Labour and New Zealand First are disagreeing over how much a planned upgrade to Gold Card will cost.
Jacinda Ardern and Winston Peters speak after signing the coalition agreement. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
The upgrade was revealed to be part of the Labour-New Zealand First coalition deal yesterday.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said the new generation card he campaigned on would give users access to consumer deals and banking, along with other entitlements and concessions.
Mr Peters said his party estimated the upgrade would cost between $6m and $8m a year, although Labour had a slightly higher number, he said.
Incoming Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said one free visit a year to the doctor will be included, costing about $16m.
Mr Peters said it was not a large cost given that the card will be held by 687,000-plus, and be one super smart card for all sorts of things to do with their health, their medicine and drug stores.
