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  1. $1 billion savings welcome – but policy campfire doesn't go far enough

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has welcomed the Prime Minister's announcement of $1 billion of savings from dropping unpopular policies, including that ‘cash for clunkers’ scheme, but has said that this does not go far enough.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said:"This $568 million 'cash for clunkers' scheme was simply classic middle class...

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  2. Wellington City Council must slash waste to prepare for climate change

    Wellington City Council must slash waste to prepare for climate changeOn Monday, The Dominion Post reported that Wellington City Council’s Environment and Infrastructure Committee has been advised to spend an additional $15.4 million on retaining walls to prevent floods and land slippage caused by extreme weather.Taxpayers’ Union Local Government spokesperson, Josh...

    Read more about Wellington City Council must slash waste to prepare for climate change

  4. Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL Labour takes the lead 📊💥 | Media merger still costing thousands 📺💰 | Clarke Gayford's taxpayer-funded trip 🐧🛩️

    NEW POLL Labour takes lead over National while Hipkins's popularity continues to soar 📊💥Exclusive to supporters like you, we can reveal the results of this month's Taxpayers' Union – Curia Poll and it’s a big one. On these numbers, October’s election is set to be a close one.For the...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL Labour takes the lead 📊💥 | Media merger still costing thousands 📺💰 | Clarke Gayford's taxpayer-funded trip 🐧🛩️

  6. Government U-turn highlights confused transport policy

    Government U-turn highlights confused transport policyYesterday’s quick U-turn from the Government on the reported shift to an emissions reduction focus for the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF) highlights a more fundamental problem with transport policy making. Forcing road users to subsidise walking, cycling and other activities is not only...

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  7. Taxpayer Update: Labour's app tax 📱🧾 | Why Rob Campbell had to go 🪑❌ | Taxpayer-funded fringe activism 🎭💵

    No new taxes? Say hello to the Government's 'app tax'📱🧾For a Government that committed not to introduce new taxes, they seem to be doing a good job of coming up with innovative ideas for how to pinch more of your hard earned dollars.Remember the furore last year about...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Labour's app tax 📱🧾 | Why Rob Campbell had to go 🪑❌ | Taxpayer-funded fringe activism 🎭💵

  8. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Rob Campbell and Jordan Williams on neutrality in the public service

    On this episode of Taxpayer Talk, Peter Williams speaks with former Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand Chair, Rob Campbell, to discuss political neutrality within the public service. Campbell was publicly sacked from his high-profile position in the public service after making controversial comments about the National Party's Three...

    Read more about Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Rob Campbell and Jordan Williams on neutrality in the public service

  10. Taxpayers shouldn’t be made to foot the bill for fringe activism

    The Taxpayers’ Union had called for the Government to stop allowing taxpayer dollars to be spent on funding fringe activism. The call comes after a stage show called ‘The Savage Coloniser’ received $107,280.Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, said:“People will have different views on the value of arts funding. You...

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  11. NEW POLL: Kiwis still trust Luxon/Willis marginally over Hipkins/Robertson on economy

    NEW POLL: Kiwis still trust Luxon/Willis marginally over Hipkins/Robertson on economyA new Taxpayers' Union – Curia poll found that New Zealanders narrowly preferred Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis (43% of respondents) to Chris Hipkins and Grant Robertson (39%) as the most trusted team to manage the economy. 18% of respondents...

    Read more about NEW POLL: Kiwis still trust Luxon/Willis marginally over Hipkins/Robertson on economy

  12. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Nick Stewart on the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle

    This week on Taxpayer Talk, Peter Williams sits down with Nick Stewart to discuss the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle. The recent cyclone devastated many parts of the country, particularly Hawke's Bay and Gisborne on the East Coast of the North Island. Along with claiming lives and livelihoods, the cyclone...

    Read more about Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Nick Stewart on the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle

  13. Position of Health NZ Chair untenable

    Position of Health NZ Chair untenableHighly political comments by Rob Campbell — who is Chair of both Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand and the Environmental Protection Agency —  make his continued employment as one of the Government’s most senior public servants untenable, says the Taxpayers’ Union. The Union has written to the Public...

