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  1. Farmers need less red tape, not taxpayer handouts

    Farmers need less red tape, not taxpayer handoutsThe Taxpayers’ Union is calling on the Government to prioritise reducing unnecessary and costly regulations for those growers, farmers and businesses affected by North Island weather events rather than providing them with taxpayer-funded handouts.Commenting on today’s support package announced by the Government, Taxpayers’ Union...

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  2. Taxpayers' Union Exposes Outrageous Government Junket to Space Conference

    Taxpayers' Union Exposes Outrageous Government Junket to Space ConferenceThe Taxpayers' Union has uncovered that the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) indulged New Zealand's Space Agency in a recent trip to the USA, costing $36,760.07. An Official Information Request revealed that the NZ Space Agency flew business...

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  4. Taxpayers’ Union welcomes National Party Commitment to repeal RMA replacement bill

    The Taxpayers’ Union is today welcoming the news that National is joining the ACT Party in its commitment to repeal the Government’s replacement to the Resource Management Act if it is passed before the election.The announcement comes as a Taxpayers’ Union – Curia poll undertaken earlier this month showed strong opposition...

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  7. Taxpayer Update: Stop Central Planning 📰 ☭ | Future of Local Government 📜 | Tax Hikes 🛑

    Three Waters 2.0: Our ad in the Herald exposing David Parker's central planning "reforms"With the support of hundreds of supporters like you, we managed to secure a four-page lift-out in the NZ Herald this week to coincide with the final day on our 'Hands Off Our Homes: Stop Central Planning...

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  9. Future for Local Government Report focuses on the wrong issues

    Commenting on He piki tūranga, he piki kōtuku –The future for local government final report, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said:“New Zealand is one of the most highly centralized countries in the world. Just around a tenth of government expenditure is delivered through our councils. And those councils are extremely large...

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  11. ETS must be allowed to do its job of reducing net carbon emissions

     Responding to the publication of the Ministry for the Environment’s consultation document, New Zealand's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said:“The beauty of the Emissions Trading Scheme is that it ensures that we reduce net emissions and work towards our international climate commitments in the most...

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  13. Government’s high taxes and big spending are stunting economic growth

    Commenting on this morning’s GDP figures, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said:“While the impacts of the severe weather events earlier in this year will have damaged primary production, the Government needs to shoulder much of the blame for this economic contraction. Its spending addiction has driven inflation to record levels...

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  14. Te Pūkenga payout highlights why public sector golden goodbye culture must end

    Commenting on news that the former Te Pūkenga chief executive, Stephen Town, was paid out close to $200,000, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said: “The Government’s polytechnic merger was always a bad idea and one driven by their obsession with centralization. Far from delivering efficiencies, Te Pūkenga has simply created additional...

    Read more about Te Pūkenga payout highlights why public sector golden goodbye culture must end

  15. Tim Shadbolt's request for a ratepayer-funded statue of himself beggars belief

    Commenting on former Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt’s request for a ratepayer-funded statue of himself, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said:“It beggars belief that Tim Shadbolt thinks this is an appropriate use of Invercargill residents' money, especially considering that the public have already had to pay for his enormous ratepayer-funded mayoral...

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  16. Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL 📊🟢 | Parker's First RMA U-Turn ↩️⚖️ | ACT's plan to slash red tape ✂️🟡

    NEW POLL: Centre Right could form government while Greens see bump in support 📊🟢Exclusively for our supporters like you, here are the results of June's Taxpayers’ Union – Curia Poll:National is unchanged from last month on 36% while Labour drops 1 point to 33%. ACT is also unchanged on 13%...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL 📊🟢 | Parker's First RMA U-Turn ↩️⚖️ | ACT's plan to slash red tape ✂️🟡

  17. Taxpayers’ Union welcomes ACT policy announcement to reduce red tape

    Commenting on ACT’s ‘Policing Red Tape and Regulation’ policy announcement, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said:“Red tape and regulation are some of the biggest hand brakes on New Zealand’s prosperity. They make it more difficult for people to run businesses, hamper growth and investment, and ultimately drive up the...

