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  1. Taxpayers’ Union welcomes progress on Three Waters replacement

    Responding to the Government’s announcement that they intend to improve access to finance for water council-controlled organisations (CCOs), Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“The Government is listening to New Zealanders who overwhelmingly opposed Labour’s expensive, bureaucratic and undemocratic Three Waters reforms.“It is fantastic to see them delivering...

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  2. Taxpayer Update: EXPOSED: 'White privilege' workshops 🚫🤦🏻‍♀️ | TVNZ's expensive rebrand ✨🪩 | Stealth tax continues 🙉🤫 | Council savings needed 🎯✅ | Worst deal ever 🏗️🤯

    EXPOSED: Taxpayers continuing to fund "white privilege workshops" for MBIE mandarins 🚫🤦🏻‍♀️Do you remember when the new Government insisted they were going through departmental spending line-by-line?Well someone should have gone to Specsavers if our latest waste exposé is anything to go by.On Sunday, your humble Taxpayers' Union blew the...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: EXPOSED: 'White privilege' workshops 🚫🤦🏻‍♀️ | TVNZ's expensive rebrand ✨🪩 | Stealth tax continues 🙉🤫 | Council savings needed 🎯✅ | Worst deal ever 🏗️🤯

  3. MPs in Depth: Andy Foster

    This week on Taxpayer Talk is another episode in our MPs in Depth podcast series where we get to know Parliament's new MPs. In this episode, Connor sat down with New Zealand First MP, Andy Foster.Andy is a former mayor of Wellington and also served nine terms as councillor making him...

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  5. TVNZ’s $1.5M Rebrand a Smokescreen for Poor Performance and Declining Trust

    The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that TVNZ spent $1.5 million on rebranding their online streaming service from TVNZ OnDemand to TVNZ+Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, says:“This extravagant expenditure comes at a time when TVNZ is plagued by poor management, declining revenue, and a growing mistrust among viewers. It is time...

    Read more about TVNZ’s $1.5M Rebrand a Smokescreen for Poor Performance and Declining Trust

  10. Taxpayer Update: Tax 'Relief' | Chaos at HealthNZ 🏥💸 | Exposing + Eliminating Council Waste 💰🔥 | Victory for Democracy 🗳️🌟

     Tax 'relief' this week (if you can call it that)No doubt the big story the Government will want the media focus on this week is their tax reductions finally coming into force. But sadly, it's not really tax relief when New Zealanders are still paying a higher average rate...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Tax 'Relief' | Chaos at HealthNZ 🏥💸 | Exposing + Eliminating Council Waste 💰🔥 | Victory for Democracy 🗳️🌟

  11. Pinot Nah: Taxpayer handouts for wine industry must stop

    The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming the Government for celebrating the opening of a taxpayer-funded experimental vineyard saying they should be pruning back corporate welfare, not championing it.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“The Government is loading the risk of this experiment onto taxpayers while allowing private businesses to...

    Read more about Pinot Nah: Taxpayer handouts for wine industry must stop

  12. MPs in Depth: Dana Kirkpatrick

    This week on Taxpayer Talk is another episode in our MPs in Depth podcast series where we get to know Parliament's new MPs. In this episode, Connor sat down with National Party MP, Dana Kirkpatrick.Dana defines herself as staunchly East Coast, having been born and raised in Gisborne, and has...

    Read more about MPs in Depth: Dana Kirkpatrick

  14. Bureaucratic incompetence as Hastings Council sells $1m building for $150k

    The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming the Hastings District Council for purchasing a building for $1 million only to sell it for $150,000 just two years later.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“This appears to be yet another case of a council not doing its due diligence before forking...

    Read more about Bureaucratic incompetence as Hastings Council sells $1m building for $150k

  15. Taxpayers and ratepayers must stop funding ‘Rebel Business School’ Rort

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on councils and government agencies to cease funding of Rebel Business School after it was revealed using offical information laws that almost $2 million of taxpayer and ratepayer money has been spent on the scheme.Rebel Business School provides unaccredited certificates and training for those...

    Read more about Taxpayers and ratepayers must stop funding ‘Rebel Business School’ Rort

  16. Taxpayers’ Union welcomes return of democracy to Tauranga

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union congratulates Tauranga Mayor-elect Mahé Drysdale and the rest of the Council on a successful campaign and welcomes the overdue return to democracy.Taxpayers’ Union Local Government Campaigns Manager, Sam Warren, said:“After being stripped of democracy in early 2021, and then again being shamefully denied...

