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  1. Ruapehu Council’s $700k blunder shows need for standardised council accounting

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is slamming Ruapehu District Council after it overspent by $700,000 on Community and Recreational services — blaming the blowout on incorrect coding.Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman James Ross said:"Ratepayers already struggling under a cost of living crisis and skyrocketing rates are right to call this...

    Read more about Ruapehu Council’s $700k blunder shows need for standardised council accounting

  4. Dunedin cannot afford another white elephant: $92 million landfill development must be deferred

    The Dunedin City Council has come under fire for its $92.4 million development of Smooth Hill landfill—at risk of blowing out to become ‘another white elephant’.Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union said:“Council is up to its eyeballs in debt—expected to climb to one billion dollars...

    Read more about Dunedin cannot afford another white elephant: $92 million landfill development must be deferred

  8. Health CEO Paid More Than the PM — Then Got a Golden Handshake

    On the news Health NZ paid for outgoing Chief Executive Margie Apa to attend a governance course — after she’d already resigned.Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Co-ordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:“Margie Apa was already one of the highest-paid public servants in the country — pocketing $895,000 this year, nearly $400,000 more than the Prime...

    Read more about Health CEO Paid More Than the PM — Then Got a Golden Handshake

  9. Taxpayer Update: Nicola Willis #FactCheck 💥 | Military-style e-scooters 🛴 | EXPOSED: p*rn in the PM's office 🫣

    Dear Supporter,As the country battens down the hatches for Cyclone Tam, your humble Taxpayers' Union is preparing for a different storm: the economic implications on New Zealand of the Trump tariffs. This week, we also cut to the truth about whether Nicola Willis is spending big or cutting her cloth, and...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Nicola Willis #FactCheck 💥 | Military-style e-scooters 🛴 | EXPOSED: p*rn in the PM's office 🫣

  10. REVEALED: South Taranaki District Councils $200k Lost in Radio Static

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act request that the South Taranaki District Council has spent $194,379.23 on radio advertising over the last three years.Taxpayers Union Investigation Coordinator Rhys Hurley said:“Almost $200,000 of hard-earned money pumped into the airwaves with no...

    Read more about REVEALED: South Taranaki District Councils $200k Lost in Radio Static

  12. Reserve Bank’s ‘Funding Cut’ is Actually a Massive Increase

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling out spin over the Reserve Bank’s newly signed five-year funding agreement, warning that despite talk of “funding reductions”, the deal still locks in a major increase compared to the previous period.Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:“Slapping the Reserve Bank’s ludicrous $1 billion funding...

    Read more about Reserve Bank’s ‘Funding Cut’ is Actually a Massive Increase

  13. This isn’t an office—it’s a corporate penthouse for local bureaucrats

    Responding to news that Tauranga City Council has signed a $91.9 million lease for new offices and budgeted a further $33.5 million for an interior fit-out—complete with $470,000 worth of coffee machines — Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:“This isn’t an office—it’s a corporate penthouse for local bureaucrats. Ratepayers are coughing up...

    Read more about This isn’t an office—it’s a corporate penthouse for local bureaucrats

  15. $5.2 million consultant spend unacceptable as cost blowouts grow

    The Taxpayers’ Union has today slammed the $5.2 million spend on consultants by Invercargill City Council for the Te Unua Museum of Southland, as part of the wider $87 million dollar ‘Project 1225’ development.Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union, commented:“Councillor Pottinger is right to raise concern—it’s...

    Read more about $5.2 million consultant spend unacceptable as cost blowouts grow

  16. Big council doesn’t always mean better council: Amalgamation on the cards

    Potential amalgamation is today in the news as the Government pursues resource management restructuring that would scale back council responsibilities.Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union, said:“Better collaboration between councils to find efficiencies for both service and infrastructure delivery is certainly encouraged, so long as they...

    Read more about Big council doesn’t always mean better council: Amalgamation on the cards

  17. REVEALED: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Caught With Its Tabs Down

    The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union can reveal, through an Official Information Act response that over eleven months the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) recorded 24 instances of staff attempting to access adult entertainment websites on government devices.The response confirms the incidents occurred across multiple months in 2024,...

