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  1. Taxpayers’ Union Slams Calls for Further Taxpayer Funding of Political Parties

     Responding to today’s release of the Final Report of the Independent Electoral Review, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“The recommendation from the Review to increase funding for political parties is morally wrong, and erodes grassroots democracy.“No taxpayer should be forced to fork out money to fund parties they find...

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  2. Taxpayers’ Union Celebrates Scrapping of $15k-per-Household White Elephant

    Responding to the announcement that the Government is finally pulling the plug on Auckland Light Rail, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said: “Nearly a quarter of a billion dollars has been burnt without a single metre of track being laid. Auckland Light Rail has been a failure from...

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  3. Taxpayer Update: NZTE's Yoga classes + kids games 🧘🎲| More Uni Waste 🚧 🏗️ | The Tax on Your Summer Road Trip 🔥⛽

    We hope you've had a relaxing summer break. Unfortunately, Government waste doesn't pause for summer and while Callum is still in Scotland visiting family, the rest of the Taxpayers' Union team have kept up the effort to find and expose government waste while standing up for taxpayers.This week's...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: NZTE's Yoga classes + kids games 🧘🎲| More Uni Waste 🚧 🏗️ | The Tax on Your Summer Road Trip 🔥⛽

  4. Accountability Needed over Disastrous Failure to Care for Te Urewera

    The Taxpayers’ Union is demanding accountability from the Department of Conservation (DOC) and the Te Urewera board following a ruling by the High Court that the burning and removal of the huts in Te Urewera was unlawful.According to information obtained under the Official Information Act, The Department of Conservation...

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  5. Wellington Water Must Sack Employee Caught Bragging about Wagging Work Amidst Water Crisis

    Commenting on a Wellington Water employee posting footage of themselves on social media bragging about ‘slacking off’, doing no work whilst still getting paid, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said:“In November alone, of over 3,800 leaks in the region, around 3,050 were left unattended. 44% of the...

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  6. Taxpayers’ Union Calls on NZ COP10 Delegates to Reject Misguided WHO Vaping Call to Action

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on New Zealand’s delegates to the Tenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to reject the latest WHO call to action on e-cigarettes which ignores scientific evidence and will see more people suffering from smoking related...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union Calls on NZ COP10 Delegates to Reject Misguided WHO Vaping Call to Action

  7. Otago Uni’s Lack of Transparency Reveals Much Deeper Problem

    Responding to the Chief Ombudsman's comments that the University of Otago initially refusing to release information regarding the cost of commissioning a sculpture was unjustified, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said:“Otago Uni refusing until pressured to share how it spent over $110k on a sculpture clearly shows...

    Read more about Otago Uni’s Lack of Transparency Reveals Much Deeper Problem

  8. Taxpayers’ Union Slams Extension of Corporate Welfare for Gaming Industry Fat Cats

    The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming the National-led government for giving in to well-connected gaming lobbyists and continuing to subsidise the gaming sector to the tune of tens of millions of taxpayer dollars each year.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“Subsidising an infant industry doesn’t help it to grow up. Instead, you end...

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  9. Ministry of Health vaporises $250,000 after incorrectly threatening retailers

    The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that the Ministry of Health spent $249,267.50 on legal fees for a court battle against a vaping retailer who they wrongly threatened for selling non-compliant products.The issue arose from the Ministry of Health incorrectly interpreting their own regulations in relation to maximum nicotine salt levels, eventually leading...

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  10. New Zealand Sending Millions in Foreign Aid to Countries with Space and Nuclear Programmes

    The Taxpayers’ Union is questioning why New Zealand taxpayers are forking out millions of dollars in foreign aid to countries that have state-sponsored space and nuclear weapons programmes.A recent Taxpayers’ Union OIA reveals that in the past year, India has received $1,178,000 from Kiwi taxpayers, Indonesia has been granted a...

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  12. Police have no idea how many people downloaded $634,000 app

    The Taxpayers’ Union is shocked to discover that the New Zealand police have no idea how many people downloaded their $634,000 ‘Virtual Cop’ app intended for recruiting new police officers.The costs of the app included $315,000 on concept creation and development, $265,000 on the development of new experiences and $54,000 on gear...

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  13. Kiwis urged to get away for one last holiday before National’s app tax kicks in

    The Taxpayers’ Union is encouraging Kiwi’s to get away for one last holiday before National’s app tax kicks in this year.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“Kiwis better make the most of their stay in an Airbnb or bach rental because it is about to get a lot...