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  17. Health NZ Board sacking highlights failure of centralisation-at-any-cost agenda

    The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming the sacking of the Health NZ Board who have failed to meet performance expectations but says the blame should also sit with the previous Government.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“Centralising and restructuring the health system into a bureaucratic behemoth was never going to deliver...

    Read more about Health NZ Board sacking highlights failure of centralisation-at-any-cost agenda

  18. Taxpayers’ Union opposes plain packaging laws for infant formula

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on Food Safety Minister, Andrew Hoggard, to reject calls for further red tape requiring plain packaging for infant formula products.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“This Government, but particularly the ACT Party, was elected to cut red tape, not create even more. Plain...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union opposes plain packaging laws for infant formula

  19. Universities must tackle bloat, not cry for more handouts

    Responding to calls from universities for the Government to renew a ‘one-off’ funding increase, the Taxpayers’ Union is telling the universities to tackle the bloat in non-academic staff in order address their financial challenges.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“Research from The New Zealand Initiative has shown that New Zealand...

    Read more about Universities must tackle bloat, not cry for more handouts

  21. My Last Taxpayer Update: Nationwide double-digit rate hikes | Government-backed newsgrab | Adrian Orr's digital cash - Taxpayers' Union

     This will be the last time you'll hear from me as Head of Campaigns – it is with a heavy heart I'm letting you know that this is my last week at the Taxpayers' Union (see the very end of this email). But first...Exposed: Councils hiking rates at more...

    Read more about My Last Taxpayer Update: Nationwide double-digit rate hikes | Government-backed newsgrab | Adrian Orr's digital cash - Taxpayers' Union

  23. MPs in Depth: Tanya Unkovich

    This week on Taxpayer Talk is another episode in our MPs in Depth podcast series where we get to know Parliament's new MPs. In this episode, Connor sat down with New Zealand First MP, Tanya Unkovich.Tanya was elected on the New Zealand First Party list at the 2023 General Election....

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  24. Wellington land rates review should focus on bringing rates down

    Wellington land rates review should focus on bringing rates downResponding to discussions in Wellington around the introduction of rates based on the underlying value of land rather than developments built on top, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said:“Rather than trying to chuck $32 million at its...

    Read more about Wellington land rates review should focus on bringing rates down

  26. Taxpayer Update: Golden handshake for incompetence 👋🤑 | NZQ-Ay? Yet another rebrand 💸🤬 | NEW POLL: Government gains, Labour drops 📊💥

    It's been a recess week at Parliament this week, but even with some of the top political leaders out of the country, the scourge of government waste persists ...At the same time, good news for the Government (and Mr Luxon) in this month's exclusiveTaxpayers' Union – Curia Poll...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Golden handshake for incompetence 👋🤑 | NZQ-Ay? Yet another rebrand 💸🤬 | NEW POLL: Government gains, Labour drops 📊💥

  30. Interest rates freeze shows need to take an axe to Government waste

    The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has once again held the Official Cash Rate (OCR) at 5.5%. Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said:“Sky-high interest rates are punishing Kiwi families and stunting economic growth. New Zealanders will keep getting relatively poorer until...

    Read more about Interest rates freeze shows need to take an axe to Government waste

  31. Government finally getting it on emissions reduction

    The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming the Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) framework released for consultation today that will reduce the cost of emissions reduction in New Zealand.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“The Government should be agnostic about where reductions in net emissions come from, whether that...

    Read more about Government finally getting it on emissions reduction

  35. Protecting Uber freedom to contract a win/win for both passengers and drivers

    The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming the Government’s review into how workers in the gig economy are treated and backs calls to protect the freedom of contract and allow Uber drivers to remain as contractors.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“Services like Uber offer drivers the ability to be...

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  40. Conflicted ‘reviewer’ of Stats NZ handling of census data and John Tamihere allegations unacceptable

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on Statistics New Zealand to replace RDC Group’s Doug Craig given new information has come to light showing that the same person reviewing Stats NZ oversight has in fact previously contracted to Stats NZ to advise on their risk management and governance oversight.The...