    Read more about REVEALED: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Caught With Its Tabs Down

  18. End of term for Kāhui Ako – time to expel this failed scheme.

    On the news the Government is considering scrapping the $118 million-a-year Kāhui Ako (Communities of Learning) scheme.Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman James Ross said:“Kāhui Ako was supposed to be a revolution in school collaboration. Instead, it has shown to be a taxpayer-funded teachers’ lounge—complete with bonuses, busywork, and not a single meaningful...

    Read more about End of term for Kāhui Ako – time to expel this failed scheme.

  19. Dunedin Council tight-lipped on salary for missing Deputy Chief

    Dunedin City Council (DCC) has refused to explain the ongoing absence of its Deputy Chief Executive, Leanne Mash, citing privacy. Questions remain as to whether Mash still receives her full salary, which is as high as $499,999.Sam Warren, Local Government Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union, commented:“This is a shocking lack...

    Read more about Dunedin Council tight-lipped on salary for missing Deputy Chief

  20. Taxpayer Talk: Levi Gibbs

     This week on Taxpayer Talk, broadcaster Peter Williams sits down with our Senior Researcher, Levi Gibbs, to discuss the true cost of New Zealand’s climate targets — and how the Government can get back on a pathway to a surplus without raising taxes.In this episode, Levi also previews...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Levi Gibbs

  21. REVEALED: Scootergate – Defence's $32,800 Joyride on the Taxpayer Dime

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through an Official Information Act request that the New Zealand Defence Force has splurged $32,800 on e-scooters for Base Auckland from private operator Beam.Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:“Kiwis are doing it tough — cutting back on groceries, delaying holidays, and skipping...

    Read more about REVEALED: Scootergate – Defence's $32,800 Joyride on the Taxpayer Dime

  22. "No-Show Nick” – Gisborne Councillor Misses More Than Half His Meetings

    On the news that Gisborne District Councillor Nick Tupara has attended only 41.2 percent of meetings and workshops in his third term—failing to see ‘why it is an issue’.Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union said:“You can’t represent your community if you can’t be arsed showing up."“And...

    Read more about "No-Show Nick” – Gisborne Councillor Misses More Than Half His Meetings

  24. Nicola Willis’ new procurement rules won’t pull wool over taxpayers’ eyes

    The Taxpayers’ Union is responding to the Government latest supposed “Going for Growth” announcement, which will restrict Government departments and agencies to only using New Zealand wool.Commenting on the Finance Minister’s latest move to increase government waste, Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman Alex Emes said:“If the Finance Minister is trying...

    Read more about Nicola Willis’ new procurement rules won’t pull wool over taxpayers’ eyes

  25. Green gravy train starting to derail — but the job’s not done

    On the news of the Government’s decision to wind down the New Zealand Green Investment Finance Ltd (NZGIF), which has cost taxpayers $400 million.Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman James Ross said:“Credit where it’s due, scrapping this expensive and ineffective green slush fund is a huge win for taxpayers.”“NZGIF’s biggest achievement was...

    Read more about Green gravy train starting to derail — but the job’s not done

  26. REVEALED: Ōtorohanga District Council treating accountability like a threat

    The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union can reveal through a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act response that the Council is tagging information requests as “high” or “medium” risk based on who requested it.Sitting at the top of the “high risk” list, the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union.Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator Rhys...

    Read more about REVEALED: Ōtorohanga District Council treating accountability like a threat

  27. Tariffs mean need to announce Full Capital Expensing now

    With Finance Minister Nicola Willis’s announcement of a “Growth Budget,” the Government must act now to deliver it. In a tough global economic climate, not least driven by 10 percent US tariffs further punishing Kiwis, New Zealand needs bold, pro-growth reforms—starting with full capital expensing.New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman, Rhys...

    Read more about Tariffs mean need to announce Full Capital Expensing now

  28. If the Government wants to spend up on defence, show us the savings

    Responding to the PM’s latest claims around the affordability of the latest defence spending plans, the Taxpayers’ Union is wondering where the recently announced 12 billion dollars of defence spending is coming from.Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes, said:“While the PM has claimed ‘we can...