    Read more about Kiwis urged to get away for one last holiday before National’s app tax kicks in

  14. Relief at last: Taxpayers’ Union celebrates end of the regressive, ‘reverse Robin Hood’ ute tax

    The Taxpayers’ Union is today celebrating the end of Labour’s ute tax and tesla subsidy that saw money being taken away from hard-working farmers and tradies and given to Wellington champagne socialists buying Teslas.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy said:“At last this costly, ineffective and unfair tax has...

    Read more about Relief at last: Taxpayers’ Union celebrates end of the regressive, ‘reverse Robin Hood’ ute tax

  15. New Year’s Resolution: Taxpayers’ Union calls for more transparency in the New Year

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on politicians and public servants to commit to increased transparency and accountability as we head into the new year by reforming the Official Information Act and improving proactive release policies.Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said:“The Government must start the new year delivering...

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  16. Tuning into Waste: NZ Police's $320K Podcast Gamble Falls Flat

    The Taxpayers' Union is questioning the rationale behind the New Zealand Police's extravagant expenditure of $320,000 on their 'Offbeat' podcast series. The series has garnered a mere 15,400 downloads since its launch, costing taxpayers approximately $21 per download.Oliver Bryan, Investigations Coordinator at the Taxpayers' Union, said:“The $320,000 would be far better...

    Read more about Tuning into Waste: NZ Police's $320K Podcast Gamble Falls Flat

  17. ACC's 'Have a Hmm' Campaign: Patronizing, Inefficient and a Lavish Expenditure

    A Taxpayers’ Union Official Information request can reveal that ACC's 'Have a Hmm' campaign has cost taxpayers an astounding $2.4 million from January to July 2023. The campaign's primary objective is to encourage individuals to exercise caution before engaging in potentially risky activities in order to prevent injuries.Oliver Bryan, Investigations...

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  18. New year tobacco tax hike will pile more costs onto smokers and increase crime

    The Taxpayers’ Union is warning of the social costs and impacts on crime of this years’ 5.64% increase in tobacco excise tax.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“The goal of reducing smoking and preventing smoking-related illnesses is a laudable one but this latest tax hike will do little...

    Read more about New year tobacco tax hike will pile more costs onto smokers and increase crime

  19. Victoria University of Wellington’s now $60m Living Pā is a disgrace to staff and students

    The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that University Council at Victoria University has approved an $8 million increase to their already massively over-budget Living Pā project, bringing the total spend to around $60 million – nearly twice as much as the initial $35m price tag set out in 2019.According...

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  20. Fuelish Mistakes as Police Put Wrong Fuel in Cars 19 Times This Year

    The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union is expressing astonishment at an OIA response revealing that police vehicles have been incorrectly fuelled 19 times in the past year, incurring costs of $7,570.48 for the taxpayer.Oliver Bryan, the Investigations Coordinator at the Taxpayers' Union, said:“Filling a vehicle with the correct fuel is a...

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  22. Taxpayer Update: What you made possible | Healthy Christmas Lunch? | The Tax on Christmas

    As we wrap up the year and before the staff knock-off, the team are reflecting on a challenging but successful 2023 and looking to the year ahead. Some highlights of what our supporters made possible this yearThe Labour Government extended the fuel tax cut (and then did it again!)...

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  25. David Parker’s Central Planning Committees on the Policy Bonfire

    Responding to the repeal of the Natural and Built Environment Act and Spatial Planning Act, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said:“David Parker’s resource management reforms tried to strip consenting, planning and resource management powers away from local communities and place them in the hands of unelected, co-governed...

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  26. Not since Mike Moore have New Zealanders been lied to like this – Grant Robertson should apologise

    The release of today’s Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update confirms the worst kept secret in Wellington; the fiscal challenges ahead are much worse than the public were told about prior to the election. From the Treasury lock-up, Executive Director of the Taxpayers’ Union, Jordan Williams, said: “Treasury has confirmed...