    Read more about Conflicted ‘reviewer’ of Stats NZ handling of census data and John Tamihere allegations unacceptable

  41. Government should double-down on Pharmac funding by redirecting money from movies to medicines

    The Taxpayers’ Union is renewing calls for the government to scrap costly and inefficient film and video game subsidies in order to further clear Pharmac’s wishlist following calls for crucial heart medication to be funded.A spokesperson for the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union, Sam Warren, said:“The Government was right...

    Read more about Government should double-down on Pharmac funding by redirecting money from movies to medicines

  42. Over 5,500 Kiwis tell Minister to scrap Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill

    Last week, the Government announced it’s progressing Willie Jackson’s flawed Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill, despite evidence from overseas that the model will likely fall flat.On Saturday, the Taxpayers’ Union launched a tool allowing people to write to Ministers Paul Goldsmith, Winston Peters and the Prime Minister. Over...

    Read more about Over 5,500 Kiwis tell Minister to scrap Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill

  44. U-turn alert: National & NZ First want to bailout the media (again...)

    This week the Government dropped another policy bombshell.The Minister for Media and Communities, Paul Goldsmith, announced that National and New Zealand First have U-turned and are now supporting Willie Jackson’s Bill to tax internet companies and give the media a bail out.ACT stuck to their pre-election position and...

    Read more about U-turn alert: National & NZ First want to bailout the media (again...)

  45. GOOD NEWS FOR WHANGANUI MAYOR

    Whanganui Mayor, Andrew Tripe, is on Brink of becoming a "Ratepayer Hero" following good news provided by the Taxpayers' Union in response to his public comments that he would like to reject his unnecessary mayoral pay hike, but couldn't.According to Local Democracy Reporting, Mayor Andrew Tripe says it was...

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  46. Depressed business confidence justifies shot in the arm

    Yesterday’s NZIER release of its Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion shows a continuing decline in business confidence.  This mirrors last month’s release of the BNZ-BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index that shows the manufacturing sector has been in contraction for fifteen consecutive months.Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, said that“With...

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  48. URGENT: Peter Williams

     Maybe I'm misremembering, but I could have sworn the new Government was elected on a platform of ending undemocratic, race-based 'co-governance' last year.I'm emailing because I've just been briefed by the Taxpayers' Union research team on what the new Government is doing with its "Fast-track Bill". It is...

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  52. Frivolous’ $800,000 towards street art projects amid rate hikes

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has called out Christchurch City Council’s use of $800,000 towards street art initiatives as a ‘frivolous use of ratepayer funds’.In response to the Council’s last-minute change to its 10-year Plan, Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union, Sam Warren, said:“Families up and down the country are tightening...

    Read more about Frivolous’ $800,000 towards street art projects amid rate hikes

  53. Ministry of Justice must sack officials who threw slurs at researcher

    Responding to the insults and slurs which were hurled at a PhD researcher by officials at the Ministry of Justice, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said:“These bureaucrats might’ve been caught chucking demeaning insults at a researcher this time, but let’s not pretend this attitude is...

    Read more about Ministry of Justice must sack officials who threw slurs at researcher

  54. Wellington’s woes will not be solved by more bureaucracy

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union says a proposed merger of councils into a lite-Super City is not the solution for Wellington’s woes.Commenting, Taxpayers’ Union Local Government Campaigns Manager, Sam Warren said:“Sadly, this is not a simple case of ‘bigger is better’.  Claims made by councillors that greater cost efficiencies will be achieved...

    Read more about Wellington’s woes will not be solved by more bureaucracy

  55. MPs in Depth: Dr Carlos Cheung

    This week on Taxpayer Talk is another episode in our MPs in Depth podcast series where we get to know Parliament's new MPs. In this episode, Connor sat down with National Party MP, Carlos Cheung. Carlos caused one of the greatest upsets at the 2023 Election when he unseated Michael Wood,...

