to pay a portion on the fare. From what I know there is a problem with the price per person for the ferry between Auckland and Waiheke Island. If that is the case the elderly will still have a subsidy. As NZ goes through some hard times it is up to everyone to make some cutbacks. Yes the elderly should have dispensation on things but when you look at it that sector does cost the nation a lot of money compared with other sectors. This doesn't mean that those dispensations should stop, but we all need to be aware of costs and the best way to use those subsidies. There are some elderly that live in places where they cannot even access their card because there is not the transport service to do so. It is only when they leave their region that they can. The government recently assured that the elderly would be better off under the proposed changes to GST. At no time was it mentioned that other sectors such as families, low income earners and other beneficiaries would have the same deal. Lets not upset the elderly until the government has finished their review, then we will know whether to support or congratulate the elderly

By Richard.

Your a student. Nothing wrong with my income Chris! Our elders deserve a few perks. They fought for what we have.