Grey Power National Vice-President David Marshall said, while the organisation welcomes constructive debate about the future
of retirement income, it remains firmly opposed to any move toward means-testing.

“New Zealand Superannuation provides certainty, dignity and independence for older New Zealanders. Undermining that
certainty risks eroding confidence in the entire system for future retirees,” says Mr Marshall.

For four decades, Grey Power has consistently advocated for a universal, non-means-tested system and continues to oppose any
change to that principle. Grey Power also notes that New Zealand’s superannuation model is widely regarded as efficient and effective in providing baseline income security.

“Universal superannuation works because it is clear, fair and predictable,” Marshall says. “It ensures all New Zealanders have a
foundation to live with dignity in later life.”

Over its 40-year history, Grey Power has advocated across a wide range of issues affecting seniors, including healthcare
access, energy affordability, aged care standards, retirement village regulation, rates rebates, and Super Gold Card benefits.
Protecting NZ Super, however, remains central to its work

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says he firmly opposes altering the universal nature of New Zealand Superannuation, officially ruling out means-testing and confirming Labour will not increase the retirement age. He maintains that KiwiSaver should strictly remain a supplementary retirement income, rather than a replacement for, or justification to erode, state superannuation.

Siren Deluxe, Manager Libraries, says this is an exciting year for Kāpiti Libraries with the eagerly anticipated completion of Te Ara Whetū, the new library hub in Waikanae.

“The way people are using our libraries, our collections, our spaces and services is changing.   We are steadily evolving our services across the district to meet customer demand and social changes and going cash-free is just another step in that direction.”

Paekākāriki Library has already moved to only accepting card and contactless payments, Paraparaumu and Waikanae libraries will make the change on Saturday 8 August and Te Ara Whetū will open cash-free.

“We already offer self-service for issuing books, an amazing app which enables customers to reserve and renew books from the comfort of their homes, we’re supporting an explosive increase in eBook use, and welcome community groups to use our spaces for practicing new language skills, and creative skills from low tech crafting to high tech 3D printing and laser cutting in our Makerspace,” says Ms Deluxe.

Ms Deluxe says that going cash-free will help the library team to serve people more efficiently as well as reduce operational costs and eliminate the labour and risk associated with handling and storing cash.

She says self-service photocopying and printing will also be introduced at both Paraparaumu and Waikanae libraries over the coming months, with staff on hand to help. These services will be cash-free, payable by card or contactless payment.

At the moment cash payments will still be available at the Waikanae Service Centre (within Waikanae Library) for services such as dog registration and rates.

A decision on when Ōtaki Library goes cash-free is yet to be made.

Editors note: For those who misread the headline the libraries are not offering free cash.

Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Beneficiaries of Electra Trust
will be held at the Council Chambers, District Council, Oxford Street, Levin, on
Friday, 31 July 2026 commencing at 12 noon.
ORDINARY BUSINESS

1. Presentation of the following:
   (a) Annual Report
   (b) Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2026
   (c) Report of the Auditor
2. To record the election of three Trustees
3. Report on the operation and Financials of Electra Limited (the Company).
4. To appoint an auditor for the Trust for the year ended 31st March 2027.
   “THAT the Controller and Auditor General or his appointee be appointed as
   auditor for the Trust”
5. Authorise the Trustees to fix the remuneration of the Auditor of the Trust.
   “THAT the Trustees be authorised to fix the remuneration of the Auditor of
   the Trust.”
6. To review and discuss the Code of Practice for the Electra Trust.
7. Report on the Company’s compliance with the Statement of Corporate
   Intent.
8. General Business
   By the order of the Trustees
   Anne Robb, Trust Secretary
   Levin

In accordance with Clause 12.5 and 12.6 of the Electra Trust deed, the Trustees
advise that the annual Financial Statements of Electra Trust are available on
the Electra Trust website https://www.electratrust.co.nz/Reports/ Trust beneficiaries
are asked to note that an overview of the Trust’s Expenses are available on the
website https://www.electratrust.co.nz/reports/annual-reviews/

In accordance with Clause 12.8 and 12.9 of the Electra Trust Deed, the Trustees
advise that the Statement of Corporate Intent of Electra Limited is available for
inspection on the Electra Trust Website https://www.electratrust.co.nz/Reports/

By order of the Trustees
Anne Robb, Trust Secretary, Levin

Maxine (AKA) Max has over 25 years experience in the travel industry and the show will see her interviewing a wide variety of guests, including Airline Pilots, Ship Captains, those vital folks at the check-ins.

“The show will be fun and informative. We will uncover the people, stories, and secrets behind travel.

Maxine says Beyond the Boarding Pass will be a casual, informal interview format.

The 30 minute show broadcast live on Wednesday afternoons at 4.30pm at Coast Access Radio, will also be available as a podcast.

​With experience as a tour leader and expertise in both leisure and corporate travel, Maxine knows what it takes to make a trip truly memorable. From scenic river cruises and rail journeys to thrilling sporting events and rich cultural escapes, she brings practical knowledge, meticulous attention to detail, and a warm personal touch to every itinerary.

Coast Access programme manager Zane Milligan ​says Beyond the Boarding Pass will take listeners behind the scenes of travel. “From tour operators and cruise captains to travel experts, destination specialists, and industry insiders, each episode uncovers the stories behind the journeys we all love. Discover insider tips, fascinating travel tales, industry secrets, and moments travellers never get to see. Whether you’re planning your next adventure, a seasoned globetrotter, or simply love exploring the world, Beyond the Boarding Pass is your invitation to discover what really lies beyond the boarding pass.”

