The National-led coalition was elected on the promise of growth and responsible spending, and “Delivering on their election promises would be better late than never” said Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman James Ross.“New Zealand has one of the highest corporate tax rates in the developed world. It also has next to no...
The National Party was once seen as the party for farmers, but it seems that’s no longer the case. The Taxpayers’ Union can confirm that Climate Change Minister Simon Watts refused multiple requests by New Zealand’s largest farming group to meet ahead of his decision to ramp up the country’s...
Ashburton District Council has paid social media influencers $7,000 in an attempt to promote tourism in the area.Commenting on this, Local Government Campaign Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union, Sam Warren, said:“Rates in Ashburton increased by 17.90 percent on average last year alone. You’d think council would be more interested in...
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through an Official Information Act request that the Department of Internal Affairs have spent $375,048 on workshops provided by Te Kurahuna Limited in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 financial years.These courses aim to help bureaucrats become “change agents” by “connecting through indigenous wisdom.” 92 staff attended...
At 8pm last night – timed, presumably, to avoid pick up on the morning news shows – Climate Change Minister Simon Watts released New Zealand’s 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution to combatting climate change under the Paris Agreement.The target, which locks unavoidable agricultural emissions into New Zealand’s international targets, are even...
Dunedin City Council has agreed to open consultation on a $4.4 million boost in funding towards local events and festivals – described by one promotor as a ‘a drop in the ocean’.“It’s an unfortunate lesson in corporate welfare” said Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union.“If there...