News

All news

  1. REVEALED: Tauranga Ratepayers Billed Nearly $70,000 for Bus Stop Artwork

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act request that Tauranga City Council has spent a total of $67,739 on decorative artwork for a single bus stop with $50,000 or 73.8 percent of the cost on design alone.Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys...

    Read more about REVEALED: Tauranga Ratepayers Billed Nearly $70,000 for Bus Stop Artwork

  2. EXCLUSIVE: Māori immersion school taking all staff to Tahiti for school holiday junket

    The Taxpayers' Union can reveal that Te Wharekura o Tauranga Moana is set to take staff to Tahiti this Friday and refuses to answer basic questions to justify the spend.Taxpayers' Union Executive Director Jordan Williams said:"Earlier this week we received a tip off that Te Wharekura o Tauranga...

    Read more about EXCLUSIVE: Māori immersion school taking all staff to Tahiti for school holiday junket

  4. Archaeologists brought in for Wellington’s $2.3 million light-up toilets

    A Local Government Official Information Act request made by the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union shows a new toilet block is budgeted to cost ratepayers $2.3 million, which includes costs for a light-up exterior and archaeological work.Taxpayers’ Union Local Government Campaigns Manager Sam Warren said:“How reckless can Wellington Council...

    Read more about Archaeologists brought in for Wellington’s $2.3 million light-up toilets

  5. Cook Islands Shouldn’t Get Automatic NZ Privileges if Foreign Policy Splits, say Kiwis

    A new nationwide poll commissioned by the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union shows New Zealanders do not believe the Cook Islands should continue to enjoy automatic access to New Zealand citizenship, healthcare, and education if its government pursues a foreign policy contrary to New Zealand’s – or fails to...

    Read more about Cook Islands Shouldn’t Get Automatic NZ Privileges if Foreign Policy Splits, say Kiwis

  6. 25,000 Back a Rates Cap But Government Delay Lets Councils Keep Spending

    The Taxpayers’ Union is urging the Government to fast-track legislation to cap council rate hikes, following new figures from Stats NZ showing runaway local government spendingand the risk of even higher rates next year if action isn’t taken now.Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager, said:“Council spending is out...

    Read more about 25,000 Back a Rates Cap But Government Delay Lets Councils Keep Spending

  8. Taxpayers’ Union Slams National’s “Ute Tax 2.0” As Even Worse than Labour’s Original

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling on the National Party's leadership to rule out Simon Watts' proposed changes to the Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) regime that amount to a new, harsher version of Labour’s infamous “Ute Tax”.Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says, “National campaigned against Labour’s...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union Slams National’s “Ute Tax 2.0” As Even Worse than Labour’s Original

  9. New Zealanders should not have to wait yet another year for Rates Capping

    The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming Local Government Minister Simon Watts’ commitment to rates capping made last night in Wellington but is urging him to expedite the policy. The Union warns that continued delays will undermine public confidence and emboldening opponents of reform such as Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ).Taxpayers’ Union...

    Read more about New Zealanders should not have to wait yet another year for Rates Capping

  10. Minister Watts Silent Again as Taxpayer Data-Grab Replaces Census

    The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming IRD and Statistics NZ after the Government announced it’s scrapping the Census and replacing it with a mass data-harvest from across government departments without public consent.IRD will share sensitive personal data like income and benefit details that must be linkable back to individual taxpayers...

    Read more about Minister Watts Silent Again as Taxpayer Data-Grab Replaces Census

  12. “Alarm bells should be ringing”: Trust in Wellington Council plummets in new survey

    Damning results from Wellington's annual survey has been released show major declines in trust and confidence in how the City is being run.“Alarm bells should be ringing. What has long been suspected has now been confirmed: Wellington residents have lost faith in Council.” said Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager for...

    Read more about “Alarm bells should be ringing”: Trust in Wellington Council plummets in new survey

  13. Still No Ticket to Ride: Time’s Up for Motu Move Money Pit

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling for the complete scrapping of the “Motu Move” National Ticketing Solution following confirmation that the project is ‘not on track’ and under external review.“This scheme has gone from late and over budget to totally unworkable,” says Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf. “It’s costing...

