Summary

Pre-boomers and Baby Boomers comprise a large part of this segment: not surprisingly, many of them are retired and subsisting on their pensions. Others should be retired but can’t afford to be. With low incomes and conservative values, Still Workings consider interest rates and the needs of families to be among the most pressing issues facing the country, and aren’t too thrilled with how the government is dealing with them. 

Walk with Me

Janet always says she’s hopeless at cooking, but I love her beer-battered fish and chips. That’s what we were eating the other night, actually, when out of the blue, she asked if it bothers me that I have to keep working when most of my mates have retired. Of course it does! But with the cost of living like it is, and Susan in Polytech up in Auckland, what choice do I have?

Mind you, sometimes I wonder whether the pension could be any worse than my wage. I work for an agricultural supplies company: it pays the bills and some of Susan’s study fees, but that’s all. I’m sure we were better off ten years ago. Still, we manage. Janet isn’t that interested in shopping, and I maintain the Ford myself so we don’t have to pay a mechanic.

We’ve lived in Kaitia our whole lives; it’s a close-knit community. Most weekends I’ll go for a fish at Ninety Mile Beach with my mates Ken and Graeme; sometimes we’ll make a day of it and drive to Hokianaga Harbour for a bit more fishing. Janet doesn’t mind: she’ll visit a friend, or tend to her rose garden, or just play with the cats. We’ve got two ragdolls – too needy, if you ask me, but now that Susan’s gone they’ve become her substitute babies.

Tonight we’re having a quiet one. Janet’s cooking a roast, and then we’ll watch the Warriors.