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  3. Is bigger better for local councils?

    That's the question facing the Wellington region with the Local Government Commission releasing it's proposal for a "Super City" stretching from the Wairarapa to the Cook Strait.A TDB Advisory report, commissioned last year by the Hutt City Council, reviewed the international literature on the relationship between size and cost-effectiveness...

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  4. First birthday

    A year ago today the Taxpayers’ Union launched with the aim to become a loud voice fighting for lower taxes, less government waste, and to put pressure on politicians to cut corporate and union welfare. Today's anniversary is a good chance to look back on some of the campaign highlights...

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  7. NBR on 'Monopoly Money'

    Crony capitalism undermines sustainable growth National Business Review - 14/10/2014 On Friday we launched our hardest hitting report to date,Monopoly Money. The report includes forewords by Labour's Napier MP, Stuart Nash, and the Chief Executive of the Auckland Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Michael Barnett, ONZM.This morning the NBR published Mr Nash's foreword as...

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  9. Taxpayers' Union lends voice to international coalition

    Today the Taxpayers’ Union has joined a large international coalition of taxpayer groups with the intention of opposing supranational taxation schemes, including ‘harmonising’ tax rates across borders and levying taxes on behalf of international bodies. The 22 signatories represent groups from 15 different counties.International efforts to subject New...

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  10. New report on corporate welfare

    The Taxpayers’ Union has today launched new a report, Monopoly Money, which examines the cost and case for New Zealand’s extensive corporate welfare programmes. The report, which examines the cost of corporate welfare since the 2007/2008 budget, shows:Since National took office, corporate welfare has cost taxpayers $1-1.4 billion ($600 - $800 per household) per yearIf corporate welfare...

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  11. Serious questions for Wananga

    This morning's lead story in the NZ Herald will no doubt leave a bad taste in taxpayers' mouths, with reports that the Whakatane-based Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi has received $6 million in payments it wasn't entitled to.The Warriors are caught up in an investigation into a Maori tourism...

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  12. Time for Fed Farmers to be weaned

    In yesterday’s NBR it was revealed that the Federated Farmers lobby group had received $228,000 of taxpayers’ money in the past five years.“It shows Federated Farmers received many payments via three Sustainable Farming Fund projects – a contestable fund investing up to $8 million a year in applied...

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  13. Pie in the sky

    This morning we released advice on the cost to taxpayers of three of Internet-Mana’s education policies. At a total cost of $17.6 billion they are higher than the entire policy package of the three main political parties combined.Labour leader David Cunliffe is right when he reportedly said that...

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  15. Free Tertiary Education on the Taxpayer

    Internet-Mana promises free tertiary study Stuff.co.nz - 12/09/2014Free tertiary education and a universal student allowance could be delivered immediately if they were prioritised over tax cuts, the Internet-Mana Party says.…Taxpayers' Union spokesman Ben Craven said writing off student debt would benefit professionals such as lawyers and doctors who had...

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  16. Cost of forgiving student debt

    Yesterday the Internet-Mana Party announced that it wants to forgive existing student loan debt.NBR: Internet Mana says it will forgive student debt, currently totaling $14.2bInternet Mana has today today confirmed it would make tertiary education free — but added a new wrinkle: a pledge to "Develop a comprehensive loan...

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  17. NZ First still won't front up

    With just over a week to go until the general election, and with much chatter of Winston Peters riding high in the polls. New Zealand First still won't front up with details of the cost of its election policies for inclusion in the 'Bribe-O-Meter'. This morning we issued a media...

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  20. Expert costing of Green Party wage policy

    The Taxpayers’ Union is today releasing independent research from former NZIER Principal Economist, Dr Michael Dunn, which raises significant questions about the Green Party’s election costings.Dr Dunn’s analysis of the Green Party’s “Fairer Reward for Fair Effort” policy document shows that the Party’s taxation forecasts are incorrect and instead of...

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  27. Porky presents troughing award to CEO of Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs

    Introducing Porky, our new mascot and aspiring list MP!Porky loves identifying troughing MPs and bureaucrats. The crème de la crème, he surprises with an awards ceremony. After all, when you’ve turned troughing on the taxpayer into an art, it would be rude to get no recognition!This morning Porky...