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  56. Taxpayer Update: NZTA's "App to zero" 📲 | Abandon ship: Time to sell Interislander? ⚓️ | Councillors behaving badly justify recall elections 🗳️

    EXPOSED: NZTA blows $5.2 million on unusable app 🤳From the ‘you couldn’t make it up’ folder this week, our research team have uncovered a classic Wellington wasteful doozie, this time by The-Organisation-Formerly-Known-As-Waka-Kotahi.While roads across the country are looking like Swiss cheese, the geniuses at the New Zealand Transport Agency,...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: NZTA's "App to zero" 📲 | Abandon ship: Time to sell Interislander? ⚓️ | Councillors behaving badly justify recall elections 🗳️

  57. MPs in Depth: Ryan Hamilton

    This week on Taxpayer Talk is another episode in our MPs in Depth podcast series where we get to know Parliament's new MPs. In this episode, Connor sat down with National Party MP, Ryan Hamilton. Prior to entering Parliament, Ryan was a Hamilton City Councillor, small business owner and had involvement...

    Read more about MPs in Depth: Ryan Hamilton

  58. Axing of corporate welfare scheme welcome, Government must go further

    The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming the sensible decision by Minister Judith Collins to discontinue $11.2 million taxpayer funding for KiwiSaaS, a tech industry lobby group, but calls on the Government to go further and axe film and video game subsidies too.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“Big tech...

    Read more about Axing of corporate welfare scheme welcome, Government must go further

  60. Not good enough: Council’s rates hike one of largest in the country

    The West Coast Regional Council’s proposed 27% rates hike is being slammed as one of the largest increases in the country.Commenting, Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union, Sam Warren, said:“Due to either an inability, or unwillingness, to find savings within its own operations, councils continue to...

    Read more about Not good enough: Council’s rates hike one of largest in the country

  61. NEW POLL: Overwhelming majority of New Zealanders want Easter trading restrictions repealed

    A new Taxpayers’ Union – Curia poll has revealed that an overwhelming majority of New Zealanders think shops should be allowed to open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday if they want to do so.Voters were asked: “Most shops are currently forced by law to close on Good Friday and...

    Read more about NEW POLL: Overwhelming majority of New Zealanders want Easter trading restrictions repealed

  63. Show me the money: Government must explain where Pharmac funding has come from

    The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming today’s announcement of additional funding for Pharmac but is calling on the government to explain where the savings have come from to fund it.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“Show me the money. The Government has lazily kicked funding for these drugs into...

    Read more about Show me the money: Government must explain where Pharmac funding has come from

  66. NEW POLL: Strong support across all demographics for Māori Wards to be decided by local referenda

    A new Taxpayers’ Union – Curia poll has revealed that a majority of New Zealanders believe that the final decision maker on the introduction or disestablishment of Māori Wards should be local voters via a referendum as opposed to local mayors and councillors.Voters were asked: “Who should be the final...

    Read more about NEW POLL: Strong support across all demographics for Māori Wards to be decided by local referenda

  68. Interislander should be sold off, not kept afloat by taxpayers

    Responding to repeated incidents and mismanagement with the Interislander ferry service, the Taxpayers’ Union is calling on the Government to sell off the Interislander ferry service instead of funnelling even more taxpayer money into it.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“The government has proven, yet again, that is is not...

    Read more about Interislander should be sold off, not kept afloat by taxpayers

  69. Taxpayer Update: Economy fails to take off as Luxon grounded | Council officials go rogue | Pay boost for top bureaucrats

    The (very) slow progress on slimming down Wellington's bureaucracy 🐢For all the talk of 'brutal cuts' and 'savage job losses', the latest figures from the Public Service Commission show that most of the Government's savings are yet to materialise.When you add all the extra people still being hired, plus...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Economy fails to take off as Luxon grounded | Council officials go rogue | Pay boost for top bureaucrats

  70. Pharmac funding announcement must include reprioritisation of film and video game subsidies

    Responding to reports that the Government is expected to announce a $600m increase in Pharmac medicines, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“The announcement of additional funding would be welcome but must come from reprioritising exisiting spending, not further increasing the deficit.“An obvious area for these savings is...

    Read more about Pharmac funding announcement must include reprioritisation of film and video game subsidies

  71. NEW POLL: Significantly more people support Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill than oppose it

    Despite the number of protests over the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, a Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll shows that significantly more Kiwis support than oppose the Bill.The full polling report can be found here.Voters were asked: "The Government has introduced a Fast-track Approvals Bill that it says will speed up...

