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  1. Taxpayer Update: More money printing | Ping pong for COVID | Poor form from Stats NZ

    Dear Supporter,We need tax relief, not desperate money printingThe Reserve Bank Governor’s announcement of a new $28 billion 'Funding for Lending' money printing programme is a desperate measure. Clearly, monetary policy tools have become ineffective at fueling economic recovery.In fact, Adrian Orr’s loose monetary policy may do more harm than good...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: More money printing | Ping pong for COVID | Poor form from Stats NZ

  3. Revealed: Taxpayers cover animal welfare fines for Landcorp farmers

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is today calling on Landcorp to stop reimbursing farmers fined for animal welfare offences.The Taxpayers’ Union requested correspondence pertaining to staff reimbursements of fines paid by Landcorp over the last three years. Landcorp provided information revealing the following:• A $500 reimbursement for an animal welfare fine for transporting...

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  4. Taxpayer Talk: Tim Hazledine on economic recovery and the case for a GST cut

    Tim Hazledine, Professor of Economics at the University of Auckland, sits down with Islay to discuss his ideas for a viable path to economic recovery – including a temporary reduction in GST.You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio and all good podcast apps.

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  5. Election 2020: Whisky, Tango, Foxtrot

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is reacting with surprise and horror after being accidentally sent the results of tomorrow’s election.Acting Labour Party General Secretary Rob Salmond inadvertently included your humble Taxpayers’ Union on their union mailing list this year. Traditionally, unions receive advance notice of the election results they have spent so...

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  8. Revealed: Nearly three quarters of Kiwis oppose an asset tax

    Polling released today by the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union reveals that 72 percent of New Zealanders oppose an asset tax or “wealth tax”.Exclusive polling by Curia Market Research commissioned by the Taxpayers’ Union asked respondents, “Do you think there should be a tax that people pay on assets such as houses, cars and KiwiSaver...

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  15. Taxpayer Talk: Kelvin Clout on dysfunctional Council culture and recall elections

    In this episode of Taxpayer Talk, Taxpayers' Union Research Officer Islay Aitchison interviews Tauranga City Councillor Kelvin Clout on dysfunctional Council culture and recall elections. They discuss the COVID-19 Government assistance Tauranga Council is hoping to receive for future infrastructure projects.You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify,...

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  19. Taxpayer Update: Politicians kill jobs | MP's office rort | Goodie bags

    New paper reveals how 'job creation' projects destroy jobsToo often, our politicians fall into the trap of thinking they can create jobs by piling on more and more government taxpayer spending. But if that were true, high-spending countries like Greece and Spain wouldn't be facing a decades-long employment...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Politicians kill jobs | MP's office rort | Goodie bags

  20. Complaint laid with Broadcasting Standards Authority re Labour Party TV ad

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has laid a complaint with the Broadcasting Standards Authority regarding the Labour Party’s first television advertisement for the 2020 election campaign.In the advertisement, Jacinda Ardern misleadingly claims that her Party will “make apprenticeships free”. In reality, these apprenticeships are not free – they...

    Read more about Complaint laid with Broadcasting Standards Authority re Labour Party TV ad

  22. Under Labour everyone who earns up to $300,000 a year will pay more tax in NZ than Australia

    Labour have just announced a new tax rate of 39% on incomes over $180,000. This is in contrast to Australia that has legislated to cut taxes.Of course the 39% new tax rate is just the beginning. If they have a Labour/Green Government then they could strike a deal...

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  23. 105 police line: callers waiting longer, hanging up during lockdown

    Documents released to the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union under the Official Information Act revealed that during lockdown, almost 40% of callers to the non-emergency 105 police number abandoned calls rather than wait for an answer. Further, the average wait-time appeared to increase significantly during this period.For the period of 1-17...

