The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through Official Information Act requeststhat the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry for Primary Industries and the Ministry for the Environment spent $303,026.78 sending 17 staff to the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil.Key facts:-The Ministry for the...
Responding to Labour’s announcement of millions more in taxpayer funding for AI adoption and start-ups, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Austin Ellingham-Banks said:“Labour has slapped ‘AI’ on an old-fashioned corporate welfare scheme for American Big Tech and called it innovation."“Businesses already have every incentive to invest in AI if it saves them...
Responding to Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong saying she would allow net core Crown debt to exceed Treasury’s prudent debt limit of 50 percent of GDP, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:“By Opportunity’s own claims, its tax package would cost New Zealanders more than $1,800 per household a year. On top...
Which bureaucrats are taking the most bed-days? Public servants are taking more sick leave every year. The average bureaucrat took 26 percent more sick days in 2025 than in 2021, rising from 8.14 to 10.26 days. Unless bureaucrats are getting sicker by the year, that points to a system with...
The Taxpayers’ Union welcomes ACT’s unequivocal commitment to no new taxes and is calling on National to do the same.Taxpayers’ Union spokeswoman, Ella Dickson, said:“National’s ‘no new taxes on working people’ fudge is already falling flat, with the Prime Minister unable to tell Kiwis what their tax bill will look...
The latest Taxpayers’ Union-Curia Issue Poll shows National voters overwhelmingly want the party to draw a clear line in the sand on tax: 58 percent of voters want National to promise no new taxes or tax increases, compared to just 25 percent who oppose. 76 percent of National voters want...
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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.
