# 2026 Issue Brief — Live Political Monitoring Priorities for Older New Zealanders **Type:** Political & Campaign Intelligence — Integrated Issue Brief **Status:** Final **Date:** June 2026 **Classification:** Neutral business/campaign intelligence **Target audience:** Campaign strategists, policy advisers, advocacy organisations, aged care sector analysts --- ## Executive Summary Effective advocacy for older New Zealanders requires real-time awareness of parliamentary activity, select committee processes, ministerial announcements, and Opposition positioning. This brief synthesises the monitoring priorities for the next six months (July–December 2026), drawing on the KB's existing trackers to identify the bills, committees, oral questions, and submission opportunities that matter most. The next six months are unusually consequential: the Retirement Villages Act Amendment Bill is expected, the Disability Support Services Bill is before committee, the Pae Ora amendment bill continues through Parliament, and the debate over NZ Super age settings intensifies ahead of the election. This brief links to each existing tracker, identifies gaps, and provides a monitoring framework for campaign planning. --- ## Overview: The Next Six Months (July – December 2026) | Period | Key Parliamentary Activity | Priority Issues | | ------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ | | **July 2026** | RV Act Amendment Bill expected introduction; Disability Support Services Bill hearings continue; Budget 2026 implementation | RV Act reform, disability-aging interface | | **August 2026** | Select committee recess (typically mid-Aug to Sep) | Prepare submissions; monitor committee reports | | **September 2026** | RV Act Bill at select committee (if introduced Jul); Health Committee aged care inquiry follow-up | RV Act submissions due; aged care funding | | **October 2026** | Pre-election period (possible election called) | Party manifesto analysis; coalition positions | | **November 2026** | Election campaigning (likely election date) | Campaign monitoring; party commitment tracking | | **December 2026** | Post-election transition (if election held) | New government formation; coalition agreement scrutiny | --- ## 1. Bills to Watch (Priority-Coded) ### 🔴 Critical — Submission Required or Direct Impact | Bill | Status | Why It Matters | Next Milestone | KB Link | | -------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Retirement Villages Act Amendment Bill** | Expected introduction Jul 2026 (confirmed Government commitment) | Directly affects 50,000+ retirement village residents; ORA repayment reform, dispute resolution, enforcement | Select committee call for submissions expected late 2026 | `07_Bills_Hansard_Votes_and_Questions/2026 Tracker - Retirement Villages Reform.md` | | **Disability Support Services Bill** | At select committee (submissions close 12 Jun 2026) | New legislative framework for disability support; aged care-disability interface critical for older disabled people | Committee hearings; report back expected late 2026 | `07_Bills_Hansard_Votes_and_Questions/2026 Tracker - Seniors Relevant Bills.md` | | **Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Amendment Bill** | Reported back from committee; awaiting further stages | Removes Māori Health Authority; restructures health governance; affects aged care commissioning for Māori | SOPs and further amendments; remaining stages | `07_Bills_Hansard_Votes_and_Questions/2026 Tracker - Seniors Relevant Bills.md` | | **Redress System for Abuse in Care Bill** | Before Parliament; select committee stage | Redress for older survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care; many older people eligible | Select committee hearings; submissions | `07_Bills_Hansard_Votes_and_Questions/2026 Tracker - Seniors Relevant Bills.md` | | **Regulatory Systems (Social Security) Amendment Bill (No 2)** | Before Parliament; first reading pending | Amends NZ Superannuation and Retirement Income Act 2001; affects super settings | First reading; select committee if referred | `07_Bills_Hansard_Votes_and_Questions/2026 