Western Bay of Plenty Grey Power president Frances Denz says the organisation's regional body will accept a rise in GST if an independent audit proves tax cuts and superannuation increases benefit New Zealand's elderly.
Grey Power has spoken out against plans to raise GST to 15 per cent, but Prime Minister John Key has moved to reassure the organisation by promising to raise income levels for superannuitants.


Western Bay of Plenty Grey Power president Frances Denz.

Frances was at a Grey Power meeting in Matamata on Friday, which was attended by about 30 members from the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Waikato.
She says there was overwhelming agreement to accept GST if there was an independent audit proving the government figures benefit superannuitants.
But she says the general discussion concerning a GST rise was overwhelmingly rejected.
A delegate from the region will go back to Grey Power's national headquarters to deliver the message, says Frances.
Although Frances says there's outrage over a GST rise among Western Bay Grey Power members, she personally believes the government is not going far enough.
'I think they are missing an opportunity to reorganise the tax system. They are just playing around with the edges. They are being chicken.”
Frances says New Zealand has no hope of competing with Australia if the government continues to ‘play it safe'.