Peters renews drive for elderly support

Winston Peters

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is campaigning hard to win back the vote of his core constituents, the elderly.

Mr Peters addressed a Grey Power meeting on the Kapiti Coast yesterday, where he stressed the party had the best policies for senior citizens.

Waving around a giant version of NZ First's golden age card, Mr Peters said the only way the superannuitants would see the benefits from the card was if they voted for NZ First.

The party's proposed golden age card will lift the rate of superannuation, offer a subsidy for health care for over-65s, fare discounts and lower line costs for phone, power and gas.

Senior citizens are one of New Zealand First's five policy priorities for the election.

It is understood that over the final two weeks of the campaign Mr Peters will make a concerted effort to attract the vote of this group, which has traditionally been supportive of the party.

In recent weeks National has made gains in the age group.

The latest Herald-DigiPoll shows New Zealand First has 18.3 per cent of voters in the over-65 age group.

Across all voters the party is polling at 6.6 per cent. Labour has 40.1 per cent of the over 65-vote and National 38.1 per cent.