The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that Health New Zealand paid Russell Harrison to appear in a taxpayer-funded childhood immunisation campaign in 2023 while he remained on taxpayer-funded gardening leave from the Ministry of Justice.The advertisement has now been removed by Health NZ following questions from the Taxpayers’ Union...
Hi, We have bad news if you fell for claims the Government is shrinking Wellington's bureaucracy; good news on our Cap Rates Now campaign, plus this month's Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll and Peter Williams sits down with the Deputy PM David Seymour for Taxpayer Talk. But first – hitting the...
In this episode of Taxpayer Talk, Peter Williams is joined by ACT Leader and Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour for a wide-ranging pre-election interview on coalition tensions, regulatory overreach, free speech, KiwiSaver, Treaty politics, and ACT’s record in Government. From “political neutrality” rules for regulators and the Ministry...
The 2026 Rates Dashboard compiles the average rates increase for each of the territorial and unitary councils across New Zealand, allowing ratepayers to compare their council with others. This year’s Rates Dashboard includes a “total cost increase” that takes into account the councils where Local Water Done Well water delivery...
The Taxpayers’ Union is responding to comments made by Labour Leader Chris Hipkins on Newstalk ZB this evening, where he confirmed the Labour Party is open to supporting the Government’s proposed rates capping legislation.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“For the first time, Labour has backed away from its previous blanket opposition...
Responding to the Reserve Bank’s decision to raise the Official Cash Rate by 25 basis points to 2.50 percent, Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“Higher interest rates are what happens when Wellington refuses to stop spending.”“The Reserve Bank is being forced to lean on mortgage holders and businesses because the...
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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.
