8. MOANA MACKEY (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Youth Affairs
Has she received any reports on how young New Zealanders are benefiting from the policies taking effect from 1 April 2008?
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Youth Affairs) Link to this
Yes, there is great news for a lot of young people. I have seen a report that as at 29 February, 118,084 young people aged under 25 were enrolled in KiwiSaver. Over 75,000 were young workers between the ages of 18 and 24 years, many of whom will benefit from employer contributions to their accounts of about 1 percent. A savings culture amongst many young Kiwis will make a difference to their future. A Labour Government cares about that future.
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA Link to this
Members aged under 18 years are eligible to receive the $1,000 kick-start payment, and if they are employed they may receive voluntary employer contributions. The main benefits to young people joining KiwiSaver earlier come from joining the savings culture. The earlier we start saving, the greater security we have in the future. A number of parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles are signing up children in their families, and teaching the value of savings to the young. These values will carry through as young people join the workforce and start their own contributions. In addition to this, young people aged under 19 are supported in many other ways by a Labour-led Government—indirectly through the Working for Families package, cheaper and free doctors’ visits, and cheaper prescriptions; the list goes on.
Phil HeatleyI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. The member who protected the Government during my line of questioning by referring to long questions and answers was, I think, asleep when the Minister was giving her long answers. Could you please—
Madam SPEAKERI understand the member’s point. Would he please be seated. Unfortunately, the member did not take the advice and his subsequent questions were quite long. However, I ask Ministers to please keep their answers short. If all members did that we would not have the disorder that is frequently created.
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. The insult from the member for Whangarei does him no service, or this Parliament for that matter. He knows full well that I was reading some foreign policy papers; I was not asleep, like he was in a car recently, as was reported in the Northern Advocate.
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I withdraw and apologise for the length of my answer and for caring about young New Zealanders. Thank you.