    Read more about Not since Mike Moore have New Zealanders been lied to like this – Grant Robertson should apologise

  31. Taxpayer Update: Taxpayer Victory Trifecta! 🎉 | Climate Change Commission must go 🤢✂️ | NZ still in recession📉💲

    The Parliamentary Press Gallery had their end of year knees-up that went well into the night on Wednesday, and most of the major news shows have have now wrapped up for the year. But the political year is far from over! Indeed, the real moment of truth on whether Nicola...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Taxpayer Victory Trifecta! 🎉 | Climate Change Commission must go 🤢✂️ | NZ still in recession📉💲

  33. DoC's Grand Goodbye For Outgoing Boss: A Whale of a Farewell Gift Spree!

    The Taxpayers’ Union expresses deep concern over revelations that Department of Conservation (DoC) spent $5,159 on retirement gifts for its former director-general, Lou Sanson.Oliver Bryan, Investigations Coordinator at the Taxpayers’ Union, said, “Whatever happened to the usual whip-round of the staff? The cost of the parting gift is...

    Read more about DoC's Grand Goodbye For Outgoing Boss: A Whale of a Farewell Gift Spree!

  34. Taxpayers’ Union welcomes announcement of Three Waters repeal – still work to do

    The Taxpayer’s Union is today welcoming Local Government Minister Simeon Brown’s announcement that the Government will scrap Three Waters in the new year but says there is still work to be done to ensure that its replacement protects property rights, ensures sustainable investment and infrastructure and removes undemocratic...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union welcomes announcement of Three Waters repeal – still work to do

  36. Scathing Auditor General Report backs up what we all saw coming from massive infrastructure fund

    Responding to the latest Controller of the Auditor General report criticising the decision-making process that led towards $15.9 billion worth of investment projects to be delivered over the pandemic period, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“It should have been obvious to the then Labour-led Government that rapidly pulling together...

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  37. Judith Collins crushing taxpayers with latest round of corporate welfare

    The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming today’s announcement from Judith Collins that the Government is doling out more corporate welfare via Callaghan Innovation instead of cutting waste and delivering tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“Any hope that this Government would be one for the taxpayer...

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  38. Government applauded for turning off the tap for KiwiRail’s doomed ferries

     Reacting to the announcement from Finance Minister Nicola Willis that KiwiRail’s request for additional funding to replace the InterIslander ferry fleet, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“We applaud the government for turning off the tap for this KiwiRail project that has gone well off track. With costs ballooning from...

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  39. Taxpayers’ Union backs ACT’s calls to scrap Climate Change Commission

    Responding to the Climate Change Commission’s latest report providing advice on the direction of policy for the Government’s second emissions reduction plan, the Taxpayers’ Union is backing the ACT climate change spokesperson, Simon Court, in his calls for the Commission to be scrapped.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“The latest...

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  42. Bay of Plenty Paves Way for Councils to Sell Off Their Assets as Rates Soar

     Responding to reports that the Bay of Plenty Regional Council plans to sell half of its shares in the Tauranga Port, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“This is a sign that Bay of Plenty regional councillors have their finger on the pulse and are putting ratepayers first. Councils all...

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  44. Government Must Let Film Subsidies Fall Off Fiscal Cliff - Taxpayers’ Union

     The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on the Government to let film subsidies come to an end as the corporate welfare programme hits its fiscal cliff next year.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“Film subsidies are a sad legacy of the Key government that saw the pockets of wealthy elites being...

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  45. Taxpayers’ Union calls for outcomes-focused mental health spending rather than a cash splash

     Responding to reports that a landmark $2 billion investment in New Zealand’s mental health system by the Ardern government has had little effect on services and delivery, Connor Molloy, Campaigns Manager at the Taxpayers’ Union, says:“We warned at the time that the incredible amount of taxpayer funds that were being invested...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union calls for outcomes-focused mental health spending rather than a cash splash

  46. Taxpayer Update: National’s App Tax U-turn📱🤑 | The cost of COP 🌬️💸 | Brooke vs. The Blob 🩷👾

    Nicola Willis adopts 'App Tax' policy previously slammed by Nicola Willis 👀📱Well, that didn't take long, did it? The new Government's backsliding has begun in earnest. Despite comments as recently as last week that "except for" the changes made in the coalition agreements, the National Party was sticking to...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: National’s App Tax U-turn📱🤑 | The cost of COP 🌬️💸 | Brooke vs. The Blob 🩷👾

  49. $700k "Adult Toy Store" Bus Stop Stretching Hamilton City Council’s Budget Hole

    Responding to Hamilton City Council’s decision to spend $700,000 moving and re-developing a bus stop due to its location outside an adult toy store, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“Only a couple of weeks ago, Hamilton City Council advised that they were looking to make savings to slash debt and finally...