    Read more about NEW POLL: Significantly more people support Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill than oppose it

  72. Invercargill Mayor’s behaviour demonstrates need for recall elections

    Following allegations of inappropriate behaviour from the Invercargill mayor, Nobby Clark, the Taxpayers’ Union is renewing calls for the Government to implement a recall option in local government to allow residents to remove embarrassing, inappropriate or incompetent representatives quickly. .Taxpayers’ Union Local Government Campaigns Manager, Sam Warren, said:“Behaviour...

    Read more about Invercargill Mayor’s behaviour demonstrates need for recall elections

  73. Local Government Minister right to put Wellington Regional Council on the naughty step

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has rebuked Wellington Regional Council after discussions were held around purchasing Wellington Airport shares from the City Council.Commenting in support of the Minister, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said:“Councils shouldn’t be taking on debt and gambling with ratepayers’ money,...

    Read more about Local Government Minister right to put Wellington Regional Council on the naughty step

  74. MPs in Depth: Nancy Lu

    This week on Taxpayer Talk is another episode in our MPs in Depth podcast series where we get to know Parliament's new MPs. In this episode, Connor sat down with National Party MP, Nancy Lu. Nancy was National’s highest ranking candidate who wasn’t already in Parliament and was elected on the...

    Read more about MPs in Depth: Nancy Lu

  77. Shane Jones corporate welfare gravy train has left the station

    The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming today’s announcement of further corporate welfare from Regional Development Minister Shane Jones who announced $20 million in handouts to iwi, hapū and Māori businesses.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“The $3.1 million for a visitor centre in Taranaki does nothing except shift funds to less...

    Read more about Shane Jones corporate welfare gravy train has left the station

  82. Bonuses for public sector mediocrity need to be taken off the table

    Responding to Nicola Willis’ comments about performance pay for public service chief executives, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said:“KPIs might force public servants to pull their thumbs out, but performance bonuses should only be for Chief Execs delivering exceptional value for taxpayers’ money.“This Government...

    Read more about Bonuses for public sector mediocrity need to be taken off the table

  83. Taxpayers’ Union welcomes cutting of granny flat red tape

    The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming today’s announcement that the Government will make it easier to build granny flats without a resource consent.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“For too long, it has been effectively illegal to build affordable housing in New Zealand. Today’s announcement is a good first...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union welcomes cutting of granny flat red tape

  84. Anne Tolley abusing her position – should apologise or be sacked

    The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming Tauranga City Council’s Commission Chair, Anne Tolley, for misusing her position to influence the upcoming election to, ironically, replace her as the city returns to democracy.On TVNZ’s Q+A yesterday, Tolley told Jack Tame “[she] wouldn’t vote for them” in reference to those council...

    Read more about Anne Tolley abusing her position – should apologise or be sacked

  85. Pan Pan, Pan Pan, we don’t need new VIP jets for 5 trips a year

    The Taxpayers’ Union is backing calls for there being a better option than two unreliable and occasionally used 757s to transport the Prime Ministerial delegations, and is calling for investigation of leasing one of Australia’s VIP military aircraft, as and when required.Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams said:“The...

    Read more about Pan Pan, Pan Pan, we don’t need new VIP jets for 5 trips a year

  86. Wellington Chief Exec crosses a line, must be sacked after latest power grab

    For the second year in a row, and despite being a major political debate, Wellington City Council Chief Executive Barbara McKerrow has denied elected councillors access to ratepayer-funded legal advice surrounding the sale of the airport shares.This follows McKerrow this weekend releasing a new code severely limiting councillors’...

    Read more about Wellington Chief Exec crosses a line, must be sacked after latest power grab

  87. Teachers’ unions need to stop prioritising politics over pupils

    Responding to reports that the teachers’ unions are once again prioritising politics over pupils and opposing the recommendations made by the government’s Ministerial Advisory Group, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy said:“Every year we spend more and more on education yet outcomes consistently continue to decline. But when...

    Read more about Teachers’ unions need to stop prioritising politics over pupils

  88. Government refuses to fund cancer drugs, instead bows to gaming sector lobbyists

    The Taxpayers’ Union is urging the government to rethink corporate welfare for the gaming sector and direct that funding into life-saving medicines instead.“Reports suggest that it is Ministers Judith Collins and Todd McClay, along with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, that are preventing the Government from scrapping corporate handouts...

