Clayton Mitchell New Zealand First MP

During the Christmas holidays, the Government quietly put through regulations requiring the SuperGold Card become part of a smart card by July 1, 2016.

Now cardholders won't need their card, because the concession will be transferred to a smart card. But they have to buy this smart card and it will not be interchangeable between regions.

After a five-year concession review of the SuperGold Card, National pushed the responsibility onto regional councils and capped funding, despite the increasing number of those aged 65-plus in our country.

The regional councils are rightfully alarmed, worried they won't have enough money to cover the travel; and of course will be reluctant to dip into ratepayers' pockets. And why should ratepayers pay twice – first as taxpayers and again as ratepayers?

It may not be long before regional councils withdraw from the scheme and bus, train and ferry operators start to pull out because they're not getting enough return.

The future for the travel concession is bleak under the National Government. They are bent on destroying a valuable part of the lives of our super annuitants.

The travel concession is not only a major aspect of the SuperGold Card, but a much loved one as well. It allows super annuitants to get out and about without having to worry about costs. That is something they have earned, for working hard and paying taxes all their lives.

But we can remember Cabinet Minister Steven Joyce tried to get rid of the card in 2010 but backed down when there was an outcry?

Five years later, it's time once again for all SuperGold cardholders, and those soon to reach retirement age, to fight back. If you leave it to someone else, Minister Joyce will get his way. But, together with your friends and family, you can send this Government a message: Leave our Gold Card alone!