    Read more about $700k "Adult Toy Store" Bus Stop Stretching Hamilton City Council’s Budget Hole

  50. Emission Impossible: MFAT's Pricy Climate Trip Defies Eco-Logic

    The Taxpayers' Union is dismayed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's (MFAT) outrageous expenditure on its delegation to the COP 27 climate conference. New information revealed under the Official Information Act shows that the total travel and accommodation cost to the taxpayer was an eye-watering $201,496.59. The kicker? All New...

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  51. Wellingtonians Lumped with the Bill for Exorbitant Heritage Pet Projects

    Responding to Wellington city’s earthquake-strengthening crisis, which sees the city on track to upgrade just 20% of vulnerable buildings, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said:“Hundreds of millions of dollars are being burnt upgrading earthquake-prone buildings, whether the owners want to keep the building or not. Heritage status binds...

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  52. One Human Rights Commission for the Price of Two

    Commenting on the Human Rights Commission’s appointment of a second “shared leader” to work alongside the existing Chief Executive, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said: “The cushy jobs-for-lefties culture at the top of the public service is well documented, but even by the incredibly low standards of Wellington bureaucrats this...

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  53. Taxpayers’ Union Launches Book in Celebration of 10-Year Anniversary

     The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union, in celebration of its ten-year anniversary, is releasing a book entitled “The Mission – The Taxpayers’ Union at 10”, edited by prominent political author and journalist David Cohen. Among David's other recent works is a book on former Prime Minister Jim Bolger.The book features a foreword by...

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  54. Government must Remove Price Controls from Carbon Credits to Ease Cost of Living

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on the Government to remove all price controls from carbon credits following today’s auction failing to clear the minimum reserve price for the fourth quarter in a row.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“The government already sets the quantity of credits available, so they should...

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  55. Public Service Te Reo Bonuses Should be Resigned to the Scrap Heap

    Commenting on the incoming Government exploring plans to scrap Māori language bonuses for public servants, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said:“If a role requires proficiency in te Reo Māori, then of course fluent speakers should be hired. But when proficiency isn’t relevant to the role in question, it...

    Read more about Public Service Te Reo Bonuses Should be Resigned to the Scrap Heap

  56. Cash Splashed, Scores Crash: New Zealand's PISA Predicament

    The Taxpayers’ Union is expressing deep concern over New Zealand’s declining education standards as revealed by the latest OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results.Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Oliver Bryan, said:“If education funding were a maths problem, it seems we’ve got the equation wrong – more dollars...

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  58. Human Rights Commission Demonstrate How They’ve Lost Their Way

     The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming today’s release by the so-called Human Rights Commission of a previously secret work programme to undermine New Zealander’s freedom of speech online. The HRC announced today that it has created a so-called “Independent Accountability Group” (IAG) to review the NZ Code of Practice...

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  59. Brooke Already Battling the Blob Just 10 Days into New Government

    Responding to the leaking of information suggesting that Workplace Relations Minister, Brooke van Velden, is having to battle her own officials to deliver on the manifesto pledge of scrapping Fair Pay Agreements, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said:“Ministers are elected representatives with a democratic mandate, and the...

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  60. Barbara McKerrow’s $50,000 Pay Rise is an Embarrassment to Wellington Ratepayers

     According to Wellington City Council’s 2022/23 annual report, Barbara McKerrow received a $46,216 pay rise from 2021/22 to 2022/23. Her total renumeration now sits at $513,970.Responding to this revelation, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“At a time when Wellington City Council’s financials are in disarray, and with ratepayers set...

    Read more about Barbara McKerrow’s $50,000 Pay Rise is an Embarrassment to Wellington Ratepayers

  61. App Tax U-Turn will Punish Uber Drivers, Airbnb Hosts and Consumers

     Responding to reports that the National-led Government has decided to scrap its plans to reverse the previous Government’s app tax, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“We don’t have a tax problem in New Zealand, we have a spending problem. The new Government is proving to be gun-shy about making...

    Read more about App Tax U-Turn will Punish Uber Drivers, Airbnb Hosts and Consumers

  62. Nicola Willis Heeds Taxpayers’ Union’s Calls for Public Finance Reform

    Responding to Nicola Willis’ post-cabinet announcement that strengthening of the Public Finance Act is being considered, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman, Jordan Williams, said:“Earlier today, the Taxpayers’ Union wrote to Nicola Willis calling for precisely what has been announced.  We need to know how Ruth Richardson’s pioneering Fiscal Responsibility Reform...

