Over 65 and super warm? Give your Winter Energy Payment to those in the cold.

Recognising that not every super annuitant will need the New Zealand Government’s Winter Energy Payment they’ll receive from July, Auckland Foundation is calling for those who can afford to stay warm to donate it.

For the first time, a payment for those receiving their NZ Super of $450 for a single person, and $700 for a couple aims to help older people stay warm and healthy throughout the winter.

CEO Dellwyn Stuart says Auckland Foundation aims to make it easy for those who don’t need this extra help to keep warm to redirect the payment to one of the many Kiwi families who do.

“For many of us, we are fortunate to live in a warm, well-insulated home. We can afford to switch on a heater, buy wood for the fire, and keep ourselves and our loved ones warm and dry - sadly this is not the case for everyone. “Each winter approximately 1,600 deaths in New Zealand are attributed to damp, cold houses. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable.”

Auckland Foundation is working with the Salvation Army to ensure the money will be distributed to those most in need.

And for those too young to be getting the NZ Super, they can still make a donation online at www.aucklandfoundation.org.nz/superwarm

About Auckland Foundation

As one of 17 community foundations in New Zealand, Auckland Foundation’s mission is to enable efficient place-based giving. The community foundation structure enables cost-effective giving for donors who wish to make an impact by providing the legal, governance, compliance and fund management requirements, doing away with the requirement to set up numerous charitable enterprises.

Auckland Foundation offers flexible solutions to donor-advised funds, with funds pooled and invested in perpetuity, building an endowment for Auckland while also being distributed to support local projects throughout the year.

Currently the Auckland Foundation has 38 donor-advised funds under management and aims to build a $20million endowment for Auckland by 2020. About the Salvation Army

Since 1883, The Salvation Army has fought poverty and social and spiritual distress in New Zealand. They help more than 120,000 families and individuals in need each year—with budgeting advice, food and clothing assistance, life skills programmes and other comfort and support. At The Salvation Army we are committed to our mission of caring for people, transforming lives and reforming society.

© Scoop Media