Letters to the editor: Great to see pension bill before Parliament

The Beehive. Photo / File

It is great to see a Bill before Parliament so people who move to New Zealand are going to have to wait another 10 years, making a total of 20, to qualify for our pension.

New Zealanders who have lived here all their lives and paid into the system for a long time can't get a liveable pension, and council rates that are out of control that eat up any increase in pension that we receive.

Graham Holloway
Gate Pa

Plight of young carers deeply moving

I was deeply moved by the Sunday programme on television (May 9) which covered the plight of young carers.

Too easily we dismiss youngsters as noisy, selfish, brats who care little about anything. Well, maybe a little more thought for those - many not yet in their teens - who give their time and energy to helping siblings and parents who are unable to care for themselves.

I must admit I had no idea about this sacrifice these children make.

I just hope that something may be done to help them, to give them some of the childhood pleasures to which they are entitled.

They too deserve care.

Jim Adams
Rotorua

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