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  1. Taxpayers' Update: 🎶 Singing on your dime | 🙃 $36k for "accountability" | 💸 Te Pāti Māori's broken promise

    Hi Supporter,This week, the team have uncovered millions being spent on public servants singing on the clock, found out Dunedin ratepayers have paid $36,000 to discover that “accountability” is a good thing (no ... Sherlock!), and Labour has misplaced yet another tax policy.Meanwhile, the Greens are flirting with price...

    Read more about Taxpayers' Update: 🎶 Singing on your dime | 🙃 $36k for "accountability" | 💸 Te Pāti Māori's broken promise

  2. Taxpayer Talk: Simon Court on the RMA shakedown holding NZ hostage

     In this episode of Taxpayer Talk, Peter Williams is joined by ACT’s infrastructure and resource management spokesman Simon Court to take aim at the planning rules he says are stopping New Zealand from building the homes, roads, ports, quarries, power lines, and infrastructure we desperately need.From eye-watering consent...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Simon Court on the RMA shakedown holding NZ hostage

  3. Government Must Ban Public Sector Golden Handshakes

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling on the Government to ban settlement payouts across councils and government agencies following the Chatham Islands Council’s $100,000 payment to disgraced former Chief Executive Paul Eagle.Taxpayers’ Union spokesman, Rhys Hurley, said:“How on Earth can someone whose conduct prompted their employer to...

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  4. Unwinding 9 months of bloat is not “generational harm”

    Public Service Association National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons’ claims that the Opportunity’s plans to remove 2,000 bureaucrats would ‘harm public services for generations’.Responding, Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman James Ross said:“Between June 2025 and March 2026, the public service grew by 1,881 bureaucrats. There are still 17,284 more bureaucrats today than before...

    Read more about Unwinding 9 months of bloat is not “generational harm”

  6. Will New Plymouth's $25m art collection finally deliver value to ratepayers?

    The Taxpayers’ Union is backing New Plymouth Mayor Max Brough’s push to unlock value from the council’s $25 million art collection, after he took aim at its mounting costs.Taxpayers’ Union spokeswoman, Ella Dickson, said:“While New Plymouth ratepayers are struggling, their council is sitting on $25 million worth of...

    Read more about Will New Plymouth's $25m art collection finally deliver value to ratepayers?

  7. REVEALED: ACT's Banning Of Public Service Waiata To Save An Estimated $3.5 Million Per Year

    The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that at least 9 public service agencies are running hours of waiata and karakia practice each week.Using a conservative estimate that just ten percent of staff at each agency participate, and applying the average public service hourly salary of $49.66 over 8,680 hours per...

    Read more about REVEALED: ACT's Banning Of Public Service Waiata To Save An Estimated $3.5 Million Per Year

  10. Breadlines are back on the menu

    Responding to the Green Party's proposed open-ended supermarket price controls, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:“There are two ways to ration scarce goods like food: prices or queues. The Greens seem determined to give Kiwis a refresher course in what a breadline looks like.”“New Zealand’s grocery rort is...

    Read more about Breadlines are back on the menu

  11. Taxpayer Update: $303k climate junket ✈️ | Labour’s ChatGPT subsidy 🤖 | Ferry gravy train ⛴️

    Dear Supporter,The week that was: National Party psychodrama, while Opportunity stalking horse continues 👀What a week.While Wellington has been consumed by the National Party's attempt to blow the arms off its own leader – only for the whole thing to blow up in Chris Penk's face – we've...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: $303k climate junket ✈️ | Labour’s ChatGPT subsidy 🤖 | Ferry gravy train ⛴️

  13. REVEALED: Climate bureaucrats burn $303,000 jet-setting to Brazil’s COP30 junket

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through Official Information Act requeststhat the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry for Primary Industries and the Ministry for the Environment spent $303,026.78 sending 17 staff to the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil.Key facts:-The Ministry...