    Read more about Still No Ticket to Ride: Time’s Up for Motu Move Money Pit

  15. Green Party’s Fiscal Fantasy Would Bankrupt New Zealand

    The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming the Green Party’s so-called “Fiscal Strategy 2025” as reckless and would saddle New Zealanders with crippling debt, soaring taxes, and zero accountability.Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross says:“This isn’t a fiscal strategy, it’s an economic suicide note. The Greens are proposing to throw out...

    Read more about Green Party’s Fiscal Fantasy Would Bankrupt New Zealand

  16. Taxpayer Victory: Heritage Handbrake Lifted by Minister Bishop

    The Taxpayers’ Union is celebrating a major win for taxpayers following Minister Chris Bishop’s decision to allow councils to de-list heritage buildings faster, including for Wellington’s derelict Gordon Wilson Flats.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf, said:“We’ve long said that heritage rules are being abused by bureaucrats and activists to block...

    Read more about Taxpayer Victory: Heritage Handbrake Lifted by Minister Bishop

  17. Taxpayers Slugged for $400k Boutique Snails

    The Taxpayers’ Union has revealed through an Official Information Act request that the Department of Conservation (DOC) has spent $411,875 on the endangered southern Powelliphanta augusta snails.Following the collapse of Solid Energy, DOC took over responsibility for the captive snails, with additional habitat restoration projects now costing more than $1 million.Taxpayers’ Union...

    Read more about Taxpayers Slugged for $400k Boutique Snails

  19. Luxon’s Common-Sense Sick Leave Reform Can’t Come Soon Enough

    The Taxpayers’ Union is backing Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s comments on reining in pandemic-era sick leave rules.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf says: “The current system is fundamentally unfair, costly, and out of touch with economic reality - especially for the taxpayers footing the bill.”“Sick leave entitlements disproportionately favour part-time...

    Read more about Luxon’s Common-Sense Sick Leave Reform Can’t Come Soon Enough

  20. Taxpayers’ Union Backs ACT on Ditching Council Climate Theatratrics

    The Taxpayers’ Union has welcomed ACT’s announcement that its local candidates will oppose council-level emissions policies, calling it a needed step to rein in wasteful spending and refocus councils on core services. Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:“Under the Emissions Trading Scheme, emissions are already capped nationally. Local climate...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union Backs ACT on Ditching Council Climate Theatratrics

  21. Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL Labour ahead of Nats 📉 | Selwyn District Council listening to kids 🖍️ | Waipā's $800k spin doctors 😵‍💫

    Hi,This week, your humble Taxpayers' Union are exposing Waipā District Council, asking why Selwyn let the kids make decisions, and it's bad news for the Government in our latest Taxpayers' Union Curia poll.Selwyn's childish consultation debacle 🎨Last week, we uncovered that Selwyn District Council has been caught mixing feedback...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL Labour ahead of Nats 📉 | Selwyn District Council listening to kids 🖍️ | Waipā's $800k spin doctors 😵‍💫

  25. Taxpayer Talk: Sir Bill English on the Future of Superannuation and the Public Service

    It’s seven years since Sir Bill English left politics but the former Prime Minister and long serving Finance Minister is still a keen follower of the political landscape and how the economic outlook for the country can be improved.In conversation with Peter Williams for the latest Taxpayer Talk...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Sir Bill English on the Future of Superannuation and the Public Service

  26. Orr Resigned Over Funding Disagreement Despite Massive Boost

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling out Adrian Orr’s resignation as nothing more than a sulk over funding disagreements, despite a significant increase in funding over and above the previous five-year agreement.Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:“Orr resigned because he didn’t quite get all of the massive funding increase...

    Read more about Orr Resigned Over Funding Disagreement Despite Massive Boost

  28. Join the campaign to Cap Rates Now

    We are officially launching our "Cap Rates Now!" campaign, to rein in New Zealand's out-of-control councils.We're using this week's National Fieldays to call on Local Government Minister Simon Watts to introduce Australian and UK-style rates caps to limit annual rate increases to inflation.We're demanding a rates cap -...

