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 (www.govt.nz) 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@waitaki.govt.nz
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.
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