    Read more about REVEALED: Climate bureaucrats burn $303,000 jet-setting to Brazil’s COP30 junket

  14. Labour kneecaps investment, then subsidises ChatGPT

    Responding to Labour’s announcement of millions more in taxpayer funding for AI adoption and start-ups, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Austin Ellingham-Banks said:“Labour has slapped ‘AI’ on an old-fashioned corporate welfare scheme for American Big Tech and called it innovation."“Businesses already have every incentive to invest in AI if it...

    Read more about Labour kneecaps investment, then subsidises ChatGPT

  17. ACT’s ‘no new taxes’ pledge puts pressure on National to make the same promise

    The Taxpayers’ Union welcomes ACT’s unequivocal commitment to no new taxes and is calling on National to do the same.Taxpayers’ Union spokeswoman, Ella Dickson, said:“National’s ‘no new taxes on working people’ fudge is already falling flat, with the Prime Minister unable to tell Kiwis what their tax bill...

    Read more about ACT’s ‘no new taxes’ pledge puts pressure on National to make the same promise

  19. Nothing new in National’s fiscal rules – but ‘no new taxes’ promise conspicuously absent

    The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming the direction of National’s newly announced “Budget Responsibility Rules”, but says there is nothing new in the fiscal targets and is calling on National to come clean about what taxes it plans to hike.Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams said:“There is nothing new...

    Read more about Nothing new in National’s fiscal rules – but ‘no new taxes’ promise conspicuously absent

  20. Taxpayer Update: New poll 📊 | Winston's baby bonus 💸 | Bureaucrat sickies 🤒 | $300k for kapa haka "research" 🤦

    Hi,Today marks three months until the election, and the silly season has well begun. It even snowed in Wellington!This week, we look at whether NZ First’s $400 million proposed 'baby bonus' is likely to work, expose who in the government is pulling sickies, and why the Nats need...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: New poll 📊 | Winston's baby bonus 💸 | Bureaucrat sickies 🤒 | $300k for kapa haka "research" 🤦

  22. Labour fudges fiscal drag fix

    Labour has today announced plans to raise the GST registration threshold from $60,000 to $80,000. Commenting, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:“The GST registration threshold was last adjusted in 2009. If it kept pace with inflation, it would now sit at $92,477. Partial relief is better than none.”“It...

    Read more about Labour fudges fiscal drag fix

  23. Labour doubles down on New Zealand’s productivity crisis

    Taxpayers’ Union is slamming Labour’s plan to axe Investment Boost, warning it would discourage business investment and make New Zealand’s productivity crisis even worse.Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:“New Zealand’s stagnant productivity is the rot behind our squeezed wages, weak growth, and increasingly unaffordable superannuation, healthcare, and other...

    Read more about Labour doubles down on New Zealand’s productivity crisis

  27. REVEALED: Health NZ spent nearly half a million dollars on single ad campaign

    Health New Zealand spent $490,043.75 on a single advert featuring former Lotto presenter Russell Harrison, documents obtained by the Taxpayers’ Union reveal for the first time.Harrison, who remained suspended from the Ministry of Justice on full pay for years, was paid $3,000 to appear in the 30-second advertisement.Taxpayers’...

    Read more about REVEALED: Health NZ spent nearly half a million dollars on single ad campaign

  29. Public service diversity bureaucracy is a taxpayer-funded vanity project

    The Taxpayers’ Union says the public service should immediately freeze its expanded diversity plan until it can prove existing initiatives have delivered a single measurable benefit to taxpayers.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“MBIE has recently presided over catastrophic project failures, blown budgets and appalling financial controls. Its priority...

    Read more about Public service diversity bureaucracy is a taxpayer-funded vanity project

  30. Mike Hosking is right: Human Rights Commission has lost its way

    The Taxpayers’ Union is backing Mike Hosking’s criticism of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) after it opposed the Government’s proposed changes to Treaty clauses across 19 pieces of legislation.Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, said:“Mike Hosking is right. The Human Rights Commission has lost its way. Instead of defending...