    Read more about Join the campaign to Cap Rates Now

  32. Taxpayer Update: DoC funding eco-lobbyists 🪧 | Mayoral robes? 👙 | Upgrade to official NZ Govt. Debt Clock ⏰💣

    Hi,This week, your humble Taxpayers' Union exposed more taxpayer funded anti-government environmental lobbyists, the $94,000 vanity project for Rotorua's Mayor, and why we're updating the Debt Clock. EXPOSED: Department of Conservation funding eco-lobbyists to... fight the Government? 🌳✊A few months ago, our Investigations Coordinator, Rhys, emailed supporters to expose the funding received...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: DoC funding eco-lobbyists 🪧 | Mayoral robes? 👙 | Upgrade to official NZ Govt. Debt Clock ⏰💣

  33. Tick Tock: Taxpayers' Union Refreshes Debt Clock to Show Full Government Borrowing

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has today updated its online Debt Clock to reflect Total Crown Borrowings, replacing the previously used measure of Net Core Crown Debt.The change comes after concerns that Net Core Crown Debt understates the true burden of government borrowing by excluding the ballooning liabilities...

    Read more about Tick Tock: Taxpayers' Union Refreshes Debt Clock to Show Full Government Borrowing

  34. Why We’re Switching the Debt Clock to ‘Total Crown Borrowings’

    Since its launch, the New Zealand Debt Clock has highlighted the burden of government debt in real time. We’ve always aimed to present this figure in a way that's meaningful, honest, and easy for taxpayers to understand.In recent years, we’ve used Net Core Crown Debt – a figure often referenced in government...

    Read more about Why We’re Switching the Debt Clock to ‘Total Crown Borrowings’

  38. Taxpayers back Minister Brown’s tough questions, now its time to finish the job

    Responding to Minister Simeon Brown’s demands for underperforming SOEs like NZ Post and Pāmu to lift their game, Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman James Ross said:“Minister Brown is absolutely right to ask why SOEs like NZ Post and Pāmu are failing to deliver basic commercial returns, proving that government ownership doesn’t...

    Read more about Taxpayers back Minister Brown’s tough questions, now its time to finish the job

  39. REVEALED: Lights, Camera, Waste: Rotorua’s $94k Mayoral Ad

    The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act request that Rotorua Lakes Council—via its Council Controlled Organisation, RotoruaNZ—forked out $93,985 on a television campaign featuring Mayor Tania Tapsell.The ‘Robe Trip’ campaign, targeting luxury-seeking Auckland couples, cost $42,784 to produce and a further $51,201 to...

    Read more about REVEALED: Lights, Camera, Waste: Rotorua’s $94k Mayoral Ad

  41. Council mega-merger for Wellington still on the cards, play your hand carefully

    A mega-merger between Wellington councils is being considered for a non-binding referendum that would combine the services and functions for the five authorities.“Remember that big council doesn’t mean good council. What we got in Auckland was a cautionary tale; more bureaucracy and empire-building.” said Sam Warren, Local Government...

    Read more about Council mega-merger for Wellington still on the cards, play your hand carefully

  42. EXPOSED: Council mixes feedback from children and adults

    The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act that submissions collected from schoolchildren were given to Selwyn District Councillors to guide their decisions, as part of Waikirikiri Ki Tua, the Future Selwyn Survey.Officials have acknowledged that some responses from the children may...

    Read more about EXPOSED: Council mixes feedback from children and adults

  43. “9.9 percent rates increase is not a victory” Taxpayers’ Union slams Tauranga rates shambles

    Tauranga City Council has confirmed a 9.9 percent rates increase. Council has cited savings found that has led to a lower rise than the 12 percent proposed, and the 20 percent originally projected.“9.9 percent is not a victory—and councillors should not be patting themselves on the back for...

    Read more about “9.9 percent rates increase is not a victory” Taxpayers’ Union slams Tauranga rates shambles

  45. Whanganui Leads the Way: Taxpayers’ Union Applauds Country’s Lowest Rates Rise

    The Taxpayers’ Union is congratulating Whanganui District Council for delivering what may be the lowest rates increase in the country — just 2.2 percent for 2025/26 — at a time when most councils are hitting ratepayers with double-digit hikes.“This is what responsible local government looks like,” says Taxpayers’ Union...