    Read more about Position of Health NZ Chair untenable

  14. Taxpayers’ Union Welcomes National’s Three Waters Alternative

    Taxpayers’ Union Welcomes National’s Three Waters AlternativeNational’s ‘Local Water Done Well’ alternative to Three Waters is bang on what the Taxpayers’ Union and local councils have been calling for. It meets the Taxpayers’ Union’s red lines of respecting property rights, retaining community control, ensuring local accountability, giving councils the ability to opt into...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union Welcomes National’s Three Waters Alternative

  15. Taxpayer Update: How to cut wasteful spending 💰 | Hipkins spent $1 million on truancy 'awareness' 🏫❌ | High Court confirms Three Waters is asset grab ⚖️🚰

    It's been a tough few weeks. Like so many, our team in Wellington have family and friends who have lost their homes and livelihoods following Cyclone Gabrielle and our thoughts continue to be with all of those who have been affected. Government must cut wasteful spending – not hike...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: How to cut wasteful spending 💰 | Hipkins spent $1 million on truancy 'awareness' 🏫❌ | High Court confirms Three Waters is asset grab ⚖️🚰

  16. Government needs to tighten its belt following latest OCR hike

    Government needs to tighten its belt following latest OCR hikeThe Taxpayers’ Union has called on the Government to tighten its belt as the Reserve Bank announces a 50 basis points increase in the Official Cash Rate (OCR).Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said:“Kiwis needing to renew their mortgages will bear the...

    Read more about Government needs to tighten its belt following latest OCR hike

  17. PM Hipkins must issue ‘please explain’ to former Minister of Education Hipkins

    New Zealand’s new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins recently announced a $74million package that would bring back “truancy officers” with 82 new roles established in a bid to curtail the dismal school attendance statistics that are now widely acknowledged to be at crisis point. While this pragmatic measure will be welcomed...

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  18. Government should cut wasteful spending – not hike taxes – to fund cyclone clean up

    Government should cut wasteful spending – not hike taxes – to fund cyclone clean upThe Taxpayers’ Union is calling on the Government to rule out raising taxes to fund the cost of the Cyclone Gabrielle clean up after earlier today Chris Hipkins refused to rule out a ‘cyclone levy’ similar...

    Read more about Government should cut wasteful spending – not hike taxes – to fund cyclone clean up

  19. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Dr Oliver Hartwich and Callum Purves on the future of local government

    In the latest edition of Taxpayer Talk, the focus is on local government with guests Dr Oliver Hartwich and Callum Purves. A review into the future of local government has been commissioned but it fails to address the main issues affecting the sector, in particular the way it’s...

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  20. Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL Labour bounce 📊 | Taxpayer Victories! TVNZ/RNZ Merger Scrapped 📺🔥 | Jobs Tax Put on Ice 💰🧊

    First and foremost, our thoughts are with those who are facing yet more severe weather across the North Island with Cyclone Gabrielle.Last week was a big week for the Taxpayers' Union with multiple policy victories announced by the Prime Minister, Chris Hipkins: The jobs tax was put on...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL Labour bounce 📊 | Taxpayer Victories! TVNZ/RNZ Merger Scrapped 📺🔥 | Jobs Tax Put on Ice 💰🧊

  21. Eleanor Catton should put our money where her mouth is and pay it back

    Eleanor Catton should put our money where her mouth is and pay it backThe Taxpayers’ Union is hitting back against Eleanor Catton’s cheap shots aired on Radio NZ over the weekend, where she labeled the Union 'sinister' for publishing the generous subsidies Ms Catton had received following her earlier attacks on the NZ Government being run by...

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  22. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Paul Melville and Mark Hooper on the Resource Management Reforms

    In the latest edition of Taxpayer Talk, host Peter Williams talks with Federated Farmers’ Paul Melville and Mark Hooper about the proposed new planning and environmental legislation to replace the Resource Management Act.While there is almost unanimous agreement the much maligned RMA needs to be updated and changed,...

    Read more about Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Paul Melville and Mark Hooper on the Resource Management Reforms

  23. Taxpayer Victory! Government scraps jobs tax (for now)

    Taxpayer Victory! Government scraps jobs tax (for now)The Taxpayers’ Union has welcomed the Government’s decision to take the proposed social insurance scheme off the table for the rest of this parliament but has warned against bringing back similar proposals in future.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said:“The Government’s unemployment insurance scheme...