    Read more about If the Government wants to spend up on defence, show us the savings

  29. ‘Tauranga doesn’t need more debt!’ - borrowing limit increased for Tauranga City Council

    The Local Government Funding Agency (LGFA) has increased the borrowing limit for Tauranga City Council from 2.8 times revenue, to 3.5 times revenue.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager for Local Government, Sam Warren, responded:“If you need to borrow 350 percent of your income, you don’t have a revenue problem, you have a spending problem.”“Mayor...

    Read more about ‘Tauranga doesn’t need more debt!’ - borrowing limit increased for Tauranga City Council

  30. ‘Should put it to a public referendum’ Tauranga proceeds with Māori Wards by-election:

    Voting today opens for Tauranga City Council's by-election to determine who will represent the Māori ward of Te Awanui following Mikaere Sydney’s resignation earlier this year.Speaking on this, Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union said:“Mayor Mahé Drysdale has labelled this an exercise of local...

    Read more about ‘Should put it to a public referendum’ Tauranga proceeds with Māori Wards by-election:

  31. Taxpayer Update: 24-hour cone hotline gimmick 📞 | H&S reform no gimmick 👏 | KiwiRail's $8 Million secret 🤫 | Queenstown Council's $60 million bloat 🏢

     While World War Fee breaks out in the form of the biggest tax increase ever recorded (thank you Mr Trump!) it's otherwise been a pretty good week for New Zealand taxpayers. Some more great announcements by the Government on cutting red tape and regulatory taxes — including on health...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: 24-hour cone hotline gimmick 📞 | H&S reform no gimmick 👏 | KiwiRail's $8 Million secret 🤫 | Queenstown Council's $60 million bloat 🏢

  32. NEW POLL: Centre-right bounce back, could now form Government

    The latest Taxpayers' Union–Curia Poll will bring a sigh of relief for the Coalition parties as they find themselves able to form a Government again. The poll, conducted between 29 March and 01 April, shows National is effectively static, down 0.1 points to 33.5 percent, while Labour is down 4.3 points from last month to...

    Read more about NEW POLL: Centre-right bounce back, could now form Government

  36. Kiwirail exposed for trying to secretly flush $8 million taxpayers’ dollars into Cook Strait

    The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming KiwiRail following today’s decision by the Ombudsman, revealing $8 million spent on McKinsey mega-consultants. This comes after continued attempts by KiwiRail executives to keep the information from the public, citing ‘commercial sensitivity’ as a reason."This is a shocking revelation - $8 million dollars for...

    Read more about Kiwirail exposed for trying to secretly flush $8 million taxpayers’ dollars into Cook Strait

  37. Majority of Kiwis Agree—Parents Should Provide School Lunches

    The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union is calling on the Government to can its costly school lunch programme in light of a new RNZ-Reid Research poll revealing that 61.5% of voters believe parents should be primarily responsible for providing their children's lunches.Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Rhys Hurley said:"This poll confirms what we've all been...

    Read more about Majority of Kiwis Agree—Parents Should Provide School Lunches

  38. REVEALED: Queenstown to Drain $60.7 Million on New Council HQ

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act request that Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) will squander $60.7 million under the plan for a new administrative headquarters.Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator Rhys Hurley said:"This isn’t a case of need outweighing cost—it’s the opposite. Queenstown’s...

    Read more about REVEALED: Queenstown to Drain $60.7 Million on New Council HQ

  39. Jordan Williams' departure from the Taxpayers' Union

    The Taxpayers’ Union is thanking its departing Executive Director and Co-founder, Jordan Williams, following his appointment as Chair of the Government's Department of Government Efficiency Aotearoa—DOGEA—announced by Minister Willis today.“When David Farrar and I started the Taxpayers' Union back in 2013—a borrowed office, a jammed printer, and generous...

    Read more about Jordan Williams' departure from the Taxpayers' Union

  41. Golden parachute for failure: Kāinga Ora boss pockets $1m on the way out

    Commenting on the revelation that former Kāinga Ora CEO Andrew McKenzie will walk away with a $1.066 million pay out, Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman, Alex Emes, said:"Forget the farewell card and supermarket voucher, this is just a golden handshake for failure. All for the guy who steered the ship straight...

