Are you getting your KiwiSaver Bonus?

You wouldn’t date the internet, so…

…why are you telling it everything about you? Not every website or app needs your name, address, birthday, credit card info, genealogy and baby photos even if they ask. Once it’s online, that data can linger, making it easier for hackers to buy it, steal it and even abuse it to commit identity fraud.

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People grant 24/7 location access to every app on their phone. Your location data can be some of the most valuable info online. Unfair pricing, aggressive notifications, and invasive ads which have targeted people based on their visits to hospitals and shops  are only possible because your location is being constantly fed to smartphone apps.

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People trust wayward texts and emails as though sent from long-time lovers. They even rely on cyberspace to carry their riskiest photos. If you wouldn’t behave this way with a new partner, you definitely shouldn’t behave this way with the internet.   

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Stay safe by scrutinizing every email, text and direct message that comes from an unknown sender. It could be a quick trick to deliver malware or a long-term ploy to steal your life’s savings. Turn off your location function if you don't actually need it. Don't forget: The internet is everybody’s ex. It knows more than it should, shows up in the worst places and refuses to let go.

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Handbook: Where from Here 2025

Where from here is a guide to aging in New Zealand. This handbook puts you in control; providing comprehensive information in one place to ensure you can make the right decisions for the future. So, what's covered:

• Financial assistance opportunities

• How to get a needs assessment

• Who pays what for care home

• A regional directory of all care homes and retirement villages

• And so much more

​A free copy can be picked up at the Grey Power Rotorua office. 

Energy Subsidies - Renewable v Fossil

We often hear the argument: ‘Renewable energies are too expensive and only work with subsidies.’ But if we take a look at the figures, it becomes clear that fossil fuels are also heavily subsidised by the public purse - worldwide.
 
According to the business magazine Capital, 12 trillion dollars were subsidised for fossil fuels worldwide in 2022. Direct subsidies accounted for 2.3 trillion dollars of this; the rest was made up of follow-up costs due to environmental pollution, health risks and climate damage. In comparison, according to the EU report, subsidies for renewable energies totalled ‘only’ 680 billion dollars (that is only 5.57% of the subsidies for fossil energies).

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Why these massive differences? Because fossil fuels cause continuous costs for raw materials, logistics and disposal - a bottomless pit. Renewable energies, on the other hand, mainly require initial investment, for example for solar plants or wind farms. After that, they generate energy almost free of charge and cause no environmental or health costs.
 
Subsidies promote innovation and ensure that structurally weak regions can also benefit from sustainable infrastructure. This not only applies to renewable energies, but has always been a recipe for success for the construction of roads, railways and communication networks - in both developing and industrialised countries.

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Grey Power Subscription: New Payment Option

You should have received your Grey Power subscription invoice by now. You will notice that the email contains a green button labeled "Review and pay". You can also see on the bottom of the invoice a link "View and pay online now". Click on either of these links it will give you the opportunity to pay by credit/debit card. A credit/debit card fee will be automatically added to your subscription. Note: Paying by credit/debit card is not available in the office (only EFTPOS and cash).