Tracker - NZ Super and Retirement Income.md` | ### 🟠 High — Monitor and Consider Submission | Bill | Status | Why It Matters | Next Milestone | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------- | | **Fair Trading Amendment Bill** | At select committee (submissions due 16 Jul 2026) | Increased penalties for misleading pricing; seniors disproportionately affected by scams | Submissions; committee report | | **Commerce (Commerce Commission Reform) Amendment Bill** | Before Finance & Expenditure Committee | Commerce Commission regulates retirement village sector and consumer markets | Committee hearings | | **Residential Tenancies (Registration of Boarding House Landlords) Amendment Bill** | At select committee | Boarding houses house many vulnerable older people | Submissions close 11 Jun 2026 | | **Social Security (Jobseeker Support and Accommodation Supplement) Amendment Bill** | At select committee | Tightens accommodation supplement eligibility; affects older renters on low incomes | Submissions close 10 Jun 2026 | | **Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill** | Passed first reading | Impacts health and safety compliance in aged care workplaces | Committee stage | ### 🟡 Monitor — Track Progress | Bill | Status | Why It Matters | | --------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Mental Health Bill** | Reported back from Health Committee; awaiting second reading | New framework for mental health; affects older people with dementia | | **Better Later Life (EPOA Reform) Bill** | Possible 2027 (in development) | Enduring Powers of Attorney reform; elder abuse prevention | | **Digital Identity and Trust Framework Bill** | Under development | Digital ID system; seniors may face barriers or fraud risks | --- ## 2. Select Committees to Watch | Committee | Key Business (Next 6 Months) | Why It Matters to Seniors | | ------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Social Services and Community Committee** | Disability Support Services Bill; Social Security amendment bills; RV Act (expected referral) | Central committee for aged care, disability, and social security legislation | | **Health Committee** | Pae Ora amendment; aged care inquiry follow-up; potential aged care workforce inquiry | Aged care quality, dementia care, health system restructuring | | **Justice Committee** | EPA reform (future); elder abuse legislation | Legal protections for older people; EPA reform | | **Māori Affairs Committee** | Māori health equity; kaumātua policy; Māori Health Authority disestablishment | Māori ageing, kaumātua services | | **Finance and Expenditure Committee** | Budget 2027 planning; Commerce Commission reform | Aged care funding, retirement village regulation | | **Governance and Administration Committee** | Retirement village regulation oversight | Retirement village consumer protection | --- ## 3. Oral Questions to Track Monitor **Question Time** daily for seniors-relevant questions. Key tracking priorities: | Theme | Expected Questions From | Targeted Ministers | | ------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **NZ Super age debate** | Labour, Greens, Te Pāti Māori | Hon Louise Upston (Social Development), Hon Nicola Willis (Finance) | | **Aged care funding** | Labour, Greens | Hon Dr Simeon Brown (Health), Hon Casey Costello (Seniors) | | **Retirement village reform** | Labour, Greens, Consumer NZ advocates | Hon Cameron Brewer (Commerce), Hon Casey Costello (Seniors) | | **Māori Health Authority disestablishment** | Te Pāti Māori, Labour | Hon Dr Simeon Brown (Health), Hon Tama Potaka (Māori Development) | | **Disability Support Services Bill** | Labour, Greens | Hon Louise Upston (Disability Issues) | | **Rural health services** | NZ First, Labour | Hon Dr Simeon Brown (Health), Hon Mark Patterson (Rural Communities) | | **Elder abuse and EPA reform** | Labour, Greens | Hon Paul Goldsmith (Justice) | | **Housing for seniors** | Labour, Greens, Te Pāti Māori | Hon Chris Bishop (Housing), Hon Tama Potaka (Māori Housing) | | **Winter Energy Payment** | Labour, Greens, NZ First | Hon Louise Upston (Social Development) | | **Pacific seniors health** | Labour, Pacific MPs | Hon Paul Goldsmith (Pacific Peoples), Hon Dr Simeon Brown (Health) | --- ## 4. Submission Opportunities (Next 6 Months) | Opportunity | Deadline | Committee | Priority | Action Required | | ----------------------------------------------- | -------------------- | ------------------------------------------ | ----------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Disability Support Services Bill | 12 Jun 2026 (passed) | Social Services | 🔴 Critical | Submission made | | Residential Tenancies (Boarding House) Bill | 11 Jun 2026 (passed) | Social Services | 🟠 High | Consider if made | | Social Security (Accommodation Supplement) Bill | 10 Jun 2026 (passed) | Social Services | 🟠 High | Consider if made | | Fair Trading Amendment Bill | 16 Jul 2026 | TBC | 🟠 High | **Prepare submission on seniors consumer protections** | | RV Act Amendment Bill | Expected late 2026 | TBC (likely Social Services or Governance) | 🔴 Critical | **Prepare for submissions — most important seniors engagement of 2026** | | Abuse in Care Redress Bill | Open (TBC) | TBC | 🔴 Critical | **Coordinate with elder abuse advocacy groups** | --- ## 5. Key Ministerial Portfolios to Monitor | Minister | Portfolio | Key Decisions (Next 6 Months) | Track Via | | ------------------------------ | ------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------- | | Hon Casey Costello (NZ First) | Seniors | RV Act Bill introduction; SuperGold enhancements; aged care reform | beehive.govt.nz; nzfirst.nz | | Hon Louise Upston (National) | Social Development + Disability | Disability Support Services Bill; NZ Super settings; Winter Energy Payment | beehive.govt.nz; msd.govt.nz | | Hon Dr Simeon Brown (National) | Health | Pae Ora amendment; aged care funding; health targets | beehive.govt.nz; health.govt.nz | | Hon Tama Potaka (National) | Māori Development + Whānau Ora | Māori Health Authority transition; kaumātua housing; Whānau Ora funding | beehive.govt.nz; tpk.govt.nz | | Hon Chris Bishop (National) | Housing | Housing supply for seniors; papakāinga; accessible housing design | beehive.govt.nz; hud.govt.nz | | Hon Paul Goldsmith (National) | Justice + Pacific Peoples | EPA reform; elder abuse prosecution; Pacific seniors health | beehive.govt.nz; justice.govt.nz | | Hon Mark Patterson (NZ First) | Rural Communities | Rural health services; transport for rural seniors; broadband | beehive.govt.nz; dia.govt.nz | --- ## 6. Priority Issue Watchpoints ### RV Act Amendment Bill - **Expected:** July 2026 introduction - **Key issues:** ORA repayment period cap; dispute resolution reform; enforcement powers; code of practice updates - **Advocacy timeline:** Pre-introduction lobbying (Jun–Jul); submissions (Aug–Oct); committee hearings (Oct–Dec) - **KB tracker:** `07_Bills_Hansard_Votes_and_Questions/2026 Tracker - Retirement Villages Reform.md` ### Aged Residential Care Funding - **Key issues:** ARRC contract review; workforce shortages; dementia care funding; accommodation bonds debate - **Advocacy timeline:** Budget 2027 planning (Jul–Oct); pre-Budget submissions (Nov–Dec) - **KB tracker:** `07_Bills_Hansard_Votes_and_Questions/2026 Tracker - Aged Care Funding and Residential Care.md` ### NZ Super Age Debate - **Key issues:** National's 67 policy (from 2044); NZ First non-negotiable 65; Labour and Greens support 65 - **Election implications:** Coalition negotiations post-election may determine future of policy - **Advocacy timeline:** Party manifesto launches (Sep–Oct); coalition negotiations (Nov–Dec) - **KB tracker:** `07_Bills_Hansard_Votes_and_Questions/2026 Tracker - NZ Super and Retirement Income.md` --- ## 7. Existing KB Trackers — Quick Reference | Tracker | Covers | KB Location | | ---------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Seniors Relevant Bills | All bills before Parliament affecting older people | `07_Bills_Hansard_Votes_and_Questions/2026 Tracker - Seniors Relevant Bills.md` | | Retirement Villages Reform | RV Act amendment and related policy | `07_Bills_Hansard_Votes_and_Questions/2026 Tracker - Retirement Villages Reform.md` | | Aged Care Funding and Residential Care | Aged care funding, ARRC contract, workforce | `07_Bills_Hansard_Votes_and_Questions/2026 Tracker - Aged Care Funding and Residential Care.md` | | NZ Super and Retirement Income | NZ Super, KiwiSaver, retirement income policy | `07_Bills_Hansard_Votes_and_Questions/2026 Tracker - NZ Super and Retirement Income.md` | | Housing and Older Renters | Housing policy affecting older renters | `07_Bills_Hansard_Votes_and_Questions/2026 Tracker - Housing and Older Renters.md` | | Select Committee Submissions and Reports | Submission deadlines and committee reports | `07_Bills_Hansard_Votes_and_Questions/2026 Tracker - Select Committee Submissions and Reports.md` | | Oral Questions and Hansard | Methodology for tracking Q&A | `07_Bills_Hansard_Votes_and_Questions/2026 Tracker Template - How to Track Oral Questions and Hansard.md` | --- ## 8. Recommended Monitoring Sources | Source | Why | Frequency | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | --------------------- | | beehive.govt.nz | Ministerial announcements; Bill introductions | Daily | | bills.parliament.nz | Bill progress; SOPs; committee stage | Weekly | | parliament.nz — Order Paper | Daily agenda; question list | Weekly | | parliament.nz — Select Committees | Call for submissions; committee reports | Weekly | | dpmc.govt.nz — Legislative Programme | Government's planned legislation | Monthly | | party websites (national.org.nz, labour.org.nz, nzfirst.nz, etc.) | Policy announcements; manifesto releases | As announced | | Hansard (parliament.nz) | Oral questions; debates; votes | Weekly during sitting | | Office for Seniors (officeforseniors.govt.nz) | Policy advice; seniors strategy | Monthly | | Retirement Commission | Independent policy analysis; submissions | As published | --- ## 9. Evidence Gaps - No consolidated tracker of oral questions related to seniors (manual process needed) - No systematic monitor of Parliamentary petitions on seniors issues - No local government monitoring framework (council-level decisions affecting seniors) - No media monitoring register for key journalists covering seniors issues - No pre-Budget submission tracker for Budget 2027 --- ## 10. Recommended Actions | Priority | Action | Owner | Timeline | | ----------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------- | ------------ | | 🔴 Critical | Prepare RV Act Amendment Bill submission | Policy team | By Aug 2026 | | 🔴 Critical | Track Disability Support Services Bill hearings | Policy team | Jun–Sep 2026 | | 🔴 Critical | Monitor coalition agreement renegotiation (if election called) | Campaign team | Oct–Dec 2026 | | 🟠 High | Prepare Fair Trading Amendment Bill submission | Policy team | By Jul 2026 | | 🟠 High | Track party manifesto seniors policies | Campaign team | Sep–Oct 2026 | | 🟠 High | Update all KB trackers weekly during sitting periods | KB manager | Ongoing | | 🟡 Medium | Establish oral question monitoring process | Policy team | Jul 2026 | --- ## Source List 1. NZ Seniors KB — Seniors Relevant Bills Tracker. KB: `07_Bills_Hansard_Votes_and_Questions/2026 Tracker - Seniors Relevant Bills.md` 2. NZ Seniors KB — Retirement Villages Reform Tracker. KB: `07_Bills_Hansard_Votes_and_Questions/2026 Tracker - Retirement Villages Reform.md` 3. NZ Seniors KB — Aged Care Funding Tracker. KB: `07_Bills_Hansard_Votes_and_Questions/2026 Tracker - Aged Care Funding and Residential Care.md` 4. NZ Seniors KB — NZ Super and Retirement Income Tracker. KB: `07_Bills_Hansard_Votes_and_Questions/2026 Tracker - NZ Super and Retirement Income.md` 5. NZ Seniors KB — Campaign Relevance Map. KB: `00_CAMPAIGN_RELEVANCE_MAP.md` 6. NZ Seniors KB — Decision-Maker Map. KB: `00_DECISION_MAKER_MAP.md` 7. NZ Seniors KB — Party Position Matrices. KB: `10_Party_Position_Matrices/` 8. Parliament NZ — Bills, Order Paper, Hansard 9. Beehive.govt.nz — Ministerial announcements 10. DPMC — Government legislative programme --- _Part of the NZ Seniors Knowledge Base — Political & Campaign Intelligence layer_ _Next review: September 2026 or after election date confirmed_