# Winston Peters Railing Against Retirement Village Reform

> NZ First leader Winston Peters opposes coalition agreement on retirement village repayment reforms.
- Title: Winston Peters Railing Against Retirement Village Reform
- Summary: NZ First leader Winston Peters opposes coalition agreement on retirement village repayment reforms. NZ First leader Winston Peters rejects government's…
- Keywords: winston peters, nz first, retirement villages, retirement village reform, government, coalition agreement, bond scheme, retirement village residents, tama potaka, casey costello, politics, news
- Source: NZ Herald — https://nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/nz-first-leader-winston-peters-now-railing-against-retirement-village-reform-agreed-in-govt/AD33NW53ABBYVM55K3LCFABNYQ
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: winston peters, nz first, retirement villages, retirement village reform, government, coalition agreement, bond scheme, retirement village residents, tama potaka, casey costello, politics, news
## Winston Peters Opposes Coalition Agreement
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says he doesn't support what the coalition agreed to last month on retirement village repayment reforms.
## Bond Scheme Proposal
Peters promotes a bond scheme allowing residents who left units to access funds before sale.
## Uncertainty Over Reform
The reform affects key voter bases for National and NZ First after reports of residents waiting up to 15 months for repayments.
## Government's Repayment Change
On September 18, the Government confirmed a maximum repayment period of nine months instead of twelve months.
## Housing Minister's Announcement
Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka announced the Retirement Villages Amendment Bill would be introduced next term.
## 10% Early Repayment Requirement
The bill requires retirement village operators to pay 10% of a former resident's net termination proceeds within a month.
## Case of 97-Year-Old Resident
A 97-year-old resident faced borrowing money after waiting 15 months for repayment from his village.
## Government Delayed Action
The Government had promised to introduce a bill in mid-2026 but this didn't eventuate.
## Casey Costello's Support
Seniors Minister Casey Costello welcomed the announcement as a fulfillment of coalition agreement.
## Peters' Recorded Comments
Peters claimed the person was describing National Party policy and denied it was a coalition agreement.
## NZ First's Position
NZ First says the reform is a complex program with National policy not fully aligning to NZ First.
## Bond Scheme Details
Peters described a bond system where residents pay a small percentage to access funds before sale.
## Potaka's Position
Potaka said the reforms strengthen protections for retirement village residents while preventing extra fees.
## Labour's Policy
Labour proposed a three-month maximum repayment period with 10% upfront payment capped at $50,000.
## Peters' Recorded Response
Peters said, 'Do I look like the National Party? My name's not Potaka, my name is Winston Peters, the only great friend that you old people have ever had'.

> Do I look like the National Party? My name's not Potaka, my name is Winston Peters, the only great friend that you old people have ever had
## What Happens Next
NZ First will likely propose changes to the retirement village reform bill if re-elected.
## Key takeaway

NZ First leader Winston Peters rejects government's retirement village repayment reforms, proposing a bond scheme for early access to funds.