The bill as introduced seeks to change the residence requirements from 10 to 20 years. As introduced, the new requirement would also apply from the date of Royal assent, which has not changed. In the first reading, Mark Patterson spoke of the history of the current 10-year threshold. He noted that the current 10-year threshold came into law in 1938, when life expectancy for men was 65 and for women was 68. He also spoke of his intentions for this bill. His belief was—and I quote—"… New Zealanders, those that have been out of the country for extended periods, contributing to other economies, and recent immigrants to be able to receive the same benefits upon turning 65 as those of us that have been here doing the hard yards at home, paying our taxes, and contributing to our economy." The member currently sponsoring the bill has also spoken tonight of the generosity of our current scheme.