    Read more about Taxpayer Victory! Government scraps jobs tax (for now)

  24. Policy victory for the Taxpayers’ Union: Hipkins scraps the media merger no one wanted

    Policy victory for the Taxpayers’ Union: Hipkins scraps the media merger no one wantedThe Taxpayers’ Union is delighted at the news that the TVNZ/RNZ media merger is to be scrapped.Taxpayers' Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, said:“Our former Chairman, a former TVNZ board member, Barrie Saunders was among the...

    Read more about Policy victory for the Taxpayers’ Union: Hipkins scraps the media merger no one wanted

  25. Taxpayer Update: Taxpayer Victory! Fuel tax cut extended ⛽💸 | New Local Government Minister 💼💦 | Turning taxpayer dollars into stone 💰🪨

    Quite rightly, the focus of the media this week has been the terrible flooding situation in Auckland – for those affected by the flooding, our thoughts are with you.It's also been a a busy week in politics. We are delighted that more than 11,000 of our supporters have written...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Taxpayer Victory! Fuel tax cut extended ⛽💸 | New Local Government Minister 💼💦 | Turning taxpayer dollars into stone 💰🪨

  26. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Stephen Franks on the Three Waters Legal Challenge

    In our first episode of Taxpayer Talk for 2023, Peter Williams is joined by lawyer Stephen Franks. Stephen is a founding director of the commercial and public law firm Franks Ogilvie, a former member of Parliament and spokesperson for the Water Users' Group. Stephen joins Peter to discuss why...

    Read more about Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Stephen Franks on the Three Waters Legal Challenge

  27. Right call to end blanket Auckland school closure

    Right call to end blanket Auckland school closureThe Taxpayers’ Union has welcomed the decision to lift the Ministry of Education’s directive on Auckland schools and other learning facilities, which means schools can open from tomorrow at their discretion.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves said:“It has been a difficult time for Aucklanders but...

    Read more about Right call to end blanket Auckland school closure

  28. Taxpayers’ Union welcomes decision to extend fuel tax cut

    Taxpayers’ Union welcomes decision to extend fuel tax cutThe Taxpayers’ Union – which has been campaigning for an extension to the diesel road-user charges and petrol excise reductions – has welcomed the Government’s announcement today that the fuel tax cuts will continue until 30 June.They have, however, called on the Government...

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  29. Taxpayers’ Union welcomes new Minister for Local Government

    Taxpayers’ Union welcomes new Minister for Local GovernmentThe Taxpayer’s Union has welcomed the appointment of a new Minister for Local Government and encouraged Kieran McAnulty to press pause on the Three Waters reforms.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said:“A new Minister for Local Government presents an opportunity for the Government...

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  31. Let our Schools Decide: Taxpayers’ Union launches petition

    Let our Schools Decide: Taxpayers’ Union launches petitionThe New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has launched a petition calling for schools to have the authority to make their own decisions about emergency closures based on local circumstances rather than be beholden to bureaucrats in Wellington.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager Callum Purves says:“The blanket...

    Read more about Let our Schools Decide: Taxpayers’ Union launches petition

  32. SNAP POLL: Hipkins clear voter favourite for Labour Party leadership race

     Following Thursday’s surprise announcement by Jacinda Ardern that she will be stepping down as Labour Party leader, the Taxpayers’ Union commissioned a snap poll asking a thousand New Zealanders who should take over as Prime Minister and whether leading candidates will make voters more or less likely to...

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  33. Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL – PM goes negative as Labour hits new low 📊 | Extra holidays for public servants 🏖️💰 | Damien O'Connor's laundry bill 🧺🧼

    Welcome to the first Taxpayer Update of 2023! I hope you had a good break.Yesterday's shock announcement of Jacinda Ardern's resignation as prime minister is likely to improve Labour's chances of re-election later this year, based on numbers we're releasing today in the first political poll of 2023.We don't yet...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL – PM goes negative as Labour hits new low 📊 | Extra holidays for public servants 🏖️💰 | Damien O'Connor's laundry bill 🧺🧼

  34. Vegetarian Conversion

    Auckland Council discriminates against vegetarians in $46,000 giveaway to meat eatersAuckland Council spends $46,227 on a giveaway coercing meat-eating households to convert to vegetarianism. Around 2 months ago, one of our supporters notified us of an email they received where participants had the chance to obtain a free giveaway...

