They might not be as great in number, but at Fairview Care Residents home in Auckland many senior citizens at have a keen eye on the upcoming decision – and a few opinions about the potential leaders too. Barbara Cowie was born in 1920 – a time when she said the New Zealand political landscape looked very different to the way it does today. The population of about 1.2 million was, for a big chunk of the ‘20s, ruled by the conservative Reform Party and then-prime minister William Massey. “A lot has changed since then, [it’s] very different,” Cowie said.
Auckland-born and raised, Cowie will once again be putting pen to paper in the general election this year. Traditionally she has voted National and said that won’t be changing this time around despite the party’s recent woes. “My uncle was a representative for the National Party, and I have always voted for them,” she said. “I like Judith Collins. She’s had more experience, she’s older and very strong in her views. I like that she’s able to speak off the cuff very well too. I just want someone in there who is doing it for New Zealand. Someone who [in] everything they do has our best interests at heart.”
A little further down the hall at Fairview is fellow resident Irene Coleman. Originally from the United Kingdom, Coleman migrated to New Zealand with her family in the 1940s after they were forced to flee war-torn Singapore. She has been a staunch National voter most of her voting life –that was until now Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern took the wheel. “I always used to vote National, and have voted for Winston [Peters] before too, but I recently have become a Labour supporter,” she said.
“I like Jacinda, I think she has done a wonderful job and if I am still here come election time, that’s where I will be voting.” Coleman’s political shift was more about leadership than policy and she said she felt Arden was the right choice for Kiwis in any age bracket.
“Really, for me, Jacinda is the perfect leader because she is just very genuine, thoughtful, she’s very calm and fair to everyone,” she said.
For more information on independent senior living and Albany village apartments please go to https://www.fairviewvillage.co.nz .