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  26. Revealed: Taxpayer-funded ‘wellbeing’ goodie bags during Level 4 lockdown

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that the NZ Super Fund spent over $15,000 on “COVID-19 well-being parcels” from designer supermarket Farro Fresh for the Fund’s highly-paid staff over lockdown. Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Louis Houlbrooke says: “At a time when global markets were plummeting, and the fund’s...

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  28. Taxpayer Talk: Tourism NZ and its new $10m international ad campaign

    Despite our closed borders, Tourism NZ is spending $10 million on a new campaign meant to bring overseas travellers to New Zealand. The campaign is supposed to bolster New Zealand’s international brand of “kaitiaki, manaakitanga, and integrity”. In the latest episode of Taxpayer Talk, Louis questions Tourism NZ...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Tourism NZ and its new $10m international ad campaign

  29. Taxpayer Talk: Michael Reddell on Unemployment, Negative Interest Rates and a Temporary Cut to GST

    In this episode of Taxpayer Talk, Taxpayers' Union Research Officer Islay Aitchison interviews economist Michael Reddell on monetary and fiscal policy. Michael Reddell's blog, Croaking Cassandra, can be found here.You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio and all good podcast apps.

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  31. Taxpayer Update: Damning report | Green manifesto | Debt Monster selfie

    Damning report on Provincial Growth Fund confirms pork barrelling, conflicts, and worseA damning new report from the Auditor-General has confirmed what your humble Taxpayers' Union has been saying about the Provincial Growth Fund all along. He found failing processes with regards to the approval of grants, managing conflicts of interests,...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Damning report | Green manifesto | Debt Monster selfie

  34. Taniwha taxes adding 8% to cost of infrastructure builds

    The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union can reveal that councils are allocating up to eight percent of total build costs for iwi engagement for COVID-19 response projects.Taxpayers' Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says, "While trawling through council applications for 'shovel-ready' funding, we came across a proposal from the Waipa District Council that...

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  37. Taxpayer Talk: Runners and Riders – Who will take over from Todd Muller?

    The Taxpayers’ Union’s Jordan Williams and Neil Miller, sit down with political commentator and Stuff columnist Damian Grant discuss the runners and riders of the sudden National Party leadership race.You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio and all good podcast apps.

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  39. Blog: Why alternative monetary policy may not lead to investment spending in the economy

    This blog post is written by Taxpayers' Union Economist Karan Menon.Facing the biggest economic shock in our lifetime, Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr is signaling his support for the use of “alternative monetary policy” to jog the Kiwi economy.He is currently holding the Official Cash Rate at 0.25%,...

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  40. Taxpayer Talk: Chris Penk - Flattening the Country

    In our newest episode of Taxpayer Talk, Jordan sits down (in-person!) with Helensville MP Chris Penk who has written a book investigating the claim that the Government had "gone early and hard" in its fight against COVID-19. Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)Flattening the Country is available at https://chrispenk.national.org.nz/flattening_the_country.You can subscribe...

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  41. Tool launched for Christchurch ratepayers to submit against rate hike

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has launched a tool for Christchurch ratepayers to submit against Christchurch City Council’s proposed rate hike options.The official consultation form for the Council’s updated budget is frankly a scam. Ratepayers are asked to choose between three different rate hikes – 3.5 percent, 4.65 percent, and...

    Read more about Tool launched for Christchurch ratepayers to submit against rate hike

  43. Taxpayer Update: Statue madness | Taxpayer-funded propaganda | $4000 for tea

    Statue controversy is patheticWe are currently facing the economic fallout of a literal pandemic. But our country's media and politicians have decided the biggest issue affecting New Zealanders is whether or not our statues are racist.On Thursday, Hamilton City Council removed a statue of the city's namesake, John Hamilton, after...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Statue madness | Taxpayer-funded propaganda | $4000 for tea

  44. Taxpayers’ Union lays complaint over ‘Unite for the recovery’ ads

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has laid a formal complaint with the Auditor General regarding today’s full-page advertisements placed in a number of newspapers, including the NZ Herald and the Dominion Post, by the Government (pictured below).These advertisements are not primarily informative or educational, unlike earlier Government COVID-19 advertisements. Today’s ads have...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union lays complaint over ‘Unite for the recovery’ ads

  45. MPs in Depth: A Generation of Losers, Racism and Hard Work — Melissa Lee MP

    We're giving taxpayers the opportunity to get to know their MPs beyond photo-ops and party-line speeches. In this episode, Islay Aitchison interviews Melissa Lee MP. Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio and all good podcast apps.