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  18. Taxpayer Update: Stop Central Planning Committees 🛑🏘️ | Trustee tax rate hike 💰🔺 | It's time for tax cuts ✂️💵

    Taxpayers' Union on Tour: Stop Central Planning Committees 🛑🏘️On Monday, we kicked off our nationwide tour to Stop Central Planning Committees in Christchurch and the team are currently working their way down the South Island – tonight we are jointly hosting an event with Federated Farmers at 6pm at the Invercargill...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Stop Central Planning Committees 🛑🏘️ | Trustee tax rate hike 💰🔺 | It's time for tax cuts ✂️💵

  19. Taxpayers’ Union kicks off roadshow, first Government backdown on RMA reform

    On the same day the Taxpayers’ Union kicked off the Hands Off Our Homes: Stop Central Planning Committees roadshow, David Parker has shown his first backdown in relation to one of the most controversial aspects of his RMA reforms.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, says:“After contacting Minister Parker, informing him of our nationwide...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union kicks off roadshow, first Government backdown on RMA reform

  20. Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director to lead World Taxpayers Associations

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union extends its congratulations to its Co-founder and Executive Director, Jordan Williams, who was elected Chair and President of World Taxpayers Associations (WTA) at this week's WTA General Meeting in Prague, Czech Republic, by the attending 22 taxpayer-protection organisations from 20 countries. The WTA is an international coalition of 47 taxpayer...

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  21. OCR hike demonstrates need to rein in Government spending

    Commenting on the Reserve Bank’s decision to increase the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by a further 25 basis points, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said:“Continuing high levels of inflation have clearly forced the Reserve Bank to hike up interest rates even more. This means that families will not only have to bear...

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  22. Taxpayers' Union launches nationwide Hands Off Our Homes! roadshow

    After the success of the Stop Three Waters roadshow last year, the Taxpayers’ Union is hitting the road once again for a four-week, nationwide roadshow to hear and highlight the concerns of ratepayers and councils threatened by the Government’s proposed replacement to the Resource Management Act.The itinerary will see Taxpayers’ Union team members visiting...

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  23. Hands Off Our Homes: Stop Central Planning Committees Roadshow Itinerary

    North IslandWellington @ 7 June, 6PMAcademy Galleries1 Queens Wharf, Wellington CBD, Wellington, 6011Lower Hutt @ 8 June, 10AM26 Laings Rd, outside the Council officesMasterton @ 8 June, 6PMCo-hosted by our friends, Federated FarmersLansdowne House15 Keir Crescent, Lansdowne, Masterton, 5810Palmerston North @ 9 June, 6PMCo-hosted by our friends, Federated FarmersPalmerston North Community Leisure...

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  25. Grant’s gaming gamble is corporate welfare for well connected friends

    The Taxpayers’ Union has condemned the Government’s decision to allocate $160 million in rebates to the gaming sector over the next four years – calling it ‘corporate welfare’.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said:“It was quite incredible to watch the gaming sector lobbyists in the budget lock up celebrate the ‘win’...

    Read more about Grant’s gaming gamble is corporate welfare for well connected friends

  26. Government is greenwashing: $182.5 million more in climate subsidies that won’t reduce net emissions by a single gram

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling out Government Greenwashing in its justification of spending at least $182.5 million of taxpayer dollars over the next four years on environmental subsidies that will fail to reduce net emissions. Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, said:“The Government loves to crow about the action it is taking...

    Read more about Government is greenwashing: $182.5 million more in climate subsidies that won’t reduce net emissions by a single gram

  27. So much for no new taxes. Government hikes trustee tax rates

    The Taxpayers’ Union has condemned the Government’s announcement that it will increase the trustee tax rate to 39 cents in the dollar to align it with the highest personal income tax rate.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said:“Chris Hipkins’s ‘no new taxes’ pledge lasted about a week with today’s trustee tax...

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  28. Two tax hikes, and an LED light bulb. Nothing for middle New Zealand in this budget

    Commenting on today’s budget announcement, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said:“With the exception of rolling out free ECE to two years and dropping prescription co-payments, there is almost nothing that the average taxpayer receives from today, except higher fuel taxes and a promise to increase trustee taxes next year.“The...

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  29. Cost of living be damned! Fuel tax hike from July will hit lower income and rural New Zealanders hardest

    The Taxpayers’ Union has slammed the Government’s decision to hike fuel taxes from July. The 25 cent reduction in petrol excise (29 cents with GST) and the equivalent reduction in diesel road user charges will be scrapped at the end of June.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said:“Despite all the promises...

    Read more about Cost of living be damned! Fuel tax hike from July will hit lower income and rural New Zealanders hardest

  30. Labour should be stealing taxpayer-friendly policies from opposition parties

    Reacting to today’s policy announcements from National and the alternative budget from ACT, the Taxpayers’ Union is calling on the Labour Party to copy the best parts of these proposals and show some fiscal restraint.Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, says:“We congratulate the opposition parties for putting forward taxpayer-friendly policies and...