    Read more about Golden parachute for failure: Kāinga Ora boss pockets $1m on the way out

  42. Taxpayer Update: Judith "Crusher" Collins at it again 🤩 | RMA red-tape bonfire 🔥| ACC's rear-end costs 😳 | Taxpayer-funded fun police 🚨

     For once, it's been a great week for taxpayers! News that the Government is finally getting on top of the Ardern/Hipkins-created "consultant gravy train" is welcome, as are the details for what amounts to the most important thing the Luxon-led Government is likely to do to improve New Zealand's long term prosperity.Plus,...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Judith "Crusher" Collins at it again 🤩 | RMA red-tape bonfire 🔥| ACC's rear-end costs 😳 | Taxpayer-funded fun police 🚨

  43. Tauranga City Council says 'goodbye' to democracy - again

    A meeting held on Wednesday saw unelected Iwi appointees reinstated with voting powers on Tauranga City Council committees, following a decision made by councillors in December.Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager for the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union, said:“In a democracy, only elected representatives have voting powers on council committees....

    Read more about Tauranga City Council says 'goodbye' to democracy - again

  45. Same subsidies, different logo: stop babying CHPs with taxpayer cash

    The Government has announced $150 million in cheap taxpayer-backed loans for Community Housing Providers (CHPs)—propping them up with training wheels instead of letting them ride with private capital.Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:“This is Kāinga Ora-lite—same subsidies, different logo. Taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook...

    Read more about Same subsidies, different logo: stop babying CHPs with taxpayer cash

  46. The bureaucracy is still bloated — This ain’t no fiscal diet

    The Government’s reduction in consultants and contractors is set to save $800 million, while the public service workforce has shrunk by 4 percent to 62,968 FTEs.Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Rhys Hurley said:“Fewer consultants writing pointless reports and sucking up taxpayer dollars is good progress—but let’s not pretend this is...

    Read more about The bureaucracy is still bloated — This ain’t no fiscal diet

  47. REVEALED: Ministry Funnels $3.8 Million to Eco-Lobbyists

    The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through an Official Information Act request that the Ministry for the Environment has handed out $3,839,094 (exc. GST) to environmental NGOs over the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years—without a single report measuring its effectiveness.Amongst the big winners are the Environmental Defence Society ($377,743) and Forest & Bird ($200,000)—groups...

    Read more about REVEALED: Ministry Funnels $3.8 Million to Eco-Lobbyists

  48. RMA reform plans are a win for common sense consenting

    The Government’s announcement today of legislation to finally repeal and replace the Resource Management Act (RMA) is a long-overdue, much-needed win for New Zealand’s productivity. Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman, James Ross, said:“The RMA has long been a bureaucrat’s dream and a developer’s nightmare. It’s been a lead weight around...

    Read more about RMA reform plans are a win for common sense consenting

  49. REVEALED: Cultural consultants cash in $1.365m while Dunedin rates soar

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act request that Dunedin City Council (DCC) has spent a staggering $1.365 million over just three years on consultation with Aukaha—an iwi-owned consultancy firm—with ratepayers now hit by an average rates hike of 17.5%.Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator Rhys Hurley...

    Read more about REVEALED: Cultural consultants cash in $1.365m while Dunedin rates soar

  50.  REVEALED: Wellington Council’s $21,000 Hīkoi Portaloo Flush-Fund

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act request that Wellington City Council flushed $21,702 (exc. GST) of ratepayer money on portaloos for last November’s Toitū Te Tiriti Hīkoi protest—despite having no policy on funding facilities for protests and never having done so...

    Read more about  REVEALED: Wellington Council’s $21,000 Hīkoi Portaloo Flush-Fund

  51. REVEALED: Taxpayers Need to See the Backside of ACC Subsidising Rear-End Mishaps

    New figures obtained by the Taxpayers’ Union under the Official Information Act request lay bare an embarrassing trend—ACC claims for injuries involving objects stuck where the sun doesn’t shine are on the rise, with taxpayers left to pick up the tab.In the 2023/24 financial year alone, ACC shelled out $125,348 for...

