Grey Power’s Rudi du Plooy says the scheme isn\u2019t a “luxury” for senior citizens, rather a necessity so they can “stay connected, stay healthy and stay independent for as long as possible”.<\/p>\n
Providing transport to health-related appointments is where the scheme truly shows its value, according to du Plooy, who said it makes the difference between reaching an appointment on time or missing it entirely.<\/p>\n
\u201cParking at Waikato Hospital is genuinely difficult, and driving isn’t always safe or affordable once you’re older \u2014 eyesight, reaction times, and the cost of running a car all factor in.<\/p>\n
“If we lose free travel at peak times, we’re effectively telling older people to either pay full fare at the exact times they most need to travel, or risk missing appointments.”<\/p>\n
![\"Rudi](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/rudi-du-plooy-believes-the-service-is-a-necessity-not-a-luxu-FLQBC7UQU5CVZB7TRKOBKOKSJY.jpg\")
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Rudi du Plooy believes the service is a necessity, not a luxury. (Source: Tom Lee \/ Stuff) (Source: Supplied)<\/p>\n
The council currently pays for the peak-hour service as the nationally funded SuperGold scheme only covers off-peak, weekends and public holidays.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a luxury exclusive to senior citizens in the Waikato, as the region is the sole authority nation-wide offering fully subsidised SuperGold travel during the morning peak.<\/p>\n
The price tag lands at approximately $155,000 annually for the council, with a spokesperson saying it was implemented in February 2022.<\/p>\n
“The change was introduced to help older people stay connected with family and friends and make it more affordable to attend appointments, including at Waikato Hospital,\u201d the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
‘A lifeline’<\/p>\n
![\"Waikato](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/waikato-regional-council-wants-to-be-aligned-nationally-in-r-6GDLK53LNRHOVJ2UY5E5DJKQXM.jpg\")
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Waikato Regional Council wants to be aligned nationally in regard to the scheme. (Source: Christel Yardley \/ Waikato Times) (Source: Supplied)<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a chord that\u2019s already struck true with the public, with one commenter on Local Democracy’s previous story saying the scheme is \u201ca lifeline\u201d for those travelling to the hospital for appointments during peak hours.<\/p>\n
\u201cI work at Waikato Hospital, which as everyone knows, hasn’t got sufficient parking. Our patients mostly fall into the SuperGold card demographic, and we advise them not to drive themselves to appointments,” they said.<\/p>\n
“This seems a very poorly thought out proposal. Maybe we could curtail the councillors’ overseas trips and meal allowances, and retain the vital lifeline that is also environmentally friendly?”<\/p>\n
Du Plooy is expecting strong engagement from the community, saying it\u2019s the kind of change “people notice immediately and feel personally”.<\/p>\n
“Many of our members are on fixed incomes, and even a small new cost changes behaviour: some will simply travel less, which risks isolation, which we know has its own health and wellbeing costs.<\/p>\n
“I’d expect submissions pointing out that this wasn’t costed as a \u2018nice-to-have extra\u2019 when it was introduced, it was framed as reducing isolation and helping older people stay connected and get to essential appointments.”<\/p>\n
Reduction of cost, alignment nationally and removal of inconsistencies with other services such as Te Huia were reasons given by council for the cut when queried.<\/p>\n