Age Concern New Zealand president Liz Baxendine has warned the Prime Minister of a 'perfect storm' of price rises in an open letter.

The nation-wide service organisation for older people opposes the GST rate increase to 15 percent.

Government needs to get its priorities right, says Age Concern. They say there's no money for older people facing elder abuse but today they've announced a $15 million electricity marketing campaign.

Age Concern says it's a tragedy that some seniors facing elder abuse and neglect get less support because they live in the 'wrong' parts of the country.

Proposed amendments to ACC legislation seek to exclude people with less than 6% damage to their hearing. If passed this could be the beginning of the end for minor injury cover, Age Concern New Zealand says.

Treasury's future options focus on financial issues, but Age Concern New Zealand says that social issues need to be considered too.

Age Concern New Zealand has named five finalists for the Patron's Award for the media. The winners will be announced on 1 October, the International Day of Older Persons.

Age Concern isn't surprised that electricity companies' domestic consumers are getting deeper into debt but says the hidden victims are senior customers who struggle to pay their bills.

The Market Review finding that power price rises have been 'excessive' confirms the tragedy of the past few winters, in which older people have gone cold and hungry.

You may notice that more older people than usual wearing are hooded sweatshirts next Wednesday, 12 August. The 'Goodie in a Hoodie' you see might also be an 'Oldie in a Hoodie' as older people show their support for young people.

Age Concern New Zealand says moves to cut tertiary education for over-65s are ageist and counter-productive.

"It's time to see older people as contributors to society, not as costs to be cut from balance sheets," Age Concern New Zealand president Liz Baxendine says.