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Our kaumatua and kui hold a special place amongst our communities. You don't have to look far to see the invaluable work our old people do for volunteer groups and community organisations. I see it all the time when I'm around Te Tai Tonga.

We have made the changes necessary to ensure that their invaluable contributions to our great country are recognised. One of the first changes we made was reversing National's pension cuts, making sure that super increased every year to match the cost of living. 

This term we increased Super to 66% of the average wage.  Since 2005, we have increased Super by $113 a fortnight for a married couple and than $73 a fortnight for a single living alone.  We also made retirement income fairer by removing the ‘sharing expenses rule', increasing Super for those with a partner in care and continuing to phase out asset testing. 

We significantly lowered doctor's fees and reduced prescription medicines from $15 to $3.  We continue to increase the value and availability of rates rebates.  We recently increased the rebate again to $530 on 1 July.  We are also lifting the subsidy for hearing aids from $198 to $500 from 1 October. 

We are providing more support to community organisations that provide essential services for our families, children, and elderly.  They will now receive $446.5 million to provide these essential services and they will receive regular funding increases to reflect future changes in cost and demand. There are 29 Maori community organisations in Te Tai Tonga that will benefit. 

Maori providers in Te Tai Tonga have played a major part in the government's record of reducing unemployment, and improving the skills of our rangatahi from the grass roots level. I commend all the community organisations in Southland for their commitment and investment in supporting our families. 

When times get hard we need a government with plans for the future, a government that looks after all of us, a government that has delivered on its promises and will deliver on the promises we make for the future.  This is why we have made sure Superannuitants are included in tax cuts.  Our 1 October tax cuts will give a married couple and extra $45 a fortnight and $23 to a single living alone.  

Labour has plans for New Zealand that will see it forge ahead, but we will also make sure no one is left behind.

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