Explanatory note

This Supplementary Order Paper inserts new clause 5(2)into the bill to replace section 8(c), which provides that no person is entitled to New Zealand superannuation unless they have been resident in New Zealand for 5 years in aggregate since attaining the age of 50. Many citizens of Cook Islands, Tokelau, and Niue, as well as expatriate Kiwis, have spent up to 30 adult years living and working in New Zealand. To deny them New Zealand superannuation because they have not spent 5 years in New Zealand after age 50 is grossly unfair.

Compare this to the generosity of giving full New Zealand superannuation entitlement to non-New Zealand citizens from non-reciprocal pension countries after just 10 years’ residency. Many countries enjoy an exemption from section 8(c) because they are countries that have a reciprocal pension agreement with New Zealand, for example Australia, United Kingdom, and Netherlands. We appeal to common sense that the realm countries only enjoy the same privilege as other more prosperous pension agreement countries.