    Read more about Mike Hosking is right: Human Rights Commission has lost its way

  31. PSA must release legal advice behind political campaign

    The Taxpayers’ Union is demanding the Public Service Association immediately publish the legal advice it claims gave the green light for its “Change the Government” campaignto be distributed through ministry offices and public service workplaces.Taxpayers' Union spokeswoman, Ella Dickson, said:“The PSA told public servants to ‘change the government’...

    Read more about PSA must release legal advice behind political campaign

  32. PSA crosses the line with anti-government workplace campaign

    Responding to Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche directing the Public Service Association to remove its “Change the Government” campaign material from public service workplaces, Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“The PSA’s politics are no secret, but using supposedly neutral public service workplaces to campaign for the Government’s...

    Read more about PSA crosses the line with anti-government workplace campaign

  36. MBIE boss’s slimy excuse for misleading Parliament fails the sniff test

    Responding to MBIE chief executive Nic Blakeley denying any attempt to mislead Parliament over the failed $35 million Biometric Capability Update project, Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams said:“Claiming the project was 'commercially sensitive' is a slimy bureaucratic excuse for misleading MPs. If Mr Blakeley thought could not give...

    Read more about MBIE boss’s slimy excuse for misleading Parliament fails the sniff test

  37. Taxpayer Update: Luxon embraces higher taxes 💔 | MBIE's $35m cover-up 😳 | Councils' $1.1b art stash 🎨

     Hi,The big political story in the last 24 hours has been Christopher Luxon ruling out TOP.But there's a more important story this morning that's been largely missed – Luxon appears to be no longer ruling out increasing your taxes!Our new report out today also exposes local councils for...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Luxon embraces higher taxes 💔 | MBIE's $35m cover-up 😳 | Councils' $1.1b art stash 🎨

  38. Luxon embraces the inflation tax

    The Taxpayers' Union is slamming Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s dismissal of inflation-indexing income tax thresholds as “not on our radar”, saying it shows the Government is happy to keep profiting from bracket creep.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tyler Groenewald said:“Luxon is choosing an inflation tax over simple cost-of-living relief. Bracket...

    Read more about Luxon embraces the inflation tax

  40. Taxpayer Update: RMA victory 🗳️ | Billion-dollar energy promises 💸 | DIA’s pokie maths 🎰

    Hi Friend,Another big policy victory, another boondoggle out of Shane Jones' slush fund "Regional Infrastructure Fund", and a new myth-busting paper targeting Chlöe Swarbrick's fake news oft-repeated claims that the wealthy in New Zealand do not pay their “fair share” of tax.Let's dive in, .A win for democratic...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: RMA victory 🗳️ | Billion-dollar energy promises 💸 | DIA’s pokie maths 🎰

  41. Treasury’s advice proves the Greens' Wealth Tax a fantasy

    Responding to Treasury advice casting doubt on the Green Party's wealth tax modelling, the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union is calling on the Greens to withdraw the policy until credible costings are produced.Taxpayers’ Union spokeswoman, Ella Dickson, said:"The Greens’ revenue claims depend on unrealistic assumptions that wilfully ignore capital...

    Read more about Treasury’s advice proves the Greens' Wealth Tax a fantasy

  46. Smoking a billion dollars of Green on a fourth energy company is madness

    The Taxpayers' Union is slamming the Green Party's idea to blow what it estimates to be $980 million on a fourth energy company when the Government already owns majority shares of three. Taxpayers' Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:"Taxpayers already own majority shares of Meridian, Mercury, and Genesis. Nationalisation...

    Read more about Smoking a billion dollars of Green on a fourth energy company is madness

  49. Heads should roll over Civil Defence website fiasco

    The Taxpayers' Union says there must be accountability after New Zealand's Civil Defence website crashed during last night's Fiordland earthquake and tsunami warning, leaving New Zealanders unable to access critical emergency information when they potentially needed it most.Taxpayers' Union spokesman, Jordan Williams, said:"Heads should roll. If Civil Defence...

