Key not concerned about migrants accessing pension

Mr Key doesn't agree that Chinese immigrants are getting access to the pension without contributing anything to the tax base. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Prime Minister John Key isn't concerned elderly Chinese are coming to New Zealand and getting the old age pension after 10 years in the country.

He said he was totally relaxed about elderly Chinese being eligible for the full pension after 10 years.

Mr Key responded to questions this morning on his way to caucus, following an attack by NZ First leader Winston Peters, who says his party would only pay a quarter the old age pension to elderly Chinese immigrants.

Mr Key doesn't agree that Chinese immigrants are getting access to the pension without contributing anything to the tax base.

"I don't accept that they don't contribute anything. Everyone makes some sort of contribution.

"We have rules and yes we could always take the view that we're not going to give people New Zealand superannuation after what is a fairly long period of time in the country, but then those costs often show up somewhere else," Mr Key said.