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  28. Fair Tax for Savers

    This afternoon in partnership with Age Concern, Consumer NZ and the Financial Services Council, we launched the 'Fair Tax for Savers' campaign in Wellington. What is the Fair Tax for Savers Campaign asking for?We're calling on politicians to remove the over-taxation of long term savings, specifically:the effective tax rate paid...

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  30. NZ Herald on patronizing brochures

    Backlash over costly brochure Herald on Sunday - 27/07/2014The Herald on Sunday included comments from Taxpayers' Union Executive Director Jordan Williams in coverage of the recent "No car? No problem!" brochure from the Office for Senior Citizens which cost approximately $37,000 excluding staff time. "A brochure telling senior citizens they can...

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  32. Getting around without a car

    The Taxpayers’ Union is questioning the merits and costs of the “No car? No problem! Getting around your community without a car” brochure, released by the Office for Senior Citizens. The brochure’s purpose is to explain to senior citizens transport options when they can no longer drive.The primary purpose...

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  34. Letter to the Speaker

    News broke on Wednesday that Mana Party leader Hone Harawira had erected hoardings for the election which displayed the crest of the House of Representatives. This led to questions about how the hoardings had ben funded – had taxpayers’ money been used?When we questioned if taxpayers’ money had ben...

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  39. Like Russian nesting dolls Auckland Council secretaries need secretaries

    That’s right – the Auckland Council’s CEO has a secretary that is advertising for a secretary.We have all heard about stories of politicians looking to empire build courtesy of the taxpayers’ pocket, but this really takes the cake.No wonder Auckland Council now has more bureaucrats on living off...

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  42. Taxpayers' Union Response to MP Claudette Hauiti charging Australian holiday to the taxpayers.

    National MP charged Australia holiday to taxpayers The New Zealand Herald - 16/07/2014National Party MP Claudette Hauiti has given up her parliamentary charge card after she used it to pay for a personal trip to Australia.Ms Hauiti entered Parliament in May 2013, replacing disgraced list MP Aaron Gilmore.Taxpayers' Union...

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  44. Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce publicly responds to Taxpayers' Union criticism

    Joyce slams Taxpayers’ Union attack The National Business Review - 11/07/2014Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has slammed the Taxpayers’ Union’s attack on the minister as a “fundamental misunderstanding” by its executive director Jordan Williams.Mr Williams described the $31 million worth of grants to eight new company incubators –...

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  45. Guest Post: Larry Mitchell on Auckland Council's finances

    Auckland Ratepayers “Wake Up” at lastBernard Orsman's analysis last week of Auckland Council's financial trouble got right to the heart of the matter. The section headed "Hey Big Spender you’re in a deep financial hole" accurately nails the central issue facing Auckland’s overtaxed ratepayers. With a new 2015-2025...

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  47. Good intentions not enough for good policy

    Science and Innovation Minister, Steven Joyce hit back at us regarding our recent criticism of the Government's corporate welfare efforts, such as the millions of taxpayer dollars going into ‘company incubators’. The NBR reported on Thursday:Eight new company incubators are to receive funding under Callaghan Innovation’s incubator support programme.Callaghan, the...

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  56. When phones go down, Dyson knows who to call

    A fault caused telephones in Parliament to be temporarily blocked from making long-distance calls yesterday, prompting long-serving Labour MP Ruth Dyson to suggest Right-leaning lobby group the Taxpayers’ Union might have been behind the problem.‘‘No toll calling available from Parliament,’’ Dyson tweeted.‘‘Saw ‘taxpayers’ ‘union’ in the building earlier. Money-saving...

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  58. Greater Wellington loses $43million on one building

    The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming the property management skill at Greater Wellington Regional Council which has lost 95% of the purchase price of the building it used to occupy.Information released to the Taxpayers’ Union under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act show that ‘Pringle House’ in Wakefield Street, also known as the 'Regional Council Centre',...

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  60. Leaked report shows efforts LGNZ making to protect poor performing councils

    The Taxpayers’ Union has been provided a copy of a leaked report Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) commissioned. The report was prepared in response to work by the Taxpayers’ Union to improve transparency in local government. Earlier today Ratepayers’ Report – interactive local government league tables – launched at...

