# MP Profile: Casey Costello (NZ First)

**Party:** New Zealand First
**Electorate:** List MP
**Parliament URL:** https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/costello-casey/ _(Radware-blocked — inaccessible via automated scraping)_
**Current Roles:**

- Minister for Seniors
- Minister of Customs
- Associate Minister of Health
- Associate Minister of Immigration
- Associate Minister of Police
- Member, NZ First Caucus

**Relevance to Seniors:** 🔴 **HIGH** — _Minister for Seniors; portfolio holder with direct policy levers over NZ Super, SuperGold Card, aged residential care, and retirement village regulation._

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## Public Background

Casey Costello entered Parliament as a NZ First list MP in 2020 after a career in business, policy advisory, and community leadership. She holds degrees in law and arts and previously worked as a ministerial advisor, senior policy analyst, and commercial manager. Her background includes governance roles in health and social services. She is based in Auckland and has been NZ First's spokesperson on seniors, health, and social development since entering Parliament. Appointed Minister for Seniors (and multiple associate portfolios) in the coalition government formed late 2023.

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## Public Positions Relevant to Older New Zealanders

| Policy Area                       | Stated Position / Activity                                                                                                                      |
| --------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **NZ Super Age**                  | Strong commitment to retaining NZ Super entitlement age at 65. Opposed to raising the age.                                                      |
| **SuperGold Card**                | Advocates for expanded SuperGold Card benefits including off-peak public transport concessions and rates rebates.                               |
| **SuperGold Rates Rebate**        | NZ First pushed for a permanent rates rebate for SuperGold Card holders — a key coalition agreement item.                                       |
| **Aged Residential Care**         | Has advocated for increased funding for aged care beds, workforce pay equity, and dementia care capacity.                                       |
| **Retirement Village Regulation** | Supports reform of the Retirement Villages Act 2003 to strengthen consumer protections and improve transparency of occupation right agreements. |
| **Home & Community Support**      | Supports increased funding for home-based care to enable ageing in place.                                                                       |
| **Winter Energy Payment**         | NZ First policy position supports retaining the Winter Energy Payment for superannuitants.                                                      |
| **Veterans' Affairs**             | Associate portfolio interest in veterans' health and wellbeing.                                                                                 |

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## Voting & Bill Relevance

- **Retirement Villages Act Reform:** As Minister for Seniors, Costello is overseeing the review and reform of the Retirement Villages Act 2003 — directly relevant to the KB's legal/regulatory intelligence layer.
- **NZ Superannuation and Retirement Income Amendment Bill(s):** Portfolio responsibility for any legislative changes to the super scheme.
- **Social Security Amendment Bills:** Associate role in Health and Immigration gives her influence over bills affecting seniors' healthcare access and immigrant seniors.

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## Business Implications

- **Retirement Village Sector:** Direct ministerial oversight of RV Act reform — major implications for operators, developers, and ORA providers.
- **Aged Care Providers:** Portfolio influence over aged care funding, bed subsidies, and workforce regulation.
- **Insurance & Financial Services:** Policy positions on SuperGold, rates rebates, and retirement income affect financial product demand for seniors.
- **Pharmacy & Healthcare:** Associate Health role touches community pharmacy, primary care funding, and DHB-to-HealthNZ transition impacts on older patients.

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## Campaign Relevance

- **Coalition Critical MP:** NZ First's seat at the cabinet table makes Costello essential to delivering the coalition's seniors policy commitments.
- **Electoral Strategy:** NZ First's core demographic is 65+ voters. Costello's portfolio performance directly affects NZ First's re-election prospects.
- **Seniors Advocacy Voice:** Seen as the primary government advocate for seniors interests within cabinet.
- **2026 Election:** If NZ First holds the Seniors portfolio post-election, Costello will be central; if party retakes opposition benches, she becomes shadow spokesperson.

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## Source List

- Beehive.govt.nz — Ministerial portfolios and announcements
- Parliament.nz — MP profile _(Radware-blocked)_
- NZ First Party website — Policy platform, media releases
- Coalition Agreement — National/NZ First/ACT (2023)
- Official Hansard — Question Time, Budget debate contributions
- Ministerial media statements — Seniors portfolio, Customs, Health