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  46. Formal complaint to the Race Relations Commissioner from Taxpayers’ Union

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has lodged a formal complaint regarding the recent Capital and Coast District Health Board’s decision to move Māori and Pacific patients to the front of their elective surgery queues. We welcome Race Relations Commissioner Dr Meng Foon’s recent comments on radio that on the basis...

    Read more about Formal complaint to the Race Relations Commissioner from Taxpayers’ Union

  48. Taxpayer Update: Race-based hospital waiting lists | Chch rates U-turn | Public health follies

    DHB prioritises patients according to raceWe were amazed to find out this week that Wellington's DHB now has a policy which moves Māori and Pacific patients to the front of their elective surgery queues.We all pay tax into the health system with the expectation that we will receive help...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Race-based hospital waiting lists | Chch rates U-turn | Public health follies

  50. Taxpayer Update: What will PM Muller do | Race-based funding | Pork 🐷

    The National Party has a new LeaderThis afternoon, Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller successfully challenged Simon Bridges for the National Party Leadership.While we don't endorse political parties, we watch National very closely as a party of 'limited government'. Even if they fail to take back the Beehive...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: What will PM Muller do | Race-based funding | Pork 🐷

  51. Revealed: Covid-19 funding for GPs is race based

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that COVID-19 support funding for general practice clinics was allocated significantly on the basis of enrolled patients’ ethnicities. Information obtained under the Official Information Act 1982 showed that organisations received $4.50 in funding per Māori or Pacific patient with any other ethnicities worth only $1.50...

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  52. MPs in Depth: Reform priorities, time in the private sector and long-held political aspirations — Todd Muller MP

    This morning it was reported that Todd Muller is making a challenge for the National Party Leadership. Prior to these reports, Islay Aitchison sat down with him to hear more about his political philosophy, his goals and his background.You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio...

    Read more about MPs in Depth: Reform priorities, time in the private sector and long-held political aspirations — Todd Muller MP

  53. Taxpayer Update: Debt clock launched | Tram shelved | Rock bottom journalism

    Watch Government debt tick up in real timeFollowing the Budget’s eye-wateringly high debt forecast, the team have been thinking about how to best illustrate what it looks like to borrow $200.8 billion by 2024 (or $109,700 added to the mortgage of every New Zealand household).A couple of the staff put together...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Debt clock launched | Tram shelved | Rock bottom journalism

  54. MPs in Depth: The National Party Divide, Modern Conservatism and Fencing - Simon O'Connor

    We're giving taxpayers the opportunity to get to know their MPs beyond photo-ops and party-line speeches. In this episode, Islay Aitchison interviews Simon O'Connor MP.You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and all good podcast apps.Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)

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  55. Taxpayer Talk: Out of the Budget 2020 lock-up – Joe Ascroft and Neil Miller on the economics and politics of the biggest budget of our lifetime.

    The Taxpayers' Union's Consulting Economist Joe Ascroft, and former Treasury (now Taxpayers' Union) Analyst Neil Miller, sits down with Jordan Williams to discuss Budget 2020, the economic and political risks, and what it says about the Government's election strategy.You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Out of the Budget 2020 lock-up – Joe Ascroft and Neil Miller on the economics and politics of the biggest budget of our lifetime.