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  61. Ratepayers' Report

    The Taxpayers’ Union, in collaboration with Fairfax Media, this morning launched "Ratepayers’ Report” hosted by Stuff.co.nz.  Ratepayers’ Report builds on the work of local government expert and financial analyst, Larry Mitchell and his work in previous years comparing New Zealand’s 67 territorial authorities. The data was pulled together by...

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  62. Herald covers Taxpayers' Union outrage taxpayer funding joke party

    Civilian's gain major parties' loss Herald - 11/06/2014The Civilian, a satirical website, has been allocated taxpayers' money to fund election policies such as 'free icecream' and a 'llama for each child'. The Herald covers Taxpayers' Union Executive Director Jordan Williams on the wasteful allocation of taxpayers' money. Mr Uffindell, the...

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  63. How not to reform GST: Changing the rules with a Friday press release

    Robin Oliver and Mike Shaw, a former Deputy Commissioner at IRD and former Deloitte tax partner respectively have provided a guest post on the changes to GST relating to bodies corporate announced by Revenue Minister, Todd McClay this morning.GST and Bodies CorporateWhat is proposed?All Body Corporate supplies under...

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  64. Waste watch: Auckland Council funds conference on polyamory

    Yesterday afternoon we received a tipoff that Auckland Council recently funded a one day conference to explore the practice of engaging in multiple sexual relationships with the consent of all the people involved, also known as polyamory. Last month the gaynz.com website reported that among the first recipients of Auckland Council’s first...

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  65. Are our priorities right in Tonga?

    This morning we received the following press release from the Government:NZ to contribute to the upgrade of Teufaiva StadiumJohn Key4 JUNE, 2014Prime Minister John Key has today announced New Zealand will contribute around $2 million towards upgrading Tonga’s national stadium in Nuku’alofa ahead of the 2019 Pacific Games.Why are Kiwi...

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  66. Happy Tax Freedom Day

    Today is Tax Freedom Day – the first day of the year when Kiwis stop paying for the state and start working for themselves. The Taxpayers’ Union believe that it is high time ordinary people saw the rewards of hard work going into their pockets, not the taxman’s.Congratulations...

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  67. Taxpayers' Union calls for changes to the Official Information Act to include trusts

    Trust investigates 'irregular payments' claim The New Zealand Herald - 27/05/2014A taxpayer-funded South Auckland disability support provider which received $30 million last year is investigating its own accounts, after claims from New Zealand First leader Winston Peters of "irregular payments".… The Taxpayers' Union called for changes to the Official Information...

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  68. Te Roopu Taurima O Manukau Trust shows need for OIA reform

    The NZ Herald has picked up our comments in response to the recent scandal surrounding "irregular payments" at the taxpayer-funded South Auckland disability support provider, Te Roopu Taurima O Manukau TrustTrust investigates 'irregular payments' claim NZ Herald 27 May 2014Trust investigates 'irregular payments' claimA taxpayer-funded South Auckland disability support provider...

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  70. London return for the money written-off on rail since 2008

    We’re currently working though the budget announcements and stack of material released last week.  What’s caught our eye are the unbelievable amounts taxpayers are forking out for KiwiRail.  On Budget day the Government announced a further $198 million of funding for KiwiRail’s Turnaround Plan. That brings the total cost to...

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  74. NBR: Ratepayers underpin vested interests’ development ambitions

    With all the focus on yesterday's budget we nearly missed this piece in yesterday's NZ Property Investor.Ratepayers underpin vested interests’ development ambitionsThe Taxpayers' Union says councils around the country are not telling ratepayers about the cost of capital that ratepayers are underwriting for local authority subsidies.Jordan Williams brought...

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  76. Autotalk on electric vehicles

    White elephant says Taxpayer’s Union, not so says APEV Autotalk - 01 May 2014The Taxpayers’ Union says it has uncovered what is probably the most expensive staff car park in the country, located at Z Energy on Customhouse Quay in Wellington.However the Association for the promotion of electric vehicles (APEV)...

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  77. John Bishop on consultation irony

    On Monday a fellow Taxpayers' Union board member and I spent a fascinating morning with a group of academics, middle level public servants and representatives of NGOs responding to a request for our views about 'open government'. Sounded interesting; well yes, but it turned out to be a quick fire...

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  78. Union welfare at Parliament

    This morning's Herald on Sunday carries a story on bonus for Parliament's unionists:The agency in charge of parliamentary staff has agreed to a cash bonus for union members, despite John Key's National Party previously denouncing such deals as discriminatory.An email obtained by the Herald on Sunday shows union members will receive...

