About Us
Who we are
We are New Zealanders who have formed a union to stand up for hardworking New Zealand taxpayers.
We stand up for taxpayers by exposing government waste, demanding value for money from public spending, and campaigning for a fairer, more efficient tax system. We believe politicians should spend taxpayers’ money with the same care they would spend their own, and that new taxes should be matched by reductions elsewhere.
We are independent of political parties and special interests, and rely on the support of New Zealanders who share our commitment to lower taxes, less waste, and accountable government.
We are not a political party, and we don't represent big business or special interests. Joining the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union only costs $25 per annum. Membership entitles you to attend our annual conference, AGM and other events, and you will receive regular informative communications from the Taxpayers’ Union.
Our Mission:
Lower Taxes, Less Waste, More AccountabilityOur Vision:
A prosperous, low-tax New Zealand with efficient, transparent and democratically accountable government
What we do
We fight for lower taxes, less waste and a more accountable government. We investigate and expose stories of government waste, scrutinise how taxpayers’ money is spent, and hold politicians and public officials to account when they fail to deliver value for money.
We make sure taxpayers have a voice where decisions are being made. We organise petitions and grassroots campaigns, make submissions on proposed laws and policies, publish research, speak out in the media, and give New Zealanders the tools to put pressure on decision-makers.
Our supporters
The Taxpayers’ Union is powered by nearly 200,000 members and supporters across New Zealand who share our commitment to lower taxes, less waste and more accountable government. They sign petitions, make submissions, take part in campaigns, share our work and provide the grassroots people-power that ensures taxpayers are heard in the corridors of power.
Our work is funded overwhelmingly by New Zealanders who choose to back what we do, with thousands of Kiwis contributing each year. This broad base of support allows us to remain fiercely independent of political parties and special interests, while campaigning on behalf of taxpayers across the country.
Most of our funding comes from thousands of New Zealanders making small-dollar donations, alongside larger individual donors and some corporate supporters. We welcome support from those who share our aims, but donations never buy influence: our policy positions and campaigns are determined independently.
Respecting the privacy of those who make our work possible
New Zealanders should feel free to donate to political and lobby groups and we respect the privacy of our supporters. That includes:
- the right to be kept updated on the work to which you have donated to and/or made possible;
- the right to privacy;
- the right to your personal information not being passed on to third parties; and
- the right to be removed from mailing lists at any time.
We don’t comment on the identity of members and donors as we do not have the right to breach their privacy in their choice to give to a worthy cause.
While we must respect their privacy, we encourage all our members and supporters to be vocal about supporting us. After all, we’re proud of what we do, and think our supporters should be too.
Our team
Dr. John Harman - Board member
Email: [email protected]
Bio: Dr John is a former surgeon who set up New Zealand's first Breast Clinic @ St Marks Breast Centre and Founded the Breast Cancer Cure Trust. He is known for his investment and innovation within the healthcare sector. John is now a unicorn investor and CEO of a solar power company.
Chris Milne - Board Member
Email: [email protected]
Bio: Chris is a former Hutt City councillor, a trustee and former chair of the Nikau Foundation (Wellington's community foundation), a trustee of the Nga Manu Nature Reserve, and a part owner and director of the boutique small goods manufacturer Martinez Ltd. He is a former ACT Party Parliamentary Chief of Staff.
Hon. John Boscawen - Board Member
Email: [email protected]
Bio: John is a businessman and former ACT MP and Minister of Consumer Affairs and Associate Minister of Commerce in the John Key Government.
Hon. Ruth Richardson - Chair of the Board
Email: [email protected]
Bio: Ruth was Minister of Finance in the fourth National Government and has been Chairman and Director of a range of private and public companies, including the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.
David Farrar - Co-founder & Advisory Board member
Twitter: @dpfdpf
Blog: www.kiwiblog.org.nz
Bio: David is a well known political blogger and commentator. David also owns and manages the specialist polling agency Curia Market Research and has an active involvement in Internet issues. He is an experienced political campaigner and former parliamentary staffer.