    Read more about Heads should roll over Civil Defence website fiasco

  50. $1.7 billion ferry bill leaves every household $820 out of pocket

    The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union says the Government's announcement taxpayers will be charged up to $1.7 billion on the ferry fleet raises a fundamental question: why are taxpayers borrowing billions to own and operate a commercial ferry service in the first place?Taxpayers' Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, said:"Every...

    Read more about $1.7 billion ferry bill leaves every household $820 out of pocket

  51. Callaghan losses show Government must stop picking winners

    In response to reports of mounting losses from Callaghan Innovation’s business loan book, Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“The Government must simply stop trying to pick winners. These are either loans too risky for private investors or opportunities good enough to attract private money without taxpayer backing.”“Callaghan should...

    Read more about Callaghan losses show Government must stop picking winners

  52. If ‘local voice’ matters on amalgamation, let ratepayers vote

    Responding to emerging proposals for a Wellington “Super City”, the Taxpayers’ Union is calling for any council amalgamation to be put to ratepayers through a binding referendum.Taxpayers’ Union spokeswoman, Ella Dickson, said:“These plans are being designed by the very officials who stand to gain bigger bureaucracies and build...

    Read more about If ‘local voice’ matters on amalgamation, let ratepayers vote

  53. Road delays show political parties cannot keep marking their own homework

    Responding to reports that the Government’s Roads of National Significance programme has been put in the “slow lane” after costing taxpayers $323 million, the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union says voters need independent scrutiny of election promises.Taxpayers’ Union spokeswoman, Ella Dickson, said:“Spending $323 million before shovels have touched the...

    Read more about Road delays show political parties cannot keep marking their own homework

  54. Ratepayers missing an invite to the amalgamation party

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling on Local Government Minister Simon Watts to ensure ratepayers have a seat at the table as the Government considers council mergers.Taxpayers’ Union spokeswoman, Ella Dickson, said:“Telling councils to redesign themselves without ratepayer representation is like asking foxes to redesign the henhouse...

    Read more about Ratepayers missing an invite to the amalgamation party

  55. Hipkins’ anti-corruption excuse for gold-plated perks doesn’t stack up

    Responding to Chris Hipkins defending MPs’ retirement perks as anti-corruption measures, Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“Chris Hipkins seems to think taxpayers need to pay $2.50 for every dollar an MP puts into their retirement fund just to stop politicians becoming corrupt. That is an extraordinary admission."“If Hipkins...

    Read more about Hipkins’ anti-corruption excuse for gold-plated perks doesn’t stack up

  56. Taxpayer Talk: Ruth Richardson and Eric Crampton on the KiwiSaver Trap

     In this episode of Taxpayer Talk, Peter Williams is joined by Eric Crampton from the New Zealand Initiative and former Finance Minister (and Taxpayers’ Union Chair) Ruth Richardson to tackle the renewed debate over compulsory KiwiSaver and New Zealand’s looming superannuation crunch.Is forcing New Zealanders to save more...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Ruth Richardson and Eric Crampton on the KiwiSaver Trap

  57. Auditor-General must investigate $29m satellite lost in space

    The organisation behind the failed $29 million MethaneSAT mission should not be allowed to review its own performance, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson, Ella Dickson, says:“When $29 million of taxpayer funding is literally lost in space, taxpayers deserve a genuinely independent investigation. The Environmental Defense...

    Read more about Auditor-General must investigate $29m satellite lost in space

  58. MPs super scheme reform fix the perks

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on every political party leader to commit to ending Parliament’s gold-plated superannuation scheme and cleaning up MPs’ taxpayer-funded entitlements, following revelations in the New Zealand Herald that MPs’ generous superannuation arrangements escaped earlier efforts to rein them in.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“MPs have managed...

