Getting around without a car
The Taxpayers’ Union is questioning the merits and costs of the “No car? No problem! Getting around your community without a car” brochure, released by the Office for Senior Citizens. The brochure’s purpose is to explain to senior citizens transport options when they can no longer drive.
The primary purpose of the taxpayer funded brochure is to make suggestions such as:
- “walking more often”
- “getting lifts from family and friends”
- “using taxies”
- “using public transport"
- “letting others use your car to drive you places”
- "public transport and getting family to drive you"
It has cost taxpayers over $37,000 to produce the brochures since 2005 (excluding the cost of staff time).
Instead of addressing pressing issues such as fraudsters preying on our seniors and elder-abuse, the Government is throwing money away at brochures that parrot what is surely common sense. When the brochure launched, the Minister for Senior Citizens even put out a press release to welcome it!
We think that publishing a brochure explaining that people can walk places is a waste of taxpayers’ money and public servants’ time. Take a read and tell us what you think via our Facebook page.
We know that politicians like to be seen to be doing something, but surely New Zealanders don’t need to be told by the Government that taking a bus is an option, when you can no longer drive.
To view the responses to our information requests lodged with the Minister and Office for Senior citizens, click the links below.