Pensioners marched on Parliament yesterday, demanding that politicians remember them.  

And one of the biggest things on their mind is the rules around retirement villages.

Here’s an example:

A couple had been in their retirement village for 10 years. Needing more care, they decide to move out and find a more appropriate place to live.  

They’d bought their villa for $600,000, but under the current situation they’ll get just $400,000 of that money back. So, no capital gain at all. 

The village is then free to on sell the villa say for $1.2 million, and they don’t have to pay the couples $400,000 back until they find some to take over the licence. In some cases that may take two years. 

So, no capital gain, in fact a loss, and then no funds at all in the bank until the village decides to re-licence 

The only way a village works for you is if you stay in it until the day you die. But you will not be passing on any capital gains to your kids, you’re going to lose half your capital.  

That’s the deal. 

Labour’s Ingrid Leary promised to do something about this but lost the mandate. 

Now the Government continues to say they support our seniors, and they are also railing against taxes on capital gains. 

But our seniors are being hit with a defacto capital gains tax that far exceeds anything Labour has suggested. 

I think it may be time to walk the walk that you’ve been walking and talking but not doing. Let’s not ruin our seniors' last days by taking too much of the money they spent their whole life working to have. 

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On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 5th of November 2025, the unemployment figures get released today with economists picking a nine-year high, BNZ Chief Economist Mike Jones tells Andrew what today's figures mean for the Reserve Bank. 

Winston Peters has submitted a members bill which would ban the importing and sale of fireworks, Fire and Emergency NZ Regulatory Compliance Manager Adrian Nacey shares his thoughts. 

It seems the red meat industry might've survived despite trump's tariffs for now, Meat Industry Association Chair Nathan Guy tells Andrew what the future is looking like for the industry. 

Plus, UK/ Europe Correspondent Peter Anderson has the latest on British far-right activist, Tommy Robinson found not guilty of a terror offence and former England football captain Sir David Beckham has been formally knighted for his services to football and British society.

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There’s concern our cemeteries are running out of space, with some councils taking too long to secure new land. 

The Cemeteries and Crematoria Collective says many graveyards are already at or near capacity, forcing delays and limiting burial options. 

It warns too many councils are failing to plan far enough ahead, and many are excluding cemeteries from urban growth strategies that often focus narrowly on housing. 

Collective Chair Daniel Chrisp told Andrew Dickens that while 70-75% of New Zealanders prefer cremation now, there are still many communities and cultures that prefer burial.  

He says the option needs to be provided, so councils need to think strategically and proactively about it. 

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Consumer confidence could be turning around as borrowing rises. 

Latest data from credit bureau service Centrix shows residential mortgage and household lending have both increased more than 20% year-on-year. 

Personal loan and Buy Now Pay Later applications and business borrowing are also up. 

Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold told Andrew Dickens we're heading in the right direction, but it's still early days. 

He says many of the indicators for growth are still subpar but lower interest rates are starting to flow through. 

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Rain's on the forecast for today's 165th running of the Melbourne Cup.

There are no New Zealand-trained runners this year, but Smokin Romans and Torranzino were both bred here.

Newstalk ZB's Melbourne Cup correspondent Donna Demaio says those heading to Flemington will need to pack their brollies and coats.

She told Andrew Dickens the weather is dominating much of the conversation.

Demaio says it's expected to rain all day and even during the race.

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On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday 4th of November 2025, Centrix data shows more people are getting mortgages, Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold tells Andrew what this means for the economy. 

A new NZ Initiative report’s calling on the government to tap into GP data, Chair of General Practice Owners Association Dr Angus Chambers shares his thoughts. 

NZ Cemeteries and Crematoria Collective Chair Daniel Chrisp tells Andrew we’re running out of room to bury the dead.

Plus, Australian Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on the weather in Melbourne for the highly anticipated Melbourne Cup. 

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The GP Owners' Association's backing calls for the Government to make better use of primary care data.

A New Zealand Initiative report says information from GP clinics isn’t being systematically collected, unlike hospital and prescription data.

It argues the information could help identify prescribing issues and prevent unnecessary hospital admissions.

Association Chair Angus Chambers told Andrew Dickens this has been an acknowledged gap for a long time.

He says it has been collected individually before, but not systematically, which requires investment.

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9 people were left in a critical condition after a knife attack on a train in the UK. 

It is believed that a man on the train, which was moving from Peterborough to London on a fast-track line, pulled out knives and started attacking passengers once it was on the move.

UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Andrew Dickens that the incident was not terror related. 

'Originally counterterrorism police were investigating this. We are now being told it is likely not to be terror related.'

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The public service union says ACC has breached employee contracts with its working-from-home rule change.

The PSA's taking the agency to the Employment Relations Authority. 

It says ACC gave the union only one hour's notice when it told staff four weeks ago they would have to come into work three days a week - up from two. 

PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons told Andrew Dickens that ACC promoted jobs with three working-from-home days.

She says workers who got the roles now feel deceived. 

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Attracting the extra staff needed for 140 new hospital beds could be a challenge.

The Government's announced new wards for Middlemore, Waikato, Wellington and Nelson hospitals, in addition to a new Hawke's Bay ward announced earlier this year.

Health Minister Simeon Brown told Andrew Dickens funding has been approved to recruit the additional 350 staff needed.

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