SHOCKING!!!! The 20-somethings receiving NZ Super
There are about 3000 people across New Zealand receiving NZ Super who are not yet 65 - and three of them are not even 30.
Before 2020, it was possible for someone receiving NZ Super to add a non-qualifying partner.
This gives each person a payment of $787.58 a fortnight.
The option was removed in 2020 but people who were already receiving the payment were allowed to remain on it.
Three are aged 25 to 29, six 30 to 34, nine 35 to 39 and 27 aged 40 to 44.
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The number is rounded to the nearest three.
The bulk of the 3003 non-qualifying partners aged under 65 are between between 60 and 64.
In 2019, there were 13,231 non-qualifying partners receiving the payment.
A Cabinet paper at the time of the change noted that the payment was income tested but there were no work obligations for either partner.
It said the change was made as part of a shift towards assessing the pension on an individual basis.
"Partners who are unable to access the NQP provision will continue to have access to the main benefit system - eg Jobseeker Support, Support Supported Living Payment, or Emergency Benefit."
But economist Shamubeel Eaqub said people who were in that position were worse off.
"Unemployment payments are a lot less than super payments."
Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan agreed there was potential inequity between someone who had qualified for the higher payment because of their older partner, and someone who had not.
A person on JobSeeker Support at half the couple rate would get $307.42 before tax each week, compared to $476.47 for the NZ Super recipient.
Any additional income earned by the couple would reduce the JobSeeker entitlement but not the NZ Super payment.
Kiernan said about 2.5 percent of people aged 60 to 64 were on JobSeeker Support. That was a total of about 7800 people in August, compared to 8139 for 55 to 59-year-olds.
At the time of the change, the Retirement Policy Research Centre said there could be problems for couples if someone who was under 65 had to stop work to care for an older partner but could no longer access the same support.
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Got more greens than you know what to do with? 🥦🌱🥕
Whether it’s a courgette takeover or a feijoa frenzy, don’t let those garden gems go to waste!
Our suggestion to you: Did you know you can grate and freeze excess courgettes to use in chocolate cake later? It sounds a bit dodgy, but it makes the cake incredibly moist ... and hey, it counts as a serving of veg, right? 🍫
What’s your go-to move for a bumper harvest? Drop your best "glut" recipes or preservation hacks in the comments below! 👇
Poll: Does a savoury scone require cheese on top, or folded inside?
Help settle the great kiwi debate ... cheese on top, or folded inside?
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76.3% Inside!
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23.7% On top!
Illuminate Market 2026 is this Saturday 28th March!
With every Illuminate Market, we’re proving that diversity of mind is a strength! 💪
Recreate NZ's annual Illuminate Market is taking place this Saturday 28th March at Mt Albert War Memorial Hall & Reserve.
At Illuminate Market you can:
✨ Meet and purchase products from a wide range of disability-led microenterprises
✨ Experience performing arts and creative workshops from the disability community
✨Learn more about Moxie, Recreate NZ's work experience and training programme for young people with disabilities
✨Hear from and meet world-ranked T54 wheelchair racer and disability advocate, Jaden Movold (Guest Speaker & MC)
✨Participate in fun activities for the whole family
✨Enjoy delicious food from our vendors (vegetarian, vegan and GF options available)
✨Connect with friends, whānau, neighbours, colleagues and the wider community
Illuminate Market 2026
🗓️Sat 28th March, 4pm – 8pm
📍Mt Albert War Memorial Hall & Reserve
Free entry, all welcome!
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