    Read more about MPs super scheme reform fix the perks

  59. The lights are on, but nobody's home: $200,000 Christchurch light project shows why we need to Cap Rates Now

    The Taxpayers' Union says Christchurch Council's $200,000 spend on decorative lighting and a mural is a textbook example of why the Government must implement a rates cap now.Taxpayers' Union spokesperson Tyler Groenewald said:"Even when the Council had the option of a cheaper project or making savings, it still chose to dip...

    Read more about The lights are on, but nobody's home: $200,000 Christchurch light project shows why we need to Cap Rates Now

  60. REVEALED: Health NZ paid Russell Harrison for taxpayer-funded ad while he was on taxpayer-funded gardening leave

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that Health New Zealand paid Russell Harrison to appear in a taxpayer-funded childhood immunisation campaign in 2023 while he remained on taxpayer-funded gardening leave from the Ministry of Justice.The advertisement has now been removed by Health NZ following questions from the...

    Read more about REVEALED: Health NZ paid Russell Harrison for taxpayer-funded ad while he was on taxpayer-funded gardening leave

  61. Taxpayer Update: Russ wins Lotto 💸 | Hipkins opens the door 🚪 | Ruth takes on KiwiSaver 💥

     Hi,We have bad news if you fell for claims the Government is shrinking Wellington's bureaucracy; good news on our Cap Rates Now campaign, plus this month's Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll and Peter Williams sits down with the Deputy PM David Seymour for Taxpayer Talk.But first – hitting the Jackpot...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Russ wins Lotto 💸 | Hipkins opens the door 🚪 | Ruth takes on KiwiSaver 💥

  62. Taxpayer Talk: Deputy PM David Seymour on woke regulators, KiwiSaver, and ACT’s election fight

      In this episode of Taxpayer Talk, Peter Williams is joined by ACT Leader and Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour for a wide-ranging pre-election interview on coalition tensions, regulatory overreach, free speech, KiwiSaver, Treaty politics, and ACT’s record in Government.From “political neutrality” rules for regulators and the Ministry of...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Deputy PM David Seymour on woke regulators, KiwiSaver, and ACT’s election fight

  66. Costello right to review Tobacco Tax failure after years of failed hikes

    The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming Associate Health Minister Casey Costello’s comments that the Government is considering a review of tobacco excise.Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams said:“Tobacco tax has become a textbook Laffer Curve problem. The Government has pushed excise so high that it is now losing revenue, while...

    Read more about Costello right to review Tobacco Tax failure after years of failed hikes

  68. Calls for ‘relief’ are an insult to Waitaki ratepayers

    Responding to reports that Waitaki District Council is investigating options such as reduced penalties and charity for ratepayers struggling with the council’s 16.9 percent rates rise, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Josh Van Veen, said:“Waitaki ratepayers will be feeling insulted by this token gesture.”“Despite overwhelming opposition from the community, the Council pushed...

    Read more about Calls for ‘relief’ are an insult to Waitaki ratepayers

  69. Justice Ministry boss must front over five-year taxpayer-funded “garden leave”

    Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says the latest revelations about the Ministry of Justice are a damning indictment of public sector accountability.“The question isn’t where Russell Harrison is. The question is: where is Secretary for Justice Andrew Kibblewhite?”“This happened on his watch. Yet instead of fronting, Kibblewhite...

    Read more about Justice Ministry boss must front over five-year taxpayer-funded “garden leave”

  70. REVEALED: School Lunch Bureaucracy Racks Up $129k In Travel And Little In Outcomes

    The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that the Ministry of Education run Healthy School Lunches programme has 37 full-time Ministry staff, despite lunch delivery being largely outsourced to external providers.Documents released under the Official Information Act show an assortment of bureaucrats spent more than $129,754.90 on staff travel in one year,...

