The Cook Islands government is delighted at New Zealand's loosening of the qualification rules around NZ Superannuation and the Veteran's Pension.
Photo: 123rf
The changes mean New Zealanders living in the realm countries, or planning to move there, qualify for NZ Super if they have lived on the mainland for 10 years past the age of 20.
Previously five of those 10 years had to be spent in New Zealand after the age of 50.
Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni said the New Zealand government wants to ensure people living in Niue, the Cook Islands and Tokelau are treated fairly.
The Cook Islands government has long campaigned for the change and Deputy Prime Minister Mark Brown said they are happy it has finally happened.
"It has been a long process for the Cook Islands in terms of allowing for Cook Islanders, who have spent a considerable proportion of their working life contributing to the New Zealand economy, being able to collect their pension entitlements here in the Cook Islands when they choose to retire.
"So we are very happy."
