New Zealand First leader Winston Peters declared retirees “belong to the most powerful voting bloc in the country” during a speech in Tauranga yesterday.
Mr Peters was the guest of honour at the 40th anniversary of Greenwood Park Lifestyle Retirement Village, an establishment he officially opened on December 3, 1988, while serving as the National Party MP for Tauranga.
Addressing a crowd of residents and guests, he highlighted his long-standing connection to the community. “I’m here today because they invited me back after 40 years,” Mr Peters said. His visit marks his second trip to the city in a week, following his State of the Nation speech to around 1000 people at the Atrium Conference Centre just five days earlier.
Peters defends superannuation
When asked by the Bay of Plenty Times what he would do for retirees, Mr Peters was resolute. “If you know anybody who’s done more for retirees than me, go and find that person,” he said.
He pointed to his party’s stance on New Zealand Superannuation as a key example of his commitment. “For example, we’re the ones defending superannuation. They want to move the age to over 65,” he said, referencing previous campaigns by the National Party to raise the age of eligibility.
The debate over the superannuation age is a recurring feature of New Zealand politics, with proponents of an increase often citing long-term fiscal sustainability and an ageing population. According to Te Ara Ahunga Ora, the Retirement Commission, the cost of NZ Super is projected to rise significantly as the population ages. However, Mr Peters argued the focus should be on economic performance, not on cutting entitlements.
He stated the total cost of superannuation was 5.2 per cent of GDP, which he claimed was half the rate of many European countries. The issue, he argued, is not the cost but the economy's slow growth.
Stop criticising the old people, the young people, the poor people, and get the darn economy right so it’s growing at 5.5, 6% per year, like it used to.
A return to familiar ground
Mr Peters' repeated visits to Tauranga underscore the strategic importance of the region and its significant retiree population, a key demographic for New Zealand First. His history in the city, first as a National MP and then as the leader of his own party, gives him a unique platform in the Bay of Plenty.
His presence in the city comes at a time of active political discourse, with various groups making their voices heard on local and national issues. Recently, hundreds of Tauranga protesters rallied against proposed move-on powers, demonstrating a high level of community engagement with political matters.
Mr Peters' focus on national economic strategy also aligns with broader discussions about the country's development, such as the government's national infrastructure plan which prioritises projects amid economic constraints. By framing superannuation as an economic issue rather than just a social one, he connects with concerns about both personal financial security and the nation's prosperity.
Pioneering a new lifestyle
The celebration at Greenwood Park also highlighted the evolution of retirement living in Tauranga. The village, now owned by Metlifecare and home to 320 residents, was the first of its kind in the city.
Conceived by local entrepreneurs Graham Rogers, Peter Craig and John Morton, it offered a new model for retirement. Denise Whitehead, who managed the village from 1986 to 1999 and now lives there, said that before Greenwood Park, options were limited. “There were a lot of rest homes with a few units, but not lifestyle villages with tennis courts and bowling greens,” she said.
The sense of a close-knit community is a recurring theme. Ms Whitehead noted that over the years, residents have included 14 sets of siblings and 12 children of former residents. Now a resident herself, she said she “couldn’t consider living anywhere else now”, though she admitted the main challenge was remembering she was no longer the manager.
Current village manager Charlie Vague, who has held the position for eight years, said the residents are his primary motivation. “You come to work, you’ve got a day planned, and it’s out the window because you’ve got this and that to do,” he said. “You can learn so much from what they’ve done, where they’ve been, what their history is, and they’re just interesting people to talk to.”
Local leaders acknowledge legacy
Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale and Bay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford of the National Party were also in attendance, acknowledging the village's contribution to the city.
“As the first lifestyle village to open in our city, it’s special to see that legacy continuing for today’s residents,” Mr Drysdale said. The success of Greenwood Park paved the way for a significant expansion of the retirement living sector across the Bay of Plenty, which continues to be a popular destination for retirees.
Mr Peters’ return to the village he opened four decades ago served as a powerful symbol of his long and often controversial career. By championing the cause of superannuation and reminding retirees of their collective electoral strength, he made a clear pitch for their support, tying his political legacy in Tauranga to a promise of future economic security.