    Read more about REVEALED: School Lunch Bureaucracy Racks Up $129k In Travel And Little In Outcomes

  71. Taxpayer Update: Rates Dashboard out now 📊 | Water bill stitch-up 💧 | Hands off our holidays🏕️

    Dear Supporter,If you're a ratepayer, brace yourself: the 2026 edition of our popular 'rates dashboard' is out now, and it makes for sorry reading.TL:DR: colour me surprised, but for those now facing new water bills from today, the councils haven't cut their rates to reflect the new water...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Rates Dashboard out now 📊 | Water bill stitch-up 💧 | Hands off our holidays🏕️

  73. If the King can commit to transparency, so can Government House

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling for the Governor-General and Government House to be brought under the Official Information Act, following King Charles’ decision to disclose his personal tax bill.Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Austin Ellingham-Banks said:“Buckingham Palace says the King’s unprecedented tax disclosure reflects its ‘commitment to transparency’...

    Read more about If the King can commit to transparency, so can Government House

  74. EXPOSED: 2026 Rates Dashboard reveals water reform 9.0% rates sting

    EXPOSED: 2026 Rates Dashboard reveals water reform 9.0% rates stingThe Taxpayers’ Union has launched the 2026 edition of its national Rates Dashboard at RatesDashboard.nzThe Dashboard shows the while average proposed rates increase for 2026/27 is 6.9 percent — more than twice the current inflation rate of 3.1 percent...

    Read more about EXPOSED: 2026 Rates Dashboard reveals water reform 9.0% rates sting

  75. Taxpayers’ Union welcome proposal to cut number of government ministers

    The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposal announced today by ACT’s David Seymour to cull the number of Ministers along with the number of government departments, would almost certainly increase political accountability to taxpayers.Responding to David Seymour’s speech in Auckland, Taxpayers' Union spokesman, Jordan Williams, said:“Fewer Ministers mean more...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union welcome proposal to cut number of government ministers

  76. Solar announcement beats dumb solar subsides - gets government out of the way

    The Taxpayers' Union is welcoming today's announcement - in particular - getting regulatory taxes out of the way of both solar and micro hydro.Taxpayers' Union Spokesman, Jordan Williams, said:"We've long argued against green energy subsidies and in favour of clearing the path of regulatory impediments to solar.""On a...

    Read more about Solar announcement beats dumb solar subsides - gets government out of the way

  78. Greens’ $800 million ‘typo’ another reason for independent policy costings

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union says the Green Party’s admission that its tax package contained an $800 million “typo” raises serious questions about the credibility of a plan that would cost taxpayers $10,000 per household.Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:“The Greens expect New Zealanders to trust them with billions...

    Read more about Greens’ $800 million ‘typo’ another reason for independent policy costings

  80. Labour Rules Out Green Taxes, But Still Has No Plan to Pay for Promises

    The Taxpayers’ Union is challenging Chris Hipkins to explain how Labour would pay for its spending promises after ruling out the Green Party’s wealth and inheritance taxes.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“Chris Hipkins is right to supposedly rule out the Green Party’s wealth and death taxes, but taxpayers...

    Read more about Labour Rules Out Green Taxes, But Still Has No Plan to Pay for Promises

  81. Taxpayer Update: Nats go compulsory 💰 | Greens go full tax grab 💸 | Matua Jones' limo bill 🥂 | Bureaucrats caught in cover up 🤫

    Dear Supporer,It might be a Sunday, but your humble Taxpayers' Union has been in the office today and hard at work... 💁‍♂️A lot to pack in this week: some promising signs on the local government information front, yet more interesting maths from Labour (just how many times can...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Nats go compulsory 💰 | Greens go full tax grab 💸 | Matua Jones' limo bill 🥂 | Bureaucrats caught in cover up 🤫

  82. Forget the ‘cost of greed budget’, this is the $10,000-per-household cost of Green

    Forget the ‘cost of greed budget’, this is the $10,000-per-household cost of GreenThe Green Party accidentally leaked its $22.6 billion tax grab plan. This is a prescription for a poorer New Zealand, with the proposed new taxes amounting to $10,141 per household in the first four years alone.Taxpayers’...