  59. Taxpayer Talk: Tim Hazeldine and Eric Crampton on Auckland's CBD Rail Loop and post-COVID economic recovery

    On this episode of Taxpayer Talk, Jordan Williams interviews Tim Hazeldine and Eric Crampton. They discuss Auckland's CBD Rail Loop, incentives for infrastructure spending and Thursday's Budget.Prof Hazledine’s opinion pieces referred to are here:https://www.newsroom.co.nz/ideasroom/2020/05/11/1162413/tank-the-tunnelhttps://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12327344The NZ Initiative paper referred to is here:https://www.nzinitiative.org.nz/reports-and-media/media/media-release-new-zealand-cant-afford-any-boondoggles-in-the-post-covid-19-recovery-new-report-says/You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google...

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  60. Taxpayer Update: What to look for on Thursday | 18 days of reading about rock lobster

    This will be a big week for taxpayers.Thursday is Budget Day, when Grant Robertson will decide how to spend around $100 billion of your money.As usual, we're sending staff to the Budget Day lock-up briefing. This event gives economists, sector groups, and unions a chance to read through...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: What to look for on Thursday | 18 days of reading about rock lobster

  61. Taxpayer Talk: Jami-Lee Ross on his rates freeze SOP, the Botany electorate and China

    Should Parliament step in to enforce a nationwide rates freeze, what's happening in Botany and should our relationship with China change? Islay Aitchison interviews Jami-Lee Ross.You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and all good podcast apps.Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Jami-Lee Ross on his rates freeze SOP, the Botany electorate and China

  62. MPs in Depth: Tough economic questions, Muldoon and PR — Paul Goldsmith

    We're giving taxpayers the opportunity to get to know their MPs beyond photo-ops and party-line speeches. In this episode, Islay Aitchison interviews Paul Goldsmith MP.You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and all good podcast apps.Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)

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  63. Taxpayer Update: More pay cut victories | Business loan bonanza | Where's Heather? | Where's David?

    State Services Commissioner throws his weight behind our pay cut campaign! 🎉We've had another major win in our campaign for the public sector to share the financial burden of COVID-19.Last month, we wrote to the State Services Commissioner and all major state sector agencies (including councils), asking if they would...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: More pay cut victories | Business loan bonanza | Where's Heather? | Where's David?

  64. Taxpayer Talk: Reserve Bank Reservations with David Seymour

    Taxpayer Talk is back. This week Jordan and Joe interview Act MP David Seymour on the worrying signs of the politicisation of the Reserve Bank, and Grant Robertson's suggestion of monetising the Government's debt. You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and all good podcast apps.Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)

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  65. MPs in Depth: Police, the campaign trail and proud socialism — Ginny Andersen MP

    We're giving taxpayers the opportunity to get to know their MPs beyond photo-ops and party-line speeches. In this episode, Islay Aitchison interviews Ginny Andersen MP.You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and all good podcast apps.Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)

    Read more about MPs in Depth: Police, the campaign trail and proud socialism — Ginny Andersen MP

  66. MPs in Depth: Shameless liberalism, the Wellington bubble and opening a pub — Chris Bishop MP

    We're giving taxpayers the opportunity to get to know their MPs beyond photo-ops and party-line speeches. In this episode, Islay Aitchison interviews Chris Bishop MP.You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and all good podcast apps.Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate) 

    Read more about MPs in Depth: Shameless liberalism, the Wellington bubble and opening a pub — Chris Bishop MP

  68. Taxpayers' Union reveals donation fund for COVID-19 relief

    After inquiries with Treasury, the Taxpayers' Union has confirmed that New Zealanders can voluntarily donate to a Crown receipts account to assist with COVID-19 relief, reduce the burden of debt for taxpayers, and avoid the need for new taxes.The bank number is 03-0049-0000327-25, and a copy of the deposit clip can be viewed here. Treasury...

