Hi, Hello from Fieldays, where we've launched our Save the Family Farm campaign (more on this below). We've also got this month's Taxpayers’ Union-Curia Poll, a defence of the cost of the Official Information Act, and our Ratepayer Guide to Amalgamation, which breaks down the do’s-and-don’ts of local government reform....
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has released The Ratepayers’ Guide to Amalgamation, setting out a ratepayer test for council mergers ahead of the Government’s deadline for amalgamation plans.Taxpayers’ Union Senior Policy Analyst Josh Van Veen said:“Councils have been given just three months to prepare amalgamation plans. Ratepayers should not be forced...
The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on Labour to release the figures behind its claim that capping public transport fares across the country will cost the Crown just $65 million a year, after new analysis shows the true cost to the taxpayer could be three times as much.Using publicly available 2024/25...
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that on top of $300,000 per year on limousines for former Prime Ministers', taxpayers have been charged over $77,000 a year for the fringe benefit tax (FBT) on former Prime Ministers' travel services.Taxpayers’ Union spokeswoman, Ella Dickson, says:“Annual Reports from the Department of...
Labour’s plan to cap public transport fares would pour another $65 million into a system which is already 87 percent subsidised, up from 61 percent in 2015/16.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“Taxpayers are already picking up almost 90 cents in every dollar spent on public transport, which the average subsidy...
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling on Local Government Minister Simon Watts to close the Auckland IMSB voting loophole, after legal advice from Franks Ogilvie confirmed the Government can do so through a simple amendment to the Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill currently before Parliament.The advice confirms the...
Often the best information comes from those inside the public service or local government. We guarantee your anonymity and your privacy.
We ask for your contact details only so we can contact you to verify information or if we need clarification or subsequent refinement of an Official Information Act request. But you do not have to provide them.
If you are particularly concerned about anonymity, we suggest using an anonymous email account, such as Proton Mail, to email [email protected]
The Taxpayers’ Union is encouraging political and government insiders to ‘dob in’ examples of government waste and extravagance. Experience of taxpayer groups overseas suggests that many of the best tips come from within government, particularly bureaucrats frustrated with waste and inefficiency.
Cap rates. Cut waste. Respect ratepayers. Rates are out of control. The average rates bill has increased more than 43 percent since 2022 The UK and Australia have ALREADY INTRODUCED capped rates. It’s time for New Zealand to do the same
The Government have proposed to take billions of dollars' worth of drinking water, waste water, and storm water assets off the hands of local councils and put them under the control of four new unelected, co-governed entities. These reforms must be scrapped.
In 2025, we are releasing a series of briefing papers outlining what the Government needs to do so they can "Go for Growth". We'll be sharing a series of tax policy ideas and savings that will boost our economy. Economic growth isn't the silver bullet to all New Zealand's problems, but it comes close! Only with growth can we afford world class public services, to...
We are New Zealanders who have formed a union to stand up for hardworking New Zealand taxpayers. We represent the common interests of all taxpayers and aim to become New Zealand's largest union.
We are not a political party, and we don't represent big business or special interests. Joining the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union only takes a few minutes and costs $25. Membership entitles you to attend our annual conference, AGM and other events, and to get regular communications from the Taxpayers' Union.
We rely on people just like you to support and donate to our cause to fight government waste. Our annual operating budget is currently smaller than the smallest trade union.
The Taxpayers' Union stands for value for money for government spending. We want our politicians spending money as if they'd worked as hard the taxpayers who earned it and argue that new taxes should only be introduced when there are equal decreases in other taxes. We believe in a fair and efficient tax system. We are not a political party, nor are we aligned to any.
We promote sensible restraint of government expenditure by:
Joining the Taxpayers' Union costs only $25 and entitles you to attend our annual conference, AGM and other events.
With your support we can make the Taxpayers' Union a strong voice exposing waste and standing up for Kiwi taxpayers.
Often the best information comes from those inside the public service or local government. We guarantee your anonymity and your privacy.