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  32. Taxpayers’ Union Launches Major New Campaign to Stop David Parker’s Central Planning Committees

    The Taxpayers’ Union is today launching a major new campaign to protect NewZealanders from higher building costs, more red tape, no local control and more co-governance that would result from the Government’s proposed replacement to the Resource Management Act.Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, said:“We never thought we’d be defending the Resource...

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  33. Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL: Centre-Right can form government 📊🟡 | $420k for a new website 💻💸 | Axe the Inflation Tax 📈💵

    NEW POLL: ACT boost means Centre Right can form Government in latest poll 📊🟡Exclusively for our supporters like you, here are the results of May's Taxpayers’ Union – Curia Poll:National drops one point this month to be on 36% but retakes the lead over Labour which falls back three points...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL: Centre-Right can form government 📊🟡 | $420k for a new website 💻💸 | Axe the Inflation Tax 📈💵

  34. Chucking millions of taxpayers’ money at 'green' banks will not reduce emissions

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union slams spurious claims by the Minister for Climate Change, James Shaw, that a $300 Million increase in New Zealand Green Investment Finance’s (NZGIF) funding will reduce emissions.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, says:“Once again, the Government doesn't seem to understand its own Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)....

    Read more about Chucking millions of taxpayers’ money at 'green' banks will not reduce emissions

  35. Taxpayers Liable for Second-Rate Development Risks

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union questions the Government’s decision to double down on exposing taxpayers to risky development schemes following the announcement that they plan to invest a further $159 million in projects at risk of failure.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, says:“We all recognize that the housing shortage is the...

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  36. Government ideology driving up house prices, increasing cost of living

     The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is slamming the Government’s plans to implement a cap on emissions from new buildings - a policy which will drive up house prices and put more pressure on Kiwi families during a cost of living crisis.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves says:“A cap on construction emissions...

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  37. Taxpayer Update: Nosey Parker's envy tax report 🤑💰 | Scrap the Ute Tax 🏹🛻 | Ruth Richardson on 'no solutions' budget 📰🎙️

    Nosey Parker's Pet Project: The envy tax report 🤑💰Last week, the IRD published its much anticipated report on high net wealth individuals. Their research project looked at the level of tax paid by just over 300 of the wealthiest New Zealanders. They carried out this project thanks to new...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Nosey Parker's envy tax report 🤑💰 | Scrap the Ute Tax 🏹🛻 | Ruth Richardson on 'no solutions' budget 📰🎙️

  38. Outrageous that ‘super rich’ getting winter energy payments to warm pools

    Outrageous that ‘super rich’ getting winter energy payments to warm poolsThe Taxpayers’ Union is accusing Government Ministers of crocodile tears about the so-called ‘super rich’ inequality given their defence of the winter energy payment going to those who clearly don’t need it.Taxpayers' Union spokesperson, Jordan Williams, says:“Taxing those struggling with the...

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  40. Taxpayers’ Union Annual Review Released

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has today released its annual review, covering the last 12 months of operations.The report is available online here. Hard copies are also available on request.Taxpayers’ Union Chairman, Laurence Kubiak, says:“Between the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union and our sister group, the Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance, our campaigns in the last 12 months have...

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  41. Are the National Party serious about good fiscal management or not?

    The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming the National Party’s commitment to continuing government contributions to the NZ Super Fund, despite growing public debt and economic headwinds.Taxpayers' Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says:“Let’s be very clear what this policy involves: the National Party are saying they will continue to borrow in...

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  42. Taxpayers’ Union welcomes ‘no new taxes’ budget pledge but devil will be in the detail

    Taxpayers’ Union welcomes ‘no new taxes’ budget pledge but devil will be in the detailCommenting on the Prime Minister’s pre-budget speech, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said:“While the cyclone recovery will be costly, hiking taxes on hardworking New Zealanders during a cost of living crisis would have been the...

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  44. Taxpayer Update: The $153,000 wallaby 🦘 | Co-governance, a Northern Ireland perspective 🇬🇧🇮🇪 | Welfare for airlines 🛫

    Hopping mad: COVID-19 funding to ‘destroy’ wallabies for $153,000 a pop 🦘🔫 After almost six months’ worth of excuses, transfers and extensions on an Official Information Act request sent back in November, your humble Taxpayers' Union has revealed that taxpayers and Otago ratepayers have forked out more than $2.76 million and employed...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: The $153,000 wallaby 🦘 | Co-governance, a Northern Ireland perspective 🇬🇧🇮🇪 | Welfare for airlines 🛫

  45. A lesson from Northern Ireland: Where co-government often means no government at all

    This month marks the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to Northern Ireland. It ended a decades-long conflict between Irish Republicans and British Unionists.As a relative newcomer to New Zealand and someone who spent time working in Northern Irish politics, I have noticed political parallels...