    Read more about REVEALED: Taxpayers Need to See the Backside of ACC Subsidising Rear-End Mishaps

  52. Lacklustre GDP per capita growth shows it’s time for Full Capital Expensing

    After eight consecutive quarters of decline, New Zealand’s GDP per capita has inched up by 0.4%.Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:“Kiwis can breathe a small sigh of relief, but it’s far from time to pop the champagne. Even after two years of declining living standards,...

    Read more about Lacklustre GDP per capita growth shows it’s time for Full Capital Expensing

  53. Taxpayer Update: Let them eat marmite 🥪 | High Court anti-road bombshell ⚠️ | Health NZ's $28b spreadsheet 🚨

     Holiday update: Debbie Ngarewa-Packer's postcard from HawaiiYou'll recall a few weeks back, we raised concerns about Te Pāti Māori Co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer taking time off Parliament for a holiday to the Cook Islands to celebrate a wedding anniversary.But, unlike Ministers, MPs aren't covered by the Official Information Act – therefore...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Let them eat marmite 🥪 | High Court anti-road bombshell ⚠️ | Health NZ's $28b spreadsheet 🚨

  55. ‘Another domino falls’—district council ditches left-wing Local Government NZ

    Western Bay of Plenty District Council has today voted to leave Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) with one councillor saying it has swung ‘so far left’ that it no longer represented local views. “Western Bay of Plenty is the latest council to ditch the increasingly toxic group” said...

    Read more about ‘Another domino falls’—district council ditches left-wing Local Government NZ

  56. REVEALED: KiwiRail painting over failure with $87,000 kitty-cat and cultural murals

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through an Official Information Act request that KiwiRail has spent $87,259 on murals—including a “kitty mural” and various cultural artworks—while Wellington commuters continue to endure delays, cancellations, and fare hikes.Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator Rhys Hurley said:“Wellington commuters should be fur-ious that KiwiRail is prioritising feel-good pet projects while...

    Read more about REVEALED: KiwiRail painting over failure with $87,000 kitty-cat and cultural murals

  58. “$437 million sinkhole” eye-watering sums budgeted for Wellington Council’s social housing upgrades

    Wellington City Council this week expects to confirm its long-term plan that will include a budget of $437 million for social housing upgrades over the next 10-years.“Many of the houses are in fine shape following recent upgrades by government, and we’re in danger of seeing money spent for...

    Read more about “$437 million sinkhole” eye-watering sums budgeted for Wellington Council’s social housing upgrades

  63. Government’s protectionist procurement blows hole in “Go for Growth”

    The Government has today opened consultation on new procurement rules that would prioritise contracts based on “public value”—a concept that includes social, cultural, and environmental benefits, alongside a preference for domestic businesses - rather than cost-effectiveness.Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman James Ross has condemned the move as “irresponsible protectionism at...

    Read more about Government’s protectionist procurement blows hole in “Go for Growth”

  65. NEW POLL: Hipkins overtakes Luxon as preferred Prime Minister, Centre-Left extend lead

    More bad news for the Coalition Government following the latest Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll, as Labour edges ahead of National and the Centre-Left bloc increases its lead.The poll, conducted between 02 and 04 March, shows National up 1.7 points to 33.6 percent, while Labour gains 2.8 points to 34.1 percent.The...

    Read more about NEW POLL: Hipkins overtakes Luxon as preferred Prime Minister, Centre-Left extend lead

  66. Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL: Hipkins preferred PM 📈 | Best policy you've never heard of 🏆| $85k gecko hunt 🦎

     Going for GrowthWhat gets us up in the morning is a determination to put a stop to the economic drift - and the low productivity - that New Zealand's had for a generation.Economic growth isn't the silver bullet to all New Zealand's problems, but it comes close! Only with...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL: Hipkins preferred PM 📈 | Best policy you've never heard of 🏆| $85k gecko hunt 🦎

  68. Taxpayer Update: Official Mayoral rankings 🥇 | FACT-CHECK on health cuts 🏥 | Green MP loses it 🤬

    Dear Supporter,EXPOSED: New Zealand's best and worst Mayor. How does your local Mayor rank? 🥇With media thinner and thinner, and community newspapers often reliant on their largest advertisers (i.e. councils) accountability in local government is at an all time low. But your humble Taxpayers' Union is here to help...To kick-off local body election year,...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Official Mayoral rankings 🥇 | FACT-CHECK on health cuts 🏥 | Green MP loses it 🤬

  70. ‘A council without priorities’ - Hastings Council's embarrassing dams failure

    A report released by the Ombudsman has found Hastings District Council failed to properly maintain its streams and damns prior to Cyclone Gabrielle despite concerns raised during 2016 and 2021 reviews.Local Government Campaigns Manager, Sam Warren, commented:“Once again they’ve dropped the ball in meeting their most basic obligations towards locals.”“We're...