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  36. Extra Holidays for Public Servants

    Revealed: Taxpayers spending at least $75 million per year on additional days off for public servantsNew research from the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union reveals that public servants are receiving additional days of paid leave, beyond their statutory entitlements, amounting to more than $75 million per year. This year,...

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  37. Revealed: Taxpayers spending at least $75 million per year on additional days off for public servants

    New research from the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union reveals that public servants are receiving additional days of paid leave, beyond their statutory entitlements, amounting to more than $75 million per year.This year, taxpayers paid public servants for over 167,000 days that they weren’t even at work, excluding the...

    Read more about Revealed: Taxpayers spending at least $75 million per year on additional days off for public servants

  38. Taxpayer Update: Taxes going up at the pump ⛽💲 | Tick-Tock on the Debt Clock 💰⏰ | Apology to ACT 🥺🙏🙇

    Tell Grant Robertson to Freeze Fuel Taxes ⛽💲After a very successful Taxpayers' Union campaign earlier this year, the Government cut fuel taxes by 25c per litre (that's 29c once you include the GST). This policy victory saw a $1.39 billion ($715 per Kiwi household) saving at the pump.But as an early...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Taxes going up at the pump ⛽💲 | Tick-Tock on the Debt Clock 💰⏰ | Apology to ACT 🥺🙏🙇

  39. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Christmas Special with Hon Ruth Richardson and Jordan Williams

    In this year's final episode of Taxpayer Talk, Peter Williams hosts fellow Taxpayers' Union board members Hon Ruth Richardson and Executive Director, Jordan Williams, to review the highs and lows of 2022.Peter sits down with Ruth and Jordan to discuss everything from the economy to education to Winston Peters.As...

    Read more about Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Christmas Special with Hon Ruth Richardson and Jordan Williams

  40. Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL 📊 | ACT wrong on indexation 💸 | Kiwis back lobbying cooling-off period 🥶

    We were right: Three Waters = Higher Water Costs 💦💰The NZ Herald has confirmed what your humble Taxpayers' Union has been saying all along – Three Waters means higher water costs. Now that the first bill to implement the Three Waters reforms has passed Parliament, the Government is moving onto...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL 📊 | ACT wrong on indexation 💸 | Kiwis back lobbying cooling-off period 🥶

  43. Taxpayer Update: Three Waters Game Playing 💦 | National's U-Turns 💸 | Logo Competition Winner 🎨

    It's been another eventful week in Wellington with U-turns from National and constitutional game-playing from Labour and the Greens.But before we get to that – the team are off to Hamilton on Monday for our Hamilton West by-election debate jointly hosted by the Taxpayers' Union and our friends...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Three Waters Game Playing 💦 | National's U-Turns 💸 | Logo Competition Winner 🎨

  44. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Dr James McDowall MP on the Hamilton West by-election

    This week on Taxpayer Talk, Peter Williams hosts ACT Party MP Dr James McDowall. Peter sits down with James to discuss his candidacy for the Hamilton West by-election. The three highest polling candidates for Hamilton West were all invited to appear on this podcast but only Dr McDowall agreed...

    Read more about Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Dr James McDowall MP on the Hamilton West by-election

  45. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Andrew Bayly MP on the IRD’s new powers

    In this edition of Taxpayer Talk, Peter Williams’s guest is National Party MP and Revenue Spokesperson, Andrew Bayly. Peter and Andrew sit down to discuss the Inland Revenue Department's new powers to request information from individuals. In 2020, while all the attention was focused on the new 39% top...

    Read more about Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Andrew Bayly MP on the IRD’s new powers

  46. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Novelist Alan Duff on Education and Social Outcomes

    In this edition of Taxpayer Talk, Peter Williams’s guest is author Alan Duff, the creator of the hugely successful and influential book and movie Once Were Warriors and the founder of the Duffy Books in Homes programme. Duff's best known book and the movie came out around thirty years...

    Read more about Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Novelist Alan Duff on Education and Social Outcomes

  47. Taxpayer Update: Three Waters Poll 💦📊 | Taxman Takeover 💰🤥 | Taxpayer Talk 🎙️

    We are winning! New poll shows opposition to Three Waters at record high 💦📊Last week, we released a new poll that showed opposition to the Government's Three Waters reforms has reached a new high. 60 percent of Kiwis are now against the proposals while just 23 percent are in...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Three Waters Poll 💦📊 | Taxman Takeover 💰🤥 | Taxpayer Talk 🎙️

  49. Peter Williams hosts Taxpayer Talk: Danish Free Speech advocate Jacob Mchangama

    This week, Peter Williams hosts free speech campaigner Jacob Mchangama, a Danish lawyer who recently visited New Zealand. His visit was prescient as the Justice Minister Kiri Allan has recently promised that hate speech legislation will be in our Parliament by the end of the year.Jacob is the...