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  63. Government must not be held hostage by film sector lobbyists

    Responding to reports that film sector lobbyists are crying out for even more corporate welfare, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy said:“Time and time again successive Governments have been warned about falling into the trap of becoming hostage to the film sector. Threats of leaving or fear-mongering of job losses...

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  64. Taxpayers Win by Scrapping White Elephant Lake Onslow Hydro Scheme, but the Government Can Always Do More

    Responding to reports that the Government has issued a stop-work notice on the $16 billion Lake Onslow Hydro-Electricity Scheme, Taxpayers' Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, says:“This project was always a white elephant that would never pass the sniff test of fiscal responsibility, costing more than $8000 for every...

    Read more about Taxpayers Win by Scrapping White Elephant Lake Onslow Hydro Scheme, but the Government Can Always Do More

  65. Taxpayers Win by Scrapping White Elephant Lake Onslow Hydro Scheme, but The Government Can Always Do More

     Responding to reports that the Government has issued a stop-work notice on the $16 billion Lake Onslow Hydro-Electricity Scheme, Taxpayers' Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, says:“This project was always a white elephant that would never pass the sniff test of fiscal responsibility, costing more than $8000 for every...

    Read more about Taxpayers Win by Scrapping White Elephant Lake Onslow Hydro Scheme, but The Government Can Always Do More

  66. Taxpayer Update: Grant's World Cup holiday 🥂🛫 | Media Independence 🤑⚖️ | Agency Rebrands 💸 | MP Pay 🧐

    Surprise! 💥 Grant Robertson's bombshells for the incoming government 💣 👀 It's out with the old in with the new at Parliament this week. The new ministers are madly hiring new staffers for their Beehive offices, and the 'BIMs' (briefings to incoming ministers) are being worked through.Our spies tell us that...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Grant's World Cup holiday 🥂🛫 | Media Independence 🤑⚖️ | Agency Rebrands 💸 | MP Pay 🧐

  67. Hastings Councillor Damon Harvey a ratepayer hero, Mayor Hazlehurst is the villain

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling for Hastings District Councillor Damon Harvey to be reinstated in his committee chair role and the councillors to instead hold a vote of no confidence in the Mayor following revelations that he was stripped of his role after acknowledging the existence of a...

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  68. Taxpayers’ Union Offers to Design Government Department Logos for Free

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is offering to redesign logos for any renamed government departments for free in an effort to save taxpayers money following concerns that requiring a name change of government departments will give them an excuse to undergo an expensive rebrand.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“Taxpayer-funded organisations will...

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  69. MPs in Depth: Todd Stephenson

    This week marks the return of our MPs in Depth series where we get to know some of Parliament's new MPs. In this episode, Taxpayers' Union  Investigations Co-ordinator, Oliver Bryan, sits down with newly elected ACT Party MP, Todd Stephenson. Todd grew up in the South Island and obtained a law degree...

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  70. REVEALED: Grant Robertson’s Rugby World Cup jaunt sets taxpayers back almost $40,000

    The Taxpayers’ Union can today reveal that Grant Robertson’s attendance at the Rugby World Cup final in Paris cost taxpayers $39,605. Included in the cost was more than $32,000 in business class flights and more than $5000 in accommodation costs for the Minister and his staffer.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns...

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  71. Winston Peters is bang on with media trust

    The Taxpayers’ Union is backing the Deputy Prime Minister’s criticism of the media’s acceptance of so-called “public interest journalism” funding and is calling on all profitable media outlets to pay the money back via a petition at www.taxpayers.org.nz/pay_it_backTaxpayers' Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, said:“The issue was never about bribing...

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  74. Serious allegations from Nicola Willis require Government Inquiry

    Taxpayers will be alarmed that the Minister of Finance has said the new Government has discovered “nasty financial surprises” despite Ruth Richardson’s Fiscal Responsibility Act that was specifically designed to avoid the exact situation the new Government appears to be in.“Ms Willis is not prone to Winston Peters-style...

    Read more about Serious allegations from Nicola Willis require Government Inquiry

  75. Taxpayers’ Union - Hamilton City Council Should Target the Pencil Pushers Before Cutting Maintenance

     Responding to reports on Hamilton City Council’s cost-cutting measures ahead of threats of massive rates rises, with notable reductions to spending on road maintenance, landscaping and storm water drain cleaning, Connor Molloy, Campaigns Manager at the Taxpayers’ Union, says:“It is commendable to see a council which, faced with rising costs...