    Read more about ‘A council without priorities’ - Hastings Council's embarrassing dams failure

  72. Taranaki’s $85,000 ‘golden gecko’ wild goose chase

    The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) for wasting taxpayer money after revelations that $85,000 has been spent on a lizard relocation effort that has netted just one Gold-Striped Gecko.Investigations Co-ordinator for the Taxpayers’ Union, Rhys Hurley, said:“No-one’s saying conservation isn’t important, but $85,000...

    Read more about Taranaki’s $85,000 ‘golden gecko’ wild goose chase

  73. Dunedin water bills doubling ‘a result of years of underinvestment’

    Dunedin City Council argues local water bills doubling ‘inevitable’ over the next 10-years as they seek consultation on a replacement for its Three Waters department.“What we’re seeing is the result of years of underinvestment in local water infrastructure” said Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’...

    Read more about Dunedin water bills doubling ‘a result of years of underinvestment’

  74. PSA’s Scaremongering on Healthcare a Disgrace

    The Public Service Association (PSA) is misleading the public with false claims of health cuts—when the facts say otherwise, says Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Jordan Williams.“The PSA’s outrageous scaremongering is nothing more than a desperate attempt to protect bureaucratic empire-building.”Contrary to today’s The Post front page, which warns of...

    Read more about PSA’s Scaremongering on Healthcare a Disgrace

  75. ‘Nothing short of a scandal’- Wellington paying three times as much for pipes

    A report circulated this morning to Wellington mayors has made damning revelations over Wellington Water’s poor financial checks and strategic oversight that has resulted in pipework costing three times more than necessary.“These revelations are nothing short of a scandal” said Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union, Sam Warren.“Highlighting...

    Read more about ‘Nothing short of a scandal’- Wellington paying three times as much for pipes

  77. Taxpayer Update

     Hi Debbie Ngarewa-Packer's on tour – but are you paying? 🛫🏝️Remember Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer's surfing trip to Hawaii (coincidentally at the same time as she recorded $39,000 in taxpayer-funded international flights)? Last week, Ms Ngarewa-Packer was spotted in the Cook Islands protesting the Cook Island's new deal with China. Apparently, there's...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update

  78. REVEALED: Wellington, where wasting $94k painting whirlpools is an artform

    The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union can reveal through a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act request that Wellington City Council has wasted $93,819 of ratepayer funds on the 100-metre-long 'realms to the world of light' mural at Ākau Tangi Sports Centre.The expenditure breakdown is as follows:$4,000: Design and commission fees$5,762: Contract...

    Read more about REVEALED: Wellington, where wasting $94k painting whirlpools is an artform

  80. Representative gets $8000 for not showing up to a meeting in two years

    Today it was revealed that Arapata Reuben, a representative from Ngāi Tūāhuriri, has not attended two-year’s worth of meetings for the Canterbury Water Zone Committee. Despite this, he was still paid his full $8000 honorarium.“Reuben’s absence is perfectly in breach of standing orders, but both councils have not bothered to...

    Read more about Representative gets $8000 for not showing up to a meeting in two years

  81. Academics’ fury over science funding process overblown

    Commenting on the Herald’s front-page article about academics criticising the process behind Minister Judith Collin's decision to focus the Marsden Fund on core science, a spokesman for the Taxpayers' Union, Sam Warren, said:“Anger from academics like Troy Baisden on the decision by Minister Collins to right-size Marsden funding is a storm in a teacup.”“The...