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  51. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Dr Claire Charters on He Puapua and Co-Governance

    This week Peter Williams is back on Taxpayer Talk with a highly anticipated interview with Auckland University's Dr Claire Charters.  Claire's research has focused on indigenous peoples’ rights in international and constitutional law, including how the Treaty of Waitangi should interact with our legal system.Claire was one of...

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  52. Taxpayer Talk with Jordan Williams: Campaigns Manager Callum Purves + UK TaxPayers' Alliance CE John O'Connell

    As Peter is away this week, the latest Taxpayer Talk podcast is hosted by Taxpayers' Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams (no relation), with something of a UK special. Jordan sits down with the Taxpayers' Union's most recent hire, Callum Purves, who is our new Campaigns Manager. Callum has...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk with Jordan Williams: Campaigns Manager Callum Purves + UK TaxPayers' Alliance CE John O'Connell

  53. Taxpayer Update: POLL: 3 in 5 Oppose Income Insurance | Tax Relief Must Be Paid For | Mayors Should Stop Three Waters

    To view this newsletter online, click here. To share it on Facebook, click here.Dear Supporter,This week, we found out that the annual inflation rate had barely changed and the quarterly rate is actually on the rise. While the Government has been failing to do its job to control...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: POLL: 3 in 5 Oppose Income Insurance | Tax Relief Must Be Paid For | Mayors Should Stop Three Waters

  54. Taxpayer Update: Centre-Right stay on top in new poll 📊 | Mayors oppose Three Waters | Stop the fuel tax hike

     It has been a good week for ratepayers and taxpayers with a big swing against 'tax and spend' candidates across most of the country in the local body elections. For Labour, many commentators are saying it's a warning. So too is our latest poll, released just now.NEW POLL:...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Centre-Right stay on top in new poll 📊 | Mayors oppose Three Waters | Stop the fuel tax hike

  55. Taxpayer Update: Centre-Right stay on top in new poll 📊 | Mayors oppose Three Waters | Stop the fuel tax hike

     It has been a good week for ratepayers and taxpayers with a big swing against 'tax and spend' candidates across most of the country in the local body elections. For Labour, many commentators are saying it's a warning. So too is our latest poll, released just now.NEW POLL:...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Centre-Right stay on top in new poll 📊 | Mayors oppose Three Waters | Stop the fuel tax hike

  57. Peter Williams hosts Taxpayer Talk: David Round on the Treaty of Waitangi and Co-Governance

    This week on Taxpayer Talk, host Peter Williams is joined by David Round, a former Canterbury University law lecturer, to discuss the Treaty of Waitangi and co-governance. As an expert in the fields of Legal History, Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence and Environmental Law, David is well equipped to comment...

    Read more about Peter Williams hosts Taxpayer Talk: David Round on the Treaty of Waitangi and Co-Governance

  58. Peter Williams hosts Taxpayer Talk: Dr Christoph Schumacher on modernising how we report on the economy

    In the middle of a cost of living crisis, key economic indicators are more important to track than ever. This week on Taxpayer Talk, host Peter Williams sits down with Dr Christoph Schumacher, Professor of Innovation & Economics and Director of the Knowledge Exchange Hub at Massey University....

    Read more about Peter Williams hosts Taxpayer Talk: Dr Christoph Schumacher on modernising how we report on the economy

  59. Get hit to get help

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union calls on Government to provide greater transparency over their crime prevention fund for local shop owners.In May earlier this year, the Government announced their “Crime Prevention Package”, a $6 million programme aimed at preventing ram-raids and other forms of retail crime. Since then,...

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  60. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk (excerpt): The state of local government with retiring councillor Chris Milne

    This is an excerpt from our long-form podcast released weekly by host Peter Williams. You can listen to the full podcast here. In this episode of Taxpayer Talk, host Peter Williams sits down with retiring Hutt City Councillor Chris Milne to discuss the state of local government in New Zealand....