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  76. National Party U-Turn Will See Kiwi Families Punished by Stealth Tax Hikes

    The National Party’s admittedly soft touch promise to index income tax brackets to inflation every three years has failed to make it into either of their coalition agreements.Indexation would ensure that working New Zealanders keep paying the same in tax in real terms, and the abandonment of this...

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  77. Christchurch Ratepayers Ought to be Appalled by Council Overspend at Three Waters Department

    Responding to news that Christchurch City Council’s Three Waters department has overspent by $6.5 million on staffing positions since July of 2019, while the council is warning of double-digit rates hikes in the next Long-Term Plan, Taxpayers' Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, says:“The Christchurch City Council needs to regain the...

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  79. Environment Canterbury Decides to Retain Democratically Unaccountable Councillors

    Regional council Environment Canterbury has voted against introducing Māori wards for the 2025 elections. Instead, they have opted to retain the current system featuring two unelected appointed councillors with full voting rights.Responding to this, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, commented:“Whether a council has Māori wards or not...

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  80. Christchurch Council Won’t Reveal Whether it’s Covering Up Failures at Ratepayers’ Expense

    Christchurch Chief Executive Dawn Baxendale is leaving her role without working a contractual 6-month notice period. This follows a period of poor performance marked by rock-bottom resident satisfaction and high staff turnover.A UK Government-ordered report shows that Baxendale’s tenure at Birmingham City Council was marked by similar council...

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  82. RNZ Chief Executive should be taking a pay cut, not a massive bonus

    According to RNZ’s latest annual report, Chief Executive, Paul Thompson, received a $65,538 bonus and a $13,628 pay rise for the 2022/23 financial year despite RNZ failing to meet its key performance targets and running an operating deficit of $739,000.Responding to this news, Campaigns Manager Connor Molloy said:“By...

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  83. Wellington Council Officials Must Face Consequences for Concealing Information

     Responding to revelations that Wellington City Council officials withheld an in-depth KPMG report into Wellington’s financial positions for months, giving councillors just 2 days to review the document before the Long-Term Plan meeting, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said: “Yet again we have Wellington City officials getting too...

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  84. All Flake and No Filling – Taxpayers’ Union Finds Mt. Messenger ‘Pieday Friday’ Scheme Half-Baked

     Responding to reports that Waka Kotahi is estimated to be spending up to $500,000 on a ‘Pieday Friday’ scheme for workers on the Mount Messenger Bypass, Connor Molloy, Campaigns Manager at the Taxpayers’ Union, says:“Waka Kotahi is yet again splashing taxpayers’ hard-earned cash as much as it pleases at a...

    Read more about All Flake and No Filling – Taxpayers’ Union Finds Mt. Messenger ‘Pieday Friday’ Scheme Half-Baked

  85. Rau Paenga Needs to be Upfront with Documents, Not Play Cloak-and-Dagger with Christchurch Residents

     Responding to news that crown infrastructure delivery agency, Rau Paenga, is yet again opposing the release of documents concerning their legal battles over the money pit Metro sports centre project in Christchurch, Connor Molloy, Campaigns Manager at the Taxpayers’ Union, says:“It’s bad enough that the Government is pursuing this white...

    Read more about Rau Paenga Needs to be Upfront with Documents, Not Play Cloak-and-Dagger with Christchurch Residents

  86. Taxpayer Update: MPs' big pay rise 💰📈 | Health system failures 👩🏼‍⚕️🤢 | Proposed land grab 🏝️🤏

    With both Callum and Jordan away today, the mantle of leading the fight on behalf of taxpayers has been left to me. As we play the waiting game for coalition negotiations, the Taxpayers' Union is still hard at work exposing extravagant waste and demanding accountability. In this week's edition, we...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: MPs' big pay rise 💰📈 | Health system failures 👩🏼‍⚕️🤢 | Proposed land grab 🏝️🤏

  87. Brand Over Budget: Hastings Council's $70,000 Logo Splurge

     The Taxpayers' Union can reveal that the Hastings District Council has spent over $70,000 on its recent rebranding initiative. A staggering $46,512 was allocated to "Strategy & Creative" for the logo's design and development, with an additional $19,850 for signage guidelines development."It's both startling and disheartening to witness such...

