Responding to today’s release of the March quarter 2026 GDP figures, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Austin Ellingham-Banks said:“0.8 percent growth is welcome, but it is no cause for complacency. Most of it was banked before the Iran shock arrived, so the June quarter will be the real test.”“We go into that test...
Responding to reports today that Minister Brooke van Velden is very dissatisfied with the way the Department of Internal Affairs discharged its governance role over Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:"Since Fire and Emergency New Zealand was formed in 2017, we have written three reports exposing...
The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to explain how Shane Jones was allowed to rack up a $63,000 travel bill after reportedly spending almost twice what had been approved, including a private limousine, on standby 24 hours over multiple days.Taxpayers’ Union spokeswoman, Ella Dickson, said:"Taxpayers will...
Labour has today promised to fund maternity scans through its capital gains tax, but the Taxpayers’ Union says the money has already been swallowed by other spending promises. Once again, Labour’s numbers do not add up.Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:“Using recent housing market data, Labour’s CGT would raise just...
The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union says revelations that public servants knowingly misled a Minister, deliberately avoided Cabinet scrutiny, and wasted millions of taxpayer dollars on a failed immigration project expose a culture of arrogance and impunity within the public service.Reports indicate officials withheld information from the Minister, deliberately bypassed Cabinet...
The Taxpayers’ Union says new figures on illicit tobacco show the Government’s sky-high tobacco excise is now backfiring.Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says:“Illicit tobacco has reportedly jumped from 27.2 percent to 33.5 percent of consumption in just one year. Wellington has taxed tobacco so hard it has effectively created...
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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.