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  80. The Dominion Post picks up Taxpayers' Union criticism of Government funding the America's Cup

    Taxpayers' Union criticise Government funding $36m towards the America's Cup The Dominion Post - 28/03/2014Government claims that last year's America's Cup campaign has paid for itself more than twice over have been criticised by the Taxpayers' Union.Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce yesterday released an independent report into the "direct...

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  81. John Bishop on Judith Collins

    Being involved in political activity makes it tempting to comment on each and every movement in the political dimension. Early on, the Taxpayers’ Union decided that it would focus on instances of waste and extravagance in central and local government spending, and on cases where spending had clearly not achieved...

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  82. Turning a blind EY

    You may recall that back in October, allegations of misspending within the commercial arm of the Te Kohanga Reo National Trust came to light as a result of an exposé by Maori TV’s Native Affairs programme. Allegations included a staff member spending Kohanga Reo funds on a wedding...

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  83. Game On - 194 days

    The Prime Minister has announced an election date of 20 September. The role of the Taxpayers' Union through the next 194 days is to make sure politicians are promising value for money - and not vote buying through pork barrel politics and government waste.Without fear or favour, we intend...

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  85. Update on Dunedin Mayor’s “Gentleman’s agreement”

    We now have more details of the deal uncovered by the Taxpayers’ Union over the weekend between Dunedin’s Mayor Dave Cull and former MP, Pete Hodgson, which the Mayor described in the media as a “gentleman’s agreement”.This morning’s Christchurch Press editorial analyses the deal:Editorial: Gentlemen sign contracts too...There is no reason to...

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  86. Internal Affairs misleading public with five year passport justification

    Earlier in the month, we launched Jordan McCluskey's briefing paper on the lousy deal New Zealand passport holders are getting. Following the briefing paper, and our presentation to the Parliamentary select committee considering a petition to reintroduce ten year passports, we've learned just how thin the justification is for the current...

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  87. Payments by Dunedin City Council to former MP with no documentation

    This morning the Taxpayers’ Union went public with material concerning a payment (or payments) totalling $3,400 by the Dunedin City Council to former MP Pete Hogdson with no documentation or contract.We're questioning the internal controls at the Council after the uncovering the payment following a recent media report that Mr Hodgson had...

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  88. Fizz using Health Research Council's logo without permission

    The Taxpayer’s Union has discovered that the 'Fizz' group of academics campaigning for a ‘sugar tax’ on soft drinks appears to have been falsely claiming the endorsement of the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC).A group of academics who have received a lot of publicity recently, calling themselves "Fizz" and...

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  90. Minister wrong on claim he's returned passport tax to New Zealanders

    TV One’s Breakfast this morning had the Minister of Internal Affairs, Peter Dunne, interviewed about the figures provided in the briefing paper we released yesterday.Mr Dunne told Rawdon Christie that the profits the Government has made from passports have “been returned to people via a lower fee” (click here to watch the...

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  92. Update on Napier omnishambles museum

    The Hawke's Bay Today has picked up the story on the omnishambles that is the Napier Museum.The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union has labelled the MTG Hawke's Bay museum's problems an "omnishambles", while Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule has denied Napier Mayor Bill Dalton's claim they knew about storage issues with the facility...

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  94. Consular cost supporting political 'Arctic 30' political activists

    Last month 3 News reported that Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, was investigating ways to recoup costs to the taxpayer of providing assistance to Australian members of the Arctic 30:“Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Australian taxpayers were entitled to ask why they should be covering the cost of assisting Australian...

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  96. Stick to the cake stalls

    This morning the NZ Herald reported that the Green Party want taxpayers to foot even more of the bill for political parties:“The Green Party believes the rules could be amended further. It wants an inquiry to investigate state funding for election campaigns.A spokeswoman said: "We see partial public funding of...

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  98. $15 Million Gifted to Multi-Billion Dollar Industry

    Yesterday Stephen Joyce announced:$15m investment in sheep and beef geneticsScience and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced a $15 million investment over five years into advances in genetics research that will improve the profitability of New Zealand’s sheep and beef sector.A new partnership, Beef + Lamb New Zealand Genetics,...

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