Jordan Williams - Executive Director & Co-Founder
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @JordNZ
Phone: (04) 282 0301
Bio: Jordan is a constitutional and commercial lawyer who manages the day-to-day operations of the Union. His background is in law and accounting and in 2011 he was spokesperson for Vote for Change, a lobby group that campaigned against the retention of the MMP electoral system. In 2019 Jordan was elected to the Board of World Taxpayers Associations.
Tory Relf - Head of Communications
Email: [email protected]
Bio: Tory is our Head of Communications. She joined the Taxpayers' Union from North Wales, where she was the Area Campaign Manager for the Conservative Party. She ran campaigns at all levels across the region, including flipping several safe opposition seats. Tory graduated top of the December 2024 cohort of the Campaign Leadership College and holds an MA in Politics from the University of Manchester.
James Ross - Head of Policy and Legislative Affairs
Email: [email protected]
Bio: James is our Head of Policy and Legislative Affairs, having joined us from the UK’s Conservative Party. He brings a wealth of political experience to the role from his time managing political campaigns for Cabinet Ministers, MPs, and Council Groups, as well as prior research experience from an MScEcon in Public Policy from Cardiff University.
Michelle van der Veer - Development Manager
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 027 226 0868
Bio: Michelle is our Development Manager. She has spent over 20 years in the manufacturing, import and distribution space including as a Director of her own company for 14 years and in general management of the family business. More recently Michelle has worked for a national residential group builder gaining insight into construction process, subdivision and multi-unit development. Having formerly worked for the New Zealand Opera company, Michelle brings a broad range of business development and professional experience to our organisation.
Ray Deacon - Economist
Email: [email protected]
Bio: After a career in public and private sectors, including seven years as New Zealand's Regulatory Affairs Manager at Rio Tinto, Ray was looking for a role that combined his enjoyment for advocacy and analysis. The Union fitted the bill perfectly. Ray has undergraduate degrees in science and economics, a diploma in business and a master's degree in economics.
Josh van Veen - Senior Policy Advisor
Email: [email protected]
Bio: Josh is a former Deputy Chief of Staff to Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and was recently a Visiting Scholar in Political Science at Victoria University of Wellington. Josh has over a decade of experience working across the public sector. He holds a Master of Arts in Politics with First Class Honours from the University of Auckland.
Amber Tatton - Grassroots Fundraising & Engagement Lead
Email: [email protected]
Bio: Amber is our Grassroots Fundraising & Engagement Lead, overseeing the organisation’s small-dollar fundraising and supporter engagement. She is internationally trained in political fundraising, PRINCE2 Foundation qualified, and previously worked for an MP in the UK. Amber also brings more than four years’ experience in New Zealand’s financial services sector and holds a BScEcon in International Relations and Politics from Cardiff University.
Rhys Hurley - Investigative Lead
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 027 522 9136
Bio: Rhys is the Investigative Lead at the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union, where he heads the organisation’s daily investigations. He joined the Union as an intern during the 2023 election while completing his studies and has worked with the organisation for the past three and a half years. Rhys holds a Bachelor of Laws from Victoria University and previously interned at South Taranaki District Council. He recently completed an exchange with the Union’s sister organisation, the UK’s TaxPayers’ Alliance.
Matt Larsen - Graphic Designer
Email: [email protected]
Bio: Matthew is our Senior Graphic Designer. Originally from the print industry in Invercargill, he works across print, motion graphics, video editing, and event photography and videography to turn our message and mission into clear, useful visuals. He has a print-trained eye for detail and exceptional digital skills, taking campaigns from concept to delivery and producing everything from reports and social graphics to short-form video. He also covers our events with videography and photography, so supporters can see the work first-hand.
Levi Gibbs - Campaign Strategist
Email: [email protected]
Bio: Levi previously worked as a Researcher at the Taxpayers’ Union before moving to BusinessNZ, where he focused on energy policy. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy, Politics, and Philosophy from Victoria University of Wellington.
Austin Ellingham-Banks - Policy Analyst
Email: [email protected]
Bio: Austin is our Policy Analyst. He’s in his penultimate year at university, studying a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Political Science and Public Policy.