    Read more about Academics’ fury over science funding process overblown

  84. Sir Brian Roche gives a reality check on public paycheques

    Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche has questioned automatic pay rises for bureaucrats, stripping powers off Chief Executives to further entrench the ‘tenure-based pay scale’ as pay rises become unaffordable.Commenting on this, Taxpayers Union Spokesman James Ross said: “Roche has cast an unbiased eye on a serious and...

    Read more about Sir Brian Roche gives a reality check on public paycheques

  86. REVEALED: Tauranga ratepayers pick up $5 million playground bill

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through a Local Government Official Information and Meeting Act request a total cost breakdown of Tauranga City Council $5 million destination playground.A breakdown of costs shows $1.67 million was spent on play equipment, $1.1 million on hard landscaping, nearly $640,000 on consulting, engineering,...

    Read more about REVEALED: Tauranga ratepayers pick up $5 million playground bill

  88. Taxpayer Update: Worst waste of the year 🐷 | A Sir or a Saint? 😇 | $1.2m artful grifters 🎨

     Hi You won't top these Golden Hogs 💫🐷Thanks to those who joined us at Parliament last week where we hosted the 2025 Jonesie Awards for Government Waste.In case you missed it, you can watch a replay of the red carpet, golden-glitzed (and, tongue firmly in cheek) awards ceremony here.This year's...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Worst waste of the year 🐷 | A Sir or a Saint? 😇 | $1.2m artful grifters 🎨

  89. REVEALED: Health NZ’s $4 million additional funding for Te Kurahuna ‘change agents’

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through an Official Information Act request that Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora) has confirmed the continued funding of the Te Kurahuna Programme, despite the disestablishment of the Māori Health Authority.The programme, which cost taxpayers $4 million, will see 11,000 staff access the programme...

    Read more about REVEALED: Health NZ’s $4 million additional funding for Te Kurahuna ‘change agents’

  91. Unused EV charger sell-off highlights Wellington Council’s ineptitude

    Responding to news that Wellington City Council is considering selling off the 26 unused electric vehicle chargers which have been sat in storage unused since they were purchased five years ago, Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes, said “it’s about time for the council to front up and...

    Read more about Unused EV charger sell-off highlights Wellington Council’s ineptitude

  92. “Poor decision-making making us poorer” - Kiwis $12,700 worse off than Treasury predictions

    Recent analysis has shown every New Zealander is likely to be $12,700 worse off, on average, than forecast by Treasury only two years ago.“These figures show the depth of the situation we’re in” said Sam Warren, a spokesman for the Taxpayers’ Union.“The reality is we’re getting poorer. The...

    Read more about “Poor decision-making making us poorer” - Kiwis $12,700 worse off than Treasury predictions

  93. REVEALED: Lobby group gets $1.2m in Creative NZ funding

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through an Official Information Act request that The Arts Foundation Te Tumo Toi has received $1,180,300 of funding from Creative NZ since 2021/22.This includes funding for lobbying/advocacy purposes, although The Arts Foundation was set up in order to raise private funds for the arts.Commenting...

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  95. NEW POLL: Centre-Left bloc could form Government for first time since March 2022

    More bad news for the Coalition Government following the results of the latest Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll, as they fall behind the Centre-Left bloc. The poll, conducted between 02 and 04 February, shows National up 2.3 points to 31.9 percent, while Labour has risen 0.4 points from last month to...

    Read more about NEW POLL: Centre-Left bloc could form Government for first time since March 2022

  96. Taxpayer Update: Labour back in Government in new poll 🚨 | Watts in car crash (interview) 🤦 | Orr's six nights of splendour ✈️

    The second Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll for the year is out, and it's not good news for the Government.SHOCK POLL: Labour, Te Pāti Māori and the Greens would have enough seats to form Government 📊Under these numbers, Labour, with te Pāti Māori and the Greens would be able to form a Government...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Labour back in Government in new poll 🚨 | Watts in car crash (interview) 🤦 | Orr's six nights of splendour ✈️

  97. “Read the room, Mayor” – Wellingtonians want rates capping

    Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has today dismissed a Better Wellington–Curia pollshowing 53 percent of locals supported any future rates rises to be capped with inflation, while only 29 percent opposed.   “It’s really quite sad that Mayor Whanau is so dismissive of her constituents” said Sam Warren, Local Government...

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