    Read more about Government refuses to fund cancer drugs, instead bows to gaming sector lobbyists

  89. Taxpayers’ Union welcomes review into health and safety regulations

    Responding to today’s announcement that the Government is consulting on reforming health and safety laws, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“Overzealous health and safety regulations are one of the biggest handbrakes on productivity, driving up the cost of everything from doing business to building the core infrastructure...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union welcomes review into health and safety regulations

  90. Miserable cuts to the bureaucracy locking in the growth under Labour

    The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming the revelations in yesterday’s information release from the Public Service Commission that shows the bureaucracy has only reduced by 416 FTEs since December last year.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“Is that it? After all the noise about how many jobs have been lost, the...

    Read more about Miserable cuts to the bureaucracy locking in the growth under Labour

  91. Government must scrap failing film subsidies and fund Pharmac instead

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on the government to axe all taxpayer funding for films and direct that money into Pharmac instead following reports that the Film Commission spent $88 million on film subsidies that generated just $14 million in box office revenue since 2020.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor...

    Read more about Government must scrap failing film subsidies and fund Pharmac instead

  92. Wasted $33.5 million on Northland railway shows danger of putting pet projects before economics

    Wasted $33.5 million on Northland railway shows danger of putting pet projects before economicsAlready, more than $33.5m has been spent attempting to reopen a mothballed section of railway between Kauri and Ōtiria despite the project now being put on hold.Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs...

    Read more about Wasted $33.5 million on Northland railway shows danger of putting pet projects before economics

  93. Fund medicine not movies - Taxpayers’ Union calls for scrapping corporate welfare to fund Pharmac

    In last month’s Budget, the Government claimed it could not find the $70-80 million needed to deliver on National’s election promise to fund new cancer medicines. At the same time, over $100 million every year – more than enough to fund the medicines – is being doled out...

    Read more about Fund medicine not movies - Taxpayers’ Union calls for scrapping corporate welfare to fund Pharmac

  95. Taxpayer Update: Let's fund Pharmac, not films 💊 > 🎥 | The Maori Party and Mr Tamihere 🗳️👀 | POLL: Opposition gains 📊 | Parliament now making wine 🍾🍾🍾🤦‍♂️

    The latest political poll is out (see midway down this email) but first, we ask the question: when New Zealand can't afford lifesaving cancer drugs, are hundreds of millions in new film subsidies to Hollywood film and video game studios really the best use of taxpayer money?Budget 2024 –...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Let's fund Pharmac, not films 💊 > 🎥 | The Maori Party and Mr Tamihere 🗳️👀 | POLL: Opposition gains 📊 | Parliament now making wine 🍾🍾🍾🤦‍♂️

  96. MPs in Depth: Hamish Campbell

    This week on Taxpayer Talk is another episode in our MPs in Depth podcast series where we get to know Parliament's new MPs. In this episode, Jordan sat down with National Party MP, Dr Hamish Campbell. Hamish reclaimed the previously safe National seat of Ilam at the 2023 election, following it turning...

    Read more about MPs in Depth: Hamish Campbell

  97. Richlister Peter Jackson should refuse corporate welfare to allow more funding for Pharmac instead

    The Taxpayers’ Union congratulates Sir Peter Jackson on coming in at number 5 on this year’s NBR rich list and urges him to refuse any corporate welfare for his upcoming films so that the government can fund Pharmac instead.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“Taxpayer money should go...

    Read more about Richlister Peter Jackson should refuse corporate welfare to allow more funding for Pharmac instead

  98. The Government must scrap taxpayer funding for EV charging rort

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on the Government to scrap its EV charging rort that will see millions of taxpayer dollars funnelled into the hands of private companies despite the policy doing absolutely nothing to reduce New Zealand’s net emissions.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“National is supposed...

    Read more about The Government must scrap taxpayer funding for EV charging rort

  99. Credit rating agency shot across the bow a danger to New Zealanders’ living standards

    The Taxpayers’ Union says that the comments from credit ratings agency Fitch overnight represents a major threat to New Zealand’s public finances and New Zealanders’ living standards should the country see a credit ratings downgrade and higher costs of borrowing.Taxpayers’ Union Economist Ray Deacon said:“On budget forecasts, out...

    Read more about Credit rating agency shot across the bow a danger to New Zealanders’ living standards

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