Tyler Groenewald - Communications Officer and Generation Screwed Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Bio: Tyler is a Communications Officer and our Generation Screwed Coordinator, overseeing our campus outreach programme. Originally from South Africa and raised in New Zealand, Tyler was selected as a Youth MP in 2022. She graduated with a BScoSci in Political Science and History from Waikato University in 2025.
Ella Dickson - Communications Officer
Email: [email protected]
Bio: Ella is a Communications Officer and former intern. She graduated from Victoria University with a BA in Art History and English Literature. From her humanities background, Ella is interested in how language and narratives are frequently used in politics.
Sandra Conroy - Executive Assistant
Email: [email protected]
Bio: As Executive Assistant to Executive Director Jordan Williams, Sandra provides behind-the-scenes support that helps keep the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union’s operations running smoothly. With over 15 years in the tourism industry and 12 years managing administration for her family business, she brings strong organisational skills, adaptability, and a fresh perspective to the team.
Natalie Vermaak - Office & Finance Manager
Email: [email protected]
Bio: Natalie recently joined the Taxpayers’ Union as the Office & Finance Manager. Originally from South Africa, Natalie joins the Taxpayers’ Union from a national charity organisation. She oversees the day-to-day operations of the Taxpayers’ Union and its financial management. Her career has also included project management and tourism industry experience in both the United Kingdom and South Africa.
Is this you?
Bio: We are always on the lookout for great additions to our team. Do you enjoy politics and want to be part of a growing movement? Do you agree with the objectives of the Taxpayers’ Union? A background in politics, communications, law, accounting, economics or finance is an advantage but not necessarily a requirement. If this sounds like you, send your CV and cover letter to our Executive Director, Jordan.
Our ability to hire staff depends on our success in fundraising, support from members, and our current workload.
Annual reports
To view our previous annual reviews, click on the picture below:

Affiliates
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Auckland Ratepayers’ AllianceThe Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance is a grassroots coalition of Aucklanders and ratepayer groups dedicated to holding Auckland Council to account. An initiative of the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union and its Auckland members, the Alliance campaigns for affordable rates, responsible Council spending, greater transparency and better value for money. It acts as an independent watchdog on the Super City, exposing wasteful spending, scrutinising Council decisions and giving Auckland ratepayers a strong voice at Town Hall. |
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Wellington Ratepayers’ AllianceThe Wellington Ratepayers’ Alliance is a grassroots organisation of Wellingtonians dedicated to holding Wellington City Council to account. An initiative of the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union and its Wellington members, the Alliance campaigns for affordable rates, responsible Council spending, greater transparency and better value for money. As a watchdog for Wellington ratepayers, it exposes waste, challenges poor Council decisions and pushes for greater accountability and value for money. |
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Tauranga Ratepayers’ AllianceThe Tauranga Ratepayers’ Alliance is a grassroots organisation of Tauranga residents and ratepayers dedicated to holding Tauranga City Council to account. The Alliance campaigns for affordable rates, responsible Council spending, greater transparency and better value for money. It works to expose waste, challenge poor spending decisions and ensure Tauranga ratepayers are heard at City Hall. |
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Generation ScrewedGeneration Screwed is our student-led movement, giving young New Zealanders a voice on the issues that will shape their future. With groups on campuses across New Zealand, Generation Screwed campaigns for affordable housing, fairer taxes and sustainable government debt, while giving students opportunities to get involved in events, campaigns and activism. |
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World Taxpayers AssociationThe New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is a member of the World Taxpayers Associations (WTA), an international network connecting taxpayer advocacy groups across more than 60 countries. Through the World Taxpayers Associations, we share ideas, research and campaign experience with organisations around the world working to protect taxpayers, promote responsible government spending and champion economic freedom. |
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Atlas NetworkAtlas Network is a global network of independent think tanks and advocacy groups promoting free markets and individual liberty. The Taxpayers’ Union is an Atlas Network partner and has worked closely with the network through training, mentoring, funding, and international awards programmes. |