    Read more about Forget the ‘cost of greed budget’, this is the $10,000-per-household cost of Green

  86. Simon Watts promised to ‘fix’ local government – but he's is about to make it even worse

    Dear Supporter, We've uncovered major fishhooks buried deep inside Simon Watts' "Local Government (Systems Improvement) Bill" currently before Parliament and in the last stages.It's not a politically sexy issue, and it's technical. But if we are to fix local government, it's essential.The Bill was sold as a reform...

    Read more about Simon Watts promised to ‘fix’ local government – but he's is about to make it even worse

  87. Maternity scans with what money? Labour’s CGT revenue is already spent

    Labour has today promised to fund maternity scans through its capital gains tax, but the Taxpayers’ Union says the money has already been swallowed by other spending promises. Once again, Labour’s numbers do not add up.Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:“Using recent housing market data, Labour’s CGT would...

    Read more about Maternity scans with what money? Labour’s CGT revenue is already spent

  88. Heads must roll after officials caught plotting to bypass Ministerial oversight

    The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union says revelations that public servants knowingly misled a Minister, deliberately avoided Cabinet scrutiny, and wasted millions of taxpayer dollars on a failed immigration project expose a culture of arrogance and impunity within the public service.Reports indicate officials withheld information from the Minister, deliberately...

    Read more about Heads must roll after officials caught plotting to bypass Ministerial oversight

  91. Labour’s $8k per household budget hole shows why Independent Office of Budget Responsibility overdue

    Labour’s $8k per household budget hole shows why Independent Budget Responsibility Office overdueThe Taxpayers’ Union says National’s claimed $18.2 billion gap between the Labour Party's promised spending and revenue measures highlights exactly why New Zealand needs an Independent Office of Budget Responsibility to independently verify the costings of election promises.Taxpayers’...

    Read more about Labour’s $8k per household budget hole shows why Independent Office of Budget Responsibility overdue

  92. Taxpayer Update: Labour’s $180m bus bill 🚌 | Save the Family Farm 🚜 | New poll 📊

    Hi,Hello from Fieldays, where we've launched our Save the Family Farm campaign (more on this below).We've also got this month's Taxpayers’ Union-Curia Poll, a defence of the cost of the Official Information Act, and our Ratepayer Guide to Amalgamation, which breaks down the do’s-and-don’ts of local government reform.But...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Labour’s $180m bus bill 🚌 | Save the Family Farm 🚜 | New poll 📊

  94. 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...

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

  98. Chris Hipkins Wants to Tax Your Holiday Home So You Can Pay for His

    Responding to comments made today by Labour leader Chris Hipkins, the Taxpayers’ Union claims it is hypocritical of him to create new taxes on property ownership while using a taxpayer-funded superannuation scheme to finance his own holiday home.Taxpayers’ Union spokeswoman, Ella Dickson, says:“Chris Hipkins – like all MP’s...

    Read more about Chris Hipkins Wants to Tax Your Holiday Home So You Can Pay for His

  99. Hastings Mayor’s extraordinary admission undermines entire Annual Plan consultation

    The Taxpayers’ Union says Hastings Mayor Wendy Schollum’s admission in front of a packed ratepayer meeting that she was given a “heads up” about the impact of QV changes on rates — while the Council kept the information from the public until just two days before submissions closed...

    Read more about Hastings Mayor’s extraordinary admission undermines entire Annual Plan consultation

  100. $180 Million OIA Bill Is the Cost of Government Secrecy

    A new report showing government agencies spend more than $180 million a year responding to Official Information Act (OIA) requests highlights the cost of failing to proactively release information.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson, Tyler Groenewald, said:"The cheapest OIA request is the one that never needs to be made because the information is...

    Read more about $180 Million OIA Bill Is the Cost of Government Secrecy

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