REVEALED: Former Prime Ministers' travel perks generated $77,000 in taxpayer-funded FBT bills

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that on top of $300,000 per year on limousines for former Prime Ministers', taxpayers have been charged over $77,000 a year for the fringe benefit tax (FBT) on former Prime Ministers' travel services.

Taxpayers’ Union spokeswoman, Ella Dickson, says:

“Annual Reports from the Department of Internal Affairs reveal taxpayers were charged $78,742 for FBT on former PMs' travel in 2024 and $77,851 in 2025."

“We are currently in a fuel crisis where Kiwis are finding it tough as is to afford their own petrol. The annual $300,000 limousine bill is ridiculous enough – especially considering the cars are paid for regardless of whether they get any use – but taxpayers should not be paying for the tax on politicians’ perks as well.”

“This entitlement needs to hit the brakes. Taxpayers have enough of a tax burden, they do not need to be paying former politicians’ taxes as well. Christopher Luxon must make a U-turn: stop the perk or explain to taxpayers why his predecessors get a free ride while Kiwi households pick up both the bill.”