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Latest News

REVEALED: Oranga Tamariki’s $2 Million PR Team – No One Paid Under $100K

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal, through a Official Information Act request, that Oranga Tamariki is burning through $1.97 million a year on salaries for a 14-person communications team.Every single one of these staff earn over $100,000.The team includes media advisors, senior comms managers, and a organisational communications manager.Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys...

NEW POLL: New Zealand First Surge, National Regain Lead

Good news for the Coalition as they extend their lead over the Centre-Left bloc this month, with National taking back the top spot from Labour in this month's Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll.For the first time in a Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll, New Zealand are the third most supported party, leapfrogging both the Greens and...

Building Better Councils

Rates are soaring, transparency is declining, and too many councils are distracted from their core tasks. Whether it’s funding vanity projects, hiring communications staff instead of fixing potholes, or embarking on ideological crusades, councils are too often putting their own agendas ahead of the ratepayers they are supposed to serve....

Tauranga’s Mayor Needs To Collaborate, Not Amalgamate

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling out Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale for pushing amalgamation across the Bay of Plenty, as combining councils means less local control and higher costs, not more efficiency.Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:“Amalgamation is always sold as a cost-saving silver bullet but the Auckland Super City...

Far North double-digit rates increase calls for action on rates capping

The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union is criticising Far North District Council following a 10.95 percent rates increase, just a notch below the 11.3 percent initially proposed. Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager for Local Government, Sam Warren, said: “These double-digit rates increases have become the norm across New Zealand, and its unacceptable.”...

‘Another gone, more to follow’ as Waikato Regional Council ditches LGNZ

The Taxpayers’ Union has praised Waikato Regional Council for its decision to withdraw its membership to Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) citing costs, relevance, and left-leaning politicalisation.Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union, said:“Councils have woken up to how disconnected LGNZ are from reality. Their six-figure memberships provide no value...

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Share secrets. Expose extravagance.

If you know of an example of government extravagance, waste or misspending, we want to know about it! 

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 verify the information. We will usually use the information you provide to seek details under the Official Information Act from the relevant government department or council. To report government waste, you can use the form on this page or email [email protected].

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About Us

Who we are

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.

Click here for more information about who we are

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:

  • Scrutinising government spending;
  • publicising government waste;
  • Arguing for an end to corporate and union welfare; and
  • promoting and efficient tax system.

Click here for more information about what we stand for

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Join Us

Joining the Taxpayers' Union costs only $25 and entitles you to attend our annual conference, AGM and other events.

Donate

With your support we can make the Taxpayers' Union a strong voice exposing waste and standing up for Kiwi taxpayers.

Tip Line

Often the best information comes from those inside the public service or local government. We guarantee your anonymity and your privacy.