Clayton Mitchell New Zealand First MP

In 15 years, pension payments will be at peak demand. For some, this is a great time to start implementing scare tactics, convincing younger generations they will not have access to pensions.

For NZ First, this is a great time to problem-solve, taking stock of past mistakes and planning for the needs of our nation.

New Zealand First MP Denis O'Rourke has proposed the New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement income (Pro Rata Entitlement) Amendment Bill as a way of making sure NZ Super is more fairly allocated among Kiwis who've spent their lives contributing to the country – raising families and working.

In addition to critical changes to NZ Super, the Government must begin investing in the Cullen Fund – a measure implemented under the previous government to ensure Kiwis would still have a pension during high demand.

The fund is ranked top sovereign fund performer in the world, worth $30 billion.

Unfortunately, the Government refused to invest anything in the Cullen Fund during the last 10 years.

With the fund averaging higher than 19 per cent returns, this Government has effectively robbed us of $18 billion in revenue intended for the direct support of our pensioners.

When we consider the $70 billion and rising national debt, it's sobering to consider the Cullen Fund should today be at $48 billion.

National won't invest in our future, but they will rob us of one. They have stolen from our pensioners by failing to invest in the Cullen Fund.

They stole from our children when they eliminated the Kiwisaver Kickstart programme.

They steal from our industries, as they sell them off to foreign investors and give away our protections in foreign trade agreements. They steal from our most vulnerable, when they privatise state housing.

It's time we look to a government that will put New Zealand first.