    Read more about Taxpayers' Union reveals donation fund for COVID-19 relief

  76. Taxpayer Talk: NZ Initiative on COVID-19 - Dr David Law and Dr Eric Crampton

    In this episode, Jordan talks to Dr David Law (Research Fellow) and Dr Eric Crampton (Chief Economist) at the New Zealand Initiative thinktank. Dr Law has just published a paper, Policy Point: Short-time work to maintain employment and Dr Crampton a Research Note: Effective Treatment: Public policy prescription for...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: NZ Initiative on COVID-19 - Dr David Law and Dr Eric Crampton

  78. Pandemic response: Campaign for nationwide rates freeze launched

    The Taxpayers’ Union has launched a campaign aiming to force New Zealand’s mayors and regional council chairs to commit to a 12-month rates freeze in light of current economic challenges.While the Government prioritises economic relief for struggling families and employers, most local councils are still planning significant rate hikes in...

    Read more about Pandemic response: Campaign for nationwide rates freeze launched

  79. Exclusive: Ministry of Health hasn't asked where staff have traveled

    The Ministry of Health has not been asking staff returning from overseas where they traveled, the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union has learned.An information response from the Director-General's office confirms that "The Ministry has not actively recorded or captured personal travel of staff and Ministry staff have not been required...

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  81. COVID-19: Taxpayers’ Union release recommendations for New Zealand’s immediate economic response

    Responding to the developing threat of COVID-19 to the New Zealand economy, the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has released a paper outlining its recommendations in advance of the Government’s package being announced tomorrow. As fiscal conservatives, it does not come naturally to call for a dramatic expansion of the...

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  82. Picture of wasteful spending: taxpayers coughing up for arty Italian holiday

    The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union can reveal that Creative New Zealand and Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa are providing nearly $900,000 in taxpayer money for artists and curators to attend the Venice Art Biennale in 2021.Showing off to Italian art collectors might be glamorous and good fun, but taxpayers shouldn't...

    Read more about Picture of wasteful spending: taxpayers coughing up for arty Italian holiday

  86. Wuhan Virus: New Zealanders left high and dry as Embassy staff holiday – Kiwis told to call WHO

    Kiwi taxpayers in China have no one to turn to with New Zealand Embassy Officials having remained on holiday despite the Wuhan Virus turning New Zealanders’ lives in the province upside down.  The Embassy in Beijing remains closed for Chinese New Year.This afternoon the Taxpayers’ Union received a...

    Read more about Wuhan Virus: New Zealanders left high and dry as Embassy staff holiday – Kiwis told to call WHO

  93. Wellington City Council’s “living wage” badge is a waste of money

    The Taxpayers’ Union is questioning why the Wellington City Council pays $4,000 a year to the left wing “Living Wage” campaign.According to an official information response, the price includes $2,500 in annual accreditation fees, plus $1,500 in administration fees.The only thing the City Council gets for this spending...

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  97. Revealed: ‘Indigenous procurement' proposal will punish taxpayers

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling on Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters to veto Cabinet’s proposal to give special preference to iwi and ‘indigenous firms’ during procurement processes.Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says, “Buried in MBIE’s briefing to Phil Twyford [para. 27] as incoming Minister for...

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  98. BREAKING: Government finally pulls pin on controversial Clinton Foundation funding

    We can reveal that the Government has halted its funding of Clinton Foundation subsidiary the “Clinton Health Access Initiative” following nearly three years of campaigning on the issue by the Taxpayers’ Union.New Zealand taxpayers, to date, have shovelled more than $10 million to the Clinton Health Access Initiative....

    Read more about BREAKING: Government finally pulls pin on controversial Clinton Foundation funding

  100. Revealed: New Zealand's army of ratepayer-funded council staff

    Figures obtained as part of the 2019 Ratepayers’ Report league tables reveal that local councils across New Zealand employ 30,497 staff – 5,376 of whom earn salaries north of $100,000.Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Louis Houlbrooke says: "The sheer scale of council bureaucracy is stunning. Ratepayers are forking out salaries for...

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