CODE Gaming Taxpayers as Millions Vanish Without Accountability
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling for urgent reform after the Centre of Digital Excellence (CODE), a government-backed gaming grant scheme, has received millions in public funding.
Despite being started by MBIE and Dunedin City Council, CODE is structured as a limited liability company, meaning it doesn't have to comply with Official Information Act requests.
Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Rhys Hurley, said:
“Taxpayers have every right to ask where their money is going and whether it’s delivering real value for New Zealand.”
“When millions are being handed out to game developers, that’s money that’s not going to police, teachers, or nurses. We should be backing our frontline services, not speculative projects with little to show for it.”
“This isn’t just about waste, it’s about oversight. CODE is free to operate in the shadows, free from public transparency laws. That means no clear reporting, no independent assessment, and no way for taxpayers to hold them to account.”
“This is exactly why we need full OIA coverage for all publicly funded bodies. If taxpayer money is involved, Kiwis deserve the right to know how it’s being spent.”
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