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  46. ACT MP Simon Court on Three Waters and the Proposed RMA Reforms

    This week on Taxpayer Talk, Taxpayers' Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, sits down with ACT Party MP, Simon Court, to discuss the recent Three Waters rebrand, the proposed resource management reforms and what ACT is proposing to solve New Zealand's significant infrastructure and planning problems.Simon Court is ACT's...

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  47. Affluent Airline Assistance – Councils funnel millions into failing regional flight services

    The Taxpayers’ Union has revealed that several councils have forked out millions of ratepayer dollars to subsidise a private airline and the wealthy individuals using it.Across Kāpiti Coast, Whakatāne, and Whanganui, ratepayers have footed the bill for over $2 million in corporate (and middle-class) welfare to maintain regular...

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  48. Misleading statements used to justify another $16 million in corporate welfare for big business

    Misleading statements used to justify another $16 million in corporate welfare for big businessThe Taxpayers’ Union is calling out Minister of Energy and Resources, Megan Woods, for her claim that the Government Investment in Industry Decarbonisation Fund (GIDI) will reduce New Zealand’s emissions.Announcing the Round Four recipients of the GIDI...

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  49. Waka Kotahi’s fee changes a blatant tax grab and additional barrier to upskilling

    Waka Kotahi’s fee changes a blatant tax grab and additional barrier to upskillingChanges to motor vehicle licensing and registration fees will whack productive New Zealanders with higher costs while Waka Kotahi (New Zealand Transport Agency) continues to grow its backroom bureaucracy warns the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union.When the proposed changes...

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  50. Give us a break: Inflation figures demonstrate need for tax relief and public spending restraint

    Commenting on today’s inflation figures announcement, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said:“The overall rate of inflation remains stubbornly high despite an aggressive tightening of monetary policy by the Reserve Bank. The fact that non-tradable inflation is at its highest level since the series began demonstrates that the problem...

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  51. Misleading comments by Biosecurity New Zealand on Otago wallaby cull called out

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling out Biosecurity NZ for what appear to be misleading statements suggesting that the Otago wallaby cull cost ($2.76 million for 18 animals or $153,000 per wallaby destroyed) is justified on the basis that the number “in no way represented the number killed”.John Walsh of Biosecurity...

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  52. Taxpayers should be hopping mad at $153,000 kill cost per wallaby in Otago

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that taxpayers and Otago Regional Council ratepayers have forked out $2.76 million and more than 26,000 hours of work for a wallaby control programme that killed just 18 wallabies.The Otago component of the National Wallaby Eradication Programme administered by Biosecurity New Zealand cost...

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  53. Local Government Minister yet to meet with Three Waters Critics

    The Taxpayer’s Union is still waiting for Local Government Minister, Kieran McAnulty, to respond to the invitation to meet and discuss improvements to the Government’s controversial Three Waters programme. The Minister agreed to meet with concerned mayors last month but has not responded to the Union’s request for ratepayers to...

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  54. Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL Māori Party holds balance of power 📊 | Henry VIII power grab ⚖️💥 | Time to end Beehive's lobbying revolving door 💼💰

    NEW POLL: Māori Party holds the balance of power 📊Available exclusively to supporters like you, we can reveal the results of our April Taxpayers' Union – Curia poll. Labour is up one point to 37% and National is up two points to 37%. ACT is up one point to 10% while the...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL Māori Party holds balance of power 📊 | Henry VIII power grab ⚖️💥 | Time to end Beehive's lobbying revolving door 💼💰

  55. Taxpayer Talk: Ray Chung on Wellington City Council's 12.3% Rate Hike

    This week on Taxpayer Talk, Taxpayers' Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, sits down with Wellington City Councillor, Ray Chung, to discuss Wellington’s shocking 12.3% rates rise and why this is being driven by inefficient, wasteful spending at the Council.Councillor Chung was elected just last year as the representative...

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  58. Access to information fundamental for accountability

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling on Te Whatu Ora to immediately prioritise republishing key health reporting data after it was revealed that it was taken down nearly three weeks ago.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves Says:“Easy access to key data and performance metrics are fundamental for ensuring accountability and...