    Read more about Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk (excerpt): The state of local government with retiring councillor Chris Milne

  61. Peter Williams hosts Taxpayer Talk: Economist Eric Crampton on Three Waters and the ETS + Retiring Councillor Chris Milne

    On this week's episode of Taxpayer Talk, host Peter Williams is joined by Eric Crampton, Chief Economist at the New Zealand Initiative, to discuss the Government's Three Waters reforms and his alternative proposal for how local councils can finance long-term infrastructure investment more effectively. Peter and Eric also discuss...

    Read more about Peter Williams hosts Taxpayer Talk: Economist Eric Crampton on Three Waters and the ETS + Retiring Councillor Chris Milne

  62. Peter Williams hosts Taxpayer Talk: Professor James Allan + Analysis of latest Taxpayers' Union Curia Poll

    In the wake of the Queen’s passing, the latest edition of Taxpayer Talk focuses on the British Monarchy. Host Peter Williams is joined by Canadian-born, Australian domiciled law Professor James Allan who reflects on why the British Monarchy is the most successful anywhere and why having a queen...

    Read more about Peter Williams hosts Taxpayer Talk: Professor James Allan + Analysis of latest Taxpayers' Union Curia Poll

  64. Taxpayer Update: Ratepayers' Report | Tax U-Turn | Farewell Trevor Mallard

    To view this newsletter online, click here. To share it on Facebook, click here.Dear Supporter,NEW: 2022 Ratepayer Report league tablesWe’ve just released the 2022 Ratepayers’ Report, our popular local government league tables – in time for local elections! Josh was on Radio NZ this morning to discuss the...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Ratepayers' Report | Tax U-Turn | Farewell Trevor Mallard

  67. Human Rights Commission fails Economics 101

    The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union is disturbed to see the Human Rights Commission suggesting economic policies for which they clearly have no knowledge or understanding of. The Commission recently called for urgent action on rent control, an idea normally spouted by economically-illiterate far-left organisations such as the Green Party. There is strong consensus among...

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  68. Taxpayer Update: New poll 📊 | Peter Williams podcast 🎙️ | MP whistleblowing on colleagues 💸

    Dear Supporter,New Poll: Māori Party recapture balance of powerExclusive to supporters like you, this month's Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll shows an overall gain for the Labour/Green centre-left parties at the expense of the National/ACT centre-right bloc. Applying the results to seats Parliament, neither has the 61 seats required to govern...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: New poll 📊 | Peter Williams podcast 🎙️ | MP whistleblowing on colleagues 💸

  69. Taxpayer Talk with Peter Williams: Ewen McQueen & panel on new poll

    Former TVNZ broadcaster (now Taxpayers' Union Board Member) Peter Williams has taken over as host of our new weekly Taxpayer Talk podcast. In this week's episode, he speaks to author and social commentator Ewen McQueen on his book One Sun in the Sky: the untold story of sovereignty and the Treaty of Waitangi....

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk with Peter Williams: Ewen McQueen & panel on new poll

  71. Tackling the culture of dishonesty in Wellington re three waters (update to Three Waters campaign supporers)

    The following is our update to supporters who have lodged their objection to the Government's Three Waters - either through the official Stop Three Waters petition, or submission tool:Subject: Tackling the culture of dishonesty in Wellington re three waters Dear Friend,Thank you again for supporting the fight against Nanaia Mahuta’s...

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  72. Taxpayer Update: More $$ for media | New Chair for the Taxpayers' Union | New poll shows a tie

    Dear Supporter,Our lastest Taxpayers' Union Curia poll has just been released. We summarise the results at the end of this update – and what would happen if this poll was reflected in an election and we ended up with a hung Parliament.More taxpayer funding for the media: Will...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: More $$ for media | New Chair for the Taxpayers' Union | New poll shows a tie

  73. Another $4.1m for the media: Will this affect election coverage?

    The fourth round of 'Public Interest' journalism funding was announced by NZ on Air this week, costing taxpayers $4,144,909.So far $43,968,004 of the $55 million fund has been paid out to media organisations to fund a variety of projects, journalism roles and industry development. The latest announcement includes $1.2...

    Read more about Another $4.1m for the media: Will this affect election coverage?