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  89. All Revved Up with No Trucks to Show: Hydrogen Project Gaslights Taxpayers

     The Taxpayers' Union can reveal that a $6 million taxpayer-funded hydrogen truck initiative has failed to deliver a single truck, despite promises that they would be on the road by 2022.Oliver Bryan, Investigations Coordinator at the Taxpayers’ Union, expressed dismay, stating, "It's an affront to taxpayers that a project...

    Read more about All Revved Up with No Trucks to Show: Hydrogen Project Gaslights Taxpayers

  90. Transparency Test Failed: Key Ministries Yet to Embrace Ombudsman's Tool

     Taxpayers’ Union OIA's reveal that despite the Chief Ombudsman's introduction of a self-assessment tool in July, aimed at enhancing public sector transparency and adherence to official information protocols, prominent ministries and agencies including Waka Kotahi, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Justice have yet to utilize it as of September. Oliver...

    Read more about Transparency Test Failed: Key Ministries Yet to Embrace Ombudsman's Tool

  91. Taxpayers’ Union calls for prosecution of person who played campaign song at polling booth

     The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on the Electoral Commission to prosecute and fine the individual or organisation responsible for playing Te Pāti Māori’s campaign song at a polling booth on Election Day under s 197 of the Electoral Act 1993.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“The Electoral Commission must come...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union calls for prosecution of person who played campaign song at polling booth

  92. Western Bay of Plenty Land Grab proposal an affront to the right to property

     The Taxpayers' Union is slamming the Western Bay of Plenty District Council's suggestion that the Government forcefully take ownership of private property from its residents without compensation and lease it back to them as part of a climate change managed retreat framework.Taxpayers’ Union National Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, says:"While coastal erosion...

    Read more about Western Bay of Plenty Land Grab proposal an affront to the right to property

  93. Further headaches for floundering public health system demonstrate the failures of centralisation

     Responding to two different reports published in the last week lambasting the struggles that the new Public Health Authority and National Public Health Service (Te Whatu Ora) are experiencing daily, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, says:“Taking health matters out of resident’s hands has proven to be a massive mistake, with the...

    Read more about Further headaches for floundering public health system demonstrate the failures of centralisation

  95. Chlöe Swarbrick’s pork barrel politics deserves criticism

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling out the Green Party MP for Auckland Central, Chlöe Swarbrick, for engaging in pork-barrel politics in relation to her calls for regulation and subsidies for the Waiheke Island’s ferry services.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“Waiheke Island is home to some of the wealthiest communities...

    Read more about Chlöe Swarbrick’s pork barrel politics deserves criticism

  96. NEW POLL: National/ACT/NZ First hold Governing position, Luxon shoots ahead to become easily the preferred PM

    National is down 1 point to 37% and Labour is up 1 point to 28% when compared with the election result. ACT is down 1 point to 8%, the Greens are up 2 points to 14% and NZ First remains unchanged on 6%.The smaller parties are the Māori...

    Read more about NEW POLL: National/ACT/NZ First hold Governing position, Luxon shoots ahead to become easily the preferred PM

  97. Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL 📊💥 | $200k Golden Goodbye for CEO 💸 | Adrian Orr's Bonus 💰 | The change that is needed

    Callum is taking a post election break this week (and he surely deserves it!), so I've taken the helm to fight for taxpayers as we wait and see what the new government will look like (and, more importantly, what pre-election promises are actually followed through on!).In this week's...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL 📊💥 | $200k Golden Goodbye for CEO 💸 | Adrian Orr's Bonus 💰 | The change that is needed

  98. Taxpayers’ Union willing to work with Greens on member’s bill to end Beehive to Lobbyist revolving door

     Following revelations that Ministry of Justice officials are concerned that “[m]ovement between roles in government and lobbying agencies can result in misuse of privileged information and unfair access”, the Taxpayers’ Union is reaffirming its commitment to work with any MP, regardless of their party, to end the business...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union willing to work with Greens on member’s bill to end Beehive to Lobbyist revolving door

  99. Taxpayers’ Union calls on opposition to focus on good policy, not politics

     Responding to news that a range of new taxes, including wealth and capital gains tax, are back on the table as potential Labour Party policies, the Taxpayers’ Union is calling on them to focus on good policy, not politics.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“Taxes on wealth and capital are...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union calls on opposition to focus on good policy, not politics

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