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  59. Taxpayer Update: Manager numbers explode 👩🏻‍💼👨🏻‍💼🔺 | Virtue signalling over cutting net emissions 🌡️😔 | City Rail Link throws good money after bad 🚆🤑

    🔍 Taxpayer Investigation: Public sector managers growing at double rate of frontline workers 👩🏻‍💼👨🏻‍💼🔺While the Government has denied for years that Wellington's 'head offices' are getting bloated, your humble Taxpayers' Union has exposed that public sector managers have been growing at nearly twice the rate of frontline workers since the current Government came...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Manager numbers explode 👩🏻‍💼👨🏻‍💼🔺 | Virtue signalling over cutting net emissions 🌡️😔 | City Rail Link throws good money after bad 🚆🤑

  60. Access to information fundamental for accountability

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling on Te Whatu Ora to immediately prioritise republishing key health reporting data after it was revealed that it was taken down nearly three weeks ago.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves Says:“Easy access to key data and performance metrics are fundamental for ensuring accountability and...

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  61. Ministerial power grab must be stopped

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union condemns the Government’s decision to allow only one day for written submissions on the Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Legislation Bill.The proposed legislation would allow a minister to exempt, modify, or extend provisions of almost any piece of legislation without any form of democratic scrutiny.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves says:“This bill would...

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  62. ETS must be allowed to do its job of reducing net carbon emissions

    Responding to the Ministry for the Environment’s announcement of a review into New Zealand's Emissions Trading Scheme, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, says:“While a review of New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme is long overdue, the Government’s prioritisation of reducing gross carbon emissions over net emissions is illogical and ill-informed. Such an...

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  63. Public sector managers growing at twice the rate of frontline workers

    Public sector managers growing at twice the rate of frontline workersFigures unearthed by the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union reveal that the growth in public sector managers is almost twice that of frontline social, health and education workers.Since 2017, the frontline workforce for social services, health and education has increased by...

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  64. Government should not be spending taxpayer money to lobby itself

    The Taxpayers’ Union has slammed the revelation that government agencies and State Owned Enterprises are spending hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ dollars on lobbying firms as revealed by Radio NZ this morning.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said:“Taxpayers’ money should not be used to pay for sock puppets to lobby the...

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  65. Local Government Minister should meet Taxpayers’ Union on Three Waters

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is pleased to hear that the Minister of Local Government, Kieran McAnulty, has invited concerned mayors to the Beehive to discuss the Three Waters reforms but believe he should meet with the country’s largest taxpayer and ratepayer organization too.The Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, has written to the Minister requesting...

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  66. Taxpayer Update: Planning Power Grab 🏠🛑 | Wellington must stop hoarding taxes 💰⚠️ | Avatar producers should pay back subsidies 🎥💸

    Time to stop Parker's planning power grab 🏠🛑Last week, we blew the whistle on the Government's planning reforms, which seek to replace the awful Resource Management Act with something even worse. It takes all the worst elements of Three Waters – like seizing powers from councils and introducing unelected...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Planning Power Grab 🏠🛑 | Wellington must stop hoarding taxes 💰⚠️ | Avatar producers should pay back subsidies 🎥💸

  68. Bigger doesn’t mean better – Canterbury and Waikato Supercities are a bad idea

    Bigger doesn’t mean better – Canterbury and Waikato Supercities are a bad ideaThe New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union says that proposals from Hamilton and Christchurch City Councils to create new supercities are a bad idea that would increase costs for ratepayers, undermine local control and reduce democratic accountability.The Union is also calling on the Government to commission...

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  69. Avatar producers should pay back taxpayer subsidies

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union congratulates Wētā FX on their success at the Oscars with Avatar: The Way of Water but is disappointed that it is tainted by the millions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies that franchise has received.Taxpayers have forked out over $140 million in subsidies for the Avatar sequels, the first of which grossed...

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  70. Hard-working Kiwi taxpayers deserve indexation too

    Today’s announcement that the Government is adjusting superannuation and main benefits for inflation highlights the need for a principled approach to income taxes.“While those receiving taxpayer support get an adjustment, hard-working New Zealanders are going backwards each and every day,” says Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves.“Indexing tax brackets for...

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  71. $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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  72. 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...

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  74. 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 🐧🛩️

  76. 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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  77. 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...

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  78. 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...

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  80. 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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  81. 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

  82. 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...

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  83. 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...

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  84. 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...

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  85. 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 ⚖️🚰

  86. 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...

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  87. 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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  88. 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...

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  89. 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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  90. 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 💰🧊

  91. 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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  92. 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,...

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  93. 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...

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  94. 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...

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  95. 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 💰🪨

  96. 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...

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  97. 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...

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  98. 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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  99. 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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