  78. Costs of Matariki advisory group

    The Government appointed a seven-member Matariki Advisory Group to provide advice on the ideal dates to mark Matariki and appropriate ways of celebrating the holiday.Members were paid $780-$1035 per day for advisory services.All up, $220,000 was paid to members in fees and reimbursements for travel expenses. Of that,...

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  79. Taxpayer Update: New poll | Stop 3 Waters roadshow heads north | $337k for a ribbon cutting

    Dear Supporter,We've just released the latest Taxpayers’ Union-Curia Poll.  In short, it continues to show a trend against the Ardern Government towards National/ACT. Headline results are at the bottom of this newsletter and over on our website.Stop Three Waters roadshow draws big crowds in the South, now hits...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: New poll | Stop 3 Waters roadshow heads north | $337k for a ribbon cutting

  83. New poll: 76% believe water entities should be accountable to voters

    Three quarters of New Zealanders believe that those responsible for water services should be directly accountable to voters, reveals a new scientific poll commissioned by the Taxpayers’ Union.The poll of 1,000 New Zealanders was undertaken by Curia Market Research, and asked, Do you think those who are responsible...

    Read more about New poll: 76% believe water entities should be accountable to voters

  87. Taxpayer Talk : Does Grant Robertson's big spend-up get a passing mark?

    Straight out of the Beehive's Budget Day "lock up", Jordan sits down with Cameron Bagrie of Bagrie Economics to break down the good, the bad, and the ugly of the biggest ever increase to operational Government spending.Subscribe to Taxpayer Talk podcast via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio and wherever good podcasts are sold.

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  88. Budget 2022: Despite red hot economy, big spending Budget delivers higher debt, delayed

    Dear Supporter,Louis and I are just back from the 2022 Budget lock-up inside the Beehive. We’ve spent the day trawling through what is the biggest spend up (in terms of locking in permanent operating spending) we’ve ever seen. As we worked through the 24 Ministerial media releases and...

    Read more about Budget 2022: Despite red hot economy, big spending Budget delivers higher debt, delayed

  89. Budget 2022: How are we still responding to COVID with arts grants?

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is almost – but not quite – lost for words over Budget 2022’s announcement of another $185 million in arts and heritage grants. Union spokesman Louis Houlbrooke says, “We were amazed when the Government decided it was appropriate to respond to a novel coronavirus with more than...

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  91. WTF? Stu Nash starts a bank?

    The Taxpayers’ Union representatives choked on Treasury’s budget lock up sausage rolls when they discovered Stuart Nash’s announcement that he’s launching an investment bank for business rejected by the banking sector and to appoint government workers as directors of SMEs.Jordan Williams, spokesman for the Taxpayers’ Union, said: “$100...

    Read more about WTF? Stu Nash starts a bank?

  94. Exclusive poll: Four to one, Kiwis don't want more spending in the Budget

    The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union can reveal that, by a margin of more than four to one, most New Zealanders oppose increasing Government spending in this week's Budget.A new scientific poll of 1,000 respondents was conducted by Curia Market Research and asked, Given the current levels of inflation, do you...

    Read more about Exclusive poll: Four to one, Kiwis don't want more spending in the Budget

  95. Taxpayer Talk: Greg Murphy on why the Government's Road to Zero stratergy is spin with no substance

    In February, the Government launched its road safety strategy called Road to Zero. The strategy hopes to reduce road deaths to zero by 2030. The Government has allocated $85 million on advertising this strategy alone. Join Louis and motorsport champion Greg Murphy, as they discuss why this unrealistic...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Greg Murphy on why the Government's Road to Zero stratergy is spin with no substance

  98. Taxpayer Talk: The Port of Auckland: a costly political football that hasn't scored success

     In 2005, the Port of Auckland was delisted from the NZX and was taken over by what is now Auckland Council. Since then, the port has underperformed, become inefficient, and lagged behind other ports such as the Port of Tauranga. Jordan sits down with Greg Smith from Devon...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: The Port of Auckland: a costly political football that hasn't scored success

  99. Taxpayer Update: Media funding backfires | IRD goes bonkers | Corporate bludgers

    Dear Supporter,If you're a business owner this update is more important than usual: we're blowing the whistle on backroom changes to IRD's rules that will result in enormous tax bills for small and medium-size business owners. We've also been busy on multiple campaign fronts, from Three Waters to wealth...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Media funding backfires | IRD goes bonkers | Corporate bludgers

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