FIRST EPISODE: Maxine interviews Wendy Wu – https://www.coastaccessradio.org.nz/Programmes/Details.aspx?PID=38a8f0aa-0fb1-4837-aa91-560b2b06661d

What: Beyond the Boarding Pass

Who: Maxine Laws

Where: Coast Access Radio 104.7FM

When: Every Wednesday 4.30pm

Today’s announcement importantly delivers six new teaching spaces to Paraparaumu College, and significant upgrade and redevelopment funding to address long-standing condition issues at both Porirua School and Mana College

“I’ve worked with the Principal at Paraparaumu college for some time, and worked constructively with the Minister and lobbied hard to secure these six new classrooms,” says Mr Costley.

“There have been issues to work through over the last year, particularly helping to tell our local story in Kāpiti. This includes taking into account out-of-zone students, which can impact the Ministry’s utilisation rates for existing classrooms, and future growth predictions. I wrote to the Minister last year explaining why I thought Paraparaumu College was a special case and deserved extra consideration.

“I’m particularly grateful to Principal Mark Robinson who has been a strong advocate for Paraparaumu College. He has invited me to the school on multiple occasions to walk me through the issues, helped me to understand what is needed, and also hosted the Education Minister at his school last year. This has all led to positive outcomes for staff and students.”

Ms Stanford said “These schools have been under pressure from growing student numbers. Delivering these classrooms will ease that pressure and support better environments for teaching and learning.” 

She said today’s announcement brings the total number of new classrooms funded in the lower North Island to 153 over the past three years and nearly 1400 across New Zealand.

“As a result of this, more students will be learning in new, warm, safe, dry classrooms. The Government has been able to deliver more bang for buck by improving the way school property is planned and built.”

Paraparaumu College was promised some new classrooms by the last Government, but they were never funded and never delivered, a pattern across many schools in New Zealand. “I’m proud to have helped turn this around and delivered the funding for our local college,” says Mr Costley.

Mayor Holborow says this week Council kicked off Prioritise Kāpiti, the first stage of the LTP engagement. 

“It’s important to me, and to all Councillors, that we start having Long-term Plan conversations early and make sure our priorities are right from the get-go.  

“This isn’t about starting with a long wish list,” says Mayor Holborow. “It’s about understanding what we are legislated to do, what matters most to our communities, where Council should focus its efforts, and the trade-offs people might be willing to accept.” 

“We’re proposing eight district-wide priorities, from water and land use through to housing, health, and working with others. I encourage everyone to take a look and tell us whether we’ve got them right.  

“We’re also testing five planning principles for this Long-term Plan. These include living within our financial limits, prioritising the must-dos, and adopting a user-pays approach where it makes sense. 

Mayor Holborow said Council was approaching this LTP a little differently and had established councillor-led engagement and finance focus groups to help guide the development of the LTP and supporting policies.  

Councillor Rob McCann, chair of the engagement focus group, said it was important for Council to be clear about the challenges ahead and understand what people value before it started to lock in priorities.  

“Our community has been clear with us that rate rises have been too high, and most councillors agree.  

“The reality is we simply can’t afford to do everything, and we know every budget decision affects people differently,” says Councillor McCann. “This will require us to carefully balance investment and make hard choices about what Council can and can’t continue to deliver. 

“Prioritise Kāpiti is the start of a conversation about what Council should prioritise ahead of formal consultation on its LTP early next year.” 

Irrespective of where the Government’s Simplifying Local Government reform lands, Council is required to work to current legislation and produce a LTP every three years. The LTP sets out what Council will deliver over the next decade, with a sharp focus on the first three years and the likely impact on rates.  

Mayor Holborow said while there is a lot of uncertainty across the local government sector, Council is still required to plan for the district’s future. 

“The LTP is the tool that sets out our activities and budgets and enables the delivery of our people, place, and partnership community outcomes. 

“Whether you’ve lived here for decades or have recently made Kāpiti home, we all see things differently,” says Mayor Holborow. “That’s why we need to hear from a wide range of voices as we shape the future of our district together.”  

Kāpiti Coast residents are encouraged to complete the Council’s online survey and view details of upcoming opportunities to speak directly with Councillors at haveyoursay.kapiticoast.govt.nz. 

Feedback closes on 26 July 2026. 

Guest speaker details are as follows:
The first is Jessica Keltie from the Healthy Home Co.

The second is Neil MacInnes, gardener extraordinaire from Ōtaki.

Jessica Keltie runs ThriveKind, providing Healthy Homes assessments and practical home‑performance advice across Kāpiti and Wellington. She’s passionate about helping people create warmer, drier, healthier homes, and focuses on realistic, affordable solutions that improve comfort, wellbeing and power bills. She also helps people access support such as subsidised insulation, affordable curtains from curtain banks, and simple changes that reduce dampness and energy use.

What is a 24/7 Rural Garden?
Neil MacInnes is a Grey Power member with an interesting story. He has developed a fun presentation on the trials and tribulations he and his wife Avis experienced when establishing and maintaining a large, rural garden in the heart of the Ōtaki Gorge. Says Neil – “this is not a technical presentation, but rather a light-hearted before and after story we have shared with different groups and garden enthusiasts throughout the district.”

Coffee or tea will be available from 9.30 am, at the usual venue at Ocean Road Community Centre and we will start at 10am.

Hoop Club Kāpiti is a local Basketball Club serving the Kāpiti Coast and July will see the start of their Adult Winter League. It should be noted that you don’t have to be Jalen Brunson or Karl-Anthony Towns to take part in what is likely to be a very enjoyable local league.

Hoop Club Kāpiti’s primary aim is to provide opportunities for Basketball players and supporters of all ages and levels to participate in the sport.

They promote a positive atmosphere which emphasises and fosters sportsmanship, teamwork, commitment, self improvement, life skills and respect for others.

See the poster below for details on the Winter Social League or visit www.hoopclubkapiti.nz/adult-social-league