Latest news with #SuperGoldCardholders
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Budget rates relief ‘necessary'
Oamaru. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH Rates relief for potentially hundreds of Waitaki senior citizens through Budget 2025, is "timely and necessary", Age Concern Otago says. The Budget last week announced a rise in the income abatement threshold for SuperGold Cardholders and their households to be eligible for the maximum rebate from $31,510 to $45,000, about the same rate as a couple receiving superannuation. "In the Waitaki District alone, over 5700 people receive NZ Super, many of whom will benefit directly from this support," Age Concern Otago chief executive Mike Williams said. "While we don't have exact figures on how many will qualify, we do know that around 40% of New Zealanders aged 65 and over have virtually no other income beyond NZ Super. With nearly a quarter of Waitaki's population aged 65 or older, and rates set to rise by an average of around 10% across the district, this support is both timely and necessary." The maximum rebate for the scheme will also increase from $790 to $805, while those SuperGold cardholders with income higher than $45,000 will be eligible for a smaller rebate. Ratepayers can apply for the new maximum rebate under the new abatement thresholds after July 1. Application forms will be available from councils and will also be able to be downloaded from the New Zealand Government website ( and then submitted to local councils. Waitaki district mayor Gary Kircher is positive in his support for the move. "It's a tough budget for many, though I see some benefits in the budget for our community," he told the Oamaru Mail. "It is good to see that more of our Super Gold Card holders will be eligible for rates relief, as the government recognises the pressures on local government and their ratepayers. "This is welcome news for many of our Waitaki ratepayers, especially those on fixed incomes who own their own homes." Any over-65s with questions about eligibility can contact Waitaki District Council on 03 433 0300 or by contacting service@ Mr Kircher said there were other good news items in the Budget. "An increase of $2.7b for roads schools and hospitals will help, though at least some of those increases had already been announced. "From a council perspective, it will be extremely helpful if the government increases the ability of NZTA to match more of our funding to help councils make progress on the overall underinvestment in roading. "There will be general benefits for our community with the sensible changes to prescriptions, and improvements to our after-hours healthcare, along with an extra $1b for new health infrastructure. "However, the zero increase to many budgets and the decrease in others will be difficult for most government agencies. "I doubt that it has been an easy task for the government, and there is some good logic behind a number of changes. "Unfortunately, many people are doing it bloody hard right now and there will some who are going to be slightly better off, but not all of those most affected." Waitaki MP Miles Anderson said the district would also benefit from Budget 2025's new Investment Boost initiative, which would provide "a major new tax incentive to encourage businesses to invest, grow the economy, and lift wages". "This is great news for farms and businesses in the Waitaki and the initiative is already seeing a strong positive response from the sector. "With our region's strong rural and supporting industries we need businesses to invest in productive assets — like machinery, tools, equipment, vehicles and technology. Investment drives productivity improvements, makes firms more competitive and supports employers to improve workers' wages. "Investment Boost allows a business to immediately deduct 20% of the cost of a new asset, on top of depreciation, meaning a much lower tax bill in the year of purchase." That meant better cashflows, which in turn, makes potential investments "stack up financially", he said. On top of a $164m investment in rural health, including expanded and improved after-hours health services in Oamaru, the Budget also strengthened education provision with $1.5billion to improve student achievement, including $646m of initiatives to ensure earlier identification of, and better help for, children with additional physical, learning and behavioural needs, he said. Another $700m would deliver new schools and classrooms. "We are making smart improvements in education that will make a real difference for young people here," Mr Anderson said.
NZ Herald
22-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Budget 25: Millions for cyclone-hit roads, SuperGold cardholder rates relief
A media release after the Budget said the five councils likely to receive a share of the $219 million are Central Hawke's Bay District Council, Gisborne District Council, Hastings District Council, Napier City Council, and Wairoa District Council. Bishop said a resilient transport network in the East Coast and Hawke's Bay regions would help deliver the infrastructure communities need to grow their businesses, get their kids to school, and ensure goods get from A to B efficiently'. Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst called the decision a 'promising signal', but the council would need to look at the details. 'Any extra funding for our ongoing bridge and road rebuild programme will be extremely welcome,' she said. In more good news for local councils, Minister of Local Government Simon Watts and Minister for Seniors announced Budget 25 will help up to 66,000 more SuperGold Cardholders with their rates payments by introducing a new income abatement threshold from July 1. The income abatement threshold to be eligible for the maximum rebate for SuperGold Cardholders and their households will be lifted from $31,510 to $45,000 – about the rate for a couple receiving superannuation. The maximum rebate for the scheme will also increase from $790 to $805. Costello said if over-65s have questions about eligibility they can contact their council or retirement village operator. 'It will mean that every SuperGold Cardholder earning only NZ Superannuation, with rates higher than $2000, will be eligible for the full rebate,' she said. 'SuperGold Cardholders earning more than $45,000 may also be entitled to a smaller rebate. 'These changes, worth $154 million over four years, will come as a relief to those seniors who are on fixed incomes and are dealing with rates increases.'
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Rates Relief For Up To 66,000 More SuperGold Cardholders
Hon Simon Watts Minister of Local Government Hon Casey Costello Minister for Seniors Budget 2025 will help up to 66,000 more SuperGold Cardholders with their rates payments, Local Government Minister Simon Watts and Seniors Minister Casey Costello announced today. 'It's a really tough time for many Kiwis right now and this Government is working at pace to grow the economy so we can take some of the financial pressure off households and ease the cost of living,' Mr Watts says. 'We are seeing good progress in our economy with inflation and interest rates coming down, but we want to do more to relieve the financial burden for households, including for older New Zealanders. 'That's why we're making changes to the rates rebate scheme for SuperGold cardholders.' The Government will introduce a new income abatement threshold to assist SuperGold Cardholders from July 1. The income abatement threshold to be eligible for the maximum rebate for SuperGold Cardholders and their households will be lifted from $31,510 to $45,000 – about the rate for a couple receiving superannuation. The maximum rebate for the scheme will also increase from $790 to $805. 'This is the first time we are introducing a separate income abatement threshold to the Rates Rebate Scheme, Seniors Minister Casey Costello says. 'It will mean that every SuperGold Cardholder earning only NZ Superannuation, with rates higher than $2000, will be eligible for the full rebate. SuperGold Cardholders earning more than $45,000 may also be entitled to a smaller rebate.' 'These changes, worth $154 million over four years, will come as a relief to those seniors who are on fixed incomes and are dealing with rates increases.' The National Party and New Zealand First coalition agreement had a commitment to explore options to build on the Local Government Rates Rebate Scheme for SuperGold cardholders and to maximise the benefits of the SuperGold Card. 'The Rates Rebate Scheme is administered by local councils and provides financial relief for low-income New Zealanders owning their own home,' Mr Watts says. Ratepayers can apply for the new maximum rebate under the new abatement thresholds after 1 July 2025. Application forms will be available from councils and will also be able to be downloaded from the New Zealand Government website ( and then submitted to local councils after 1 July 2025. 'If over-65s have questions about eligibility they can contact their council or retirement village operator,' Ms Costello says.