    Read more about Whanganui Leads the Way: Taxpayers’ Union Applauds Country’s Lowest Rates Rise

  46. Why We’re Switching the Debt Clock to ‘Total Crown Borrowings’

    Since its launch, the New Zealand Debt Clock has highlighted the burden of government debt in real time. We’ve always aimed to present this figure in a way that's meaningful, honest, and easy for taxpayers to understand.In recent years, we’ve used Net Core Crown Debt – a figure often referenced in government...

    Read more about Why We’re Switching the Debt Clock to ‘Total Crown Borrowings’

  48. Taxpayer Update

     With Budget over, our heads are down working to launch our next campaigns fighting for Lower Taxes, Less Waste, and More Accountability in the coming weeks. First and foremost: tackling the costs of local government, and demanding more transparency.In this week's edition, we expose the 14-year "temp" at IRD,...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update

  50. Death and Wealth Taxes Back on the Table — Hipkins Must Rule Them Out

    Responding to Winston Peters ruling out working with Chris Hipkins after the 2026 election, Taxpayers’ Union Spokesperson Tory Relf said:“A potential Labour Government would now almost certainly need to rely on parties demanding wealth and death taxes. That would cripple family farms and small businesses.”“Kiwis need economic growth,...

    Read more about Death and Wealth Taxes Back on the Table — Hipkins Must Rule Them Out

  51. Wellington consultants more than doubles in five years: “The opposite of what Council needs to do.”

    Responding to news that Wellington City Council’s consultant costs have more than doubled since 2020, Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman Sam Warren said:“This is incredibly insulting as a 12.0 percent rates increases has just been announced—on top of last year’s 16.9 percent hike. That’s more than a 30.9 percent compound increase...

    Read more about Wellington consultants more than doubles in five years: “The opposite of what Council needs to do.”

  56. ‘We’re going to need a bigger debt clock’ – no plan for tackling runaway debt

    Commenting on Budget 2025’s failure to restrain New Zealand’s runaway Government debt, Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman James Ross said:“Debt is increasing every single year over the forecast period in Budget 2025, reaching $108,700 per household by 2029. That’s $2,000 more than the last forecasts issued just five months ago.”“Grant...

    Read more about ‘We’re going to need a bigger debt clock’ – no plan for tackling runaway debt

  57. Parents, not the nanny state, should be responsible for school leavers

    The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming the decision to limit access for 18 and 19 year olds who are not working or in education to Jobseeker Support and Emergency Benefit, but is questioning why this change isn’t being implemented until July 2027.Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman James Ross asks:“Getting teenagers off...

    Read more about Parents, not the nanny state, should be responsible for school leavers

  66. $100,000 dinosaur sculpture causes uproar with ratepayers

    There has been uproar from ratepayers following the unveiling of a $100,000 dinosaur sculpture amidst a colossal 8 percent rates increase proposed by Taupō District Council.Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union, said:“Council just doesn’t get it—locals want the basics: roads, pipes and rubbish. Instead,...

    Read more about $100,000 dinosaur sculpture causes uproar with ratepayers

  67. Q&A on Full Capital Expensing: Taxpayers’ Union Urges Government to Adopt Policy in Budget 2025

    Following growing public discussion over the weekend and the Prime Minister’s remarks on Newstalk ZB this morning, the Taxpayers’ Union is once again calling on the Government to adopt full capital expensing as a centrepiece of Budget 2025.James Ross, Spokesman for the Taxpayers’ Union, says: "Full capital expensing is a proven,...

    Read more about Q&A on Full Capital Expensing: Taxpayers’ Union Urges Government to Adopt Policy in Budget 2025

  68. Oranga Tamariki’s $500 Million Failure: Where Is the Accountability?

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling for urgent accountability at Oranga Tamariki following the release of a scathing Auditor-General’s report exposing systemic failures in procurement and contract management.Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman Tory Relf said:"The Auditor-General has confirmed that Oranga Tamariki is spending over half a billion dollars a year without...

    Read more about Oranga Tamariki’s $500 Million Failure: Where Is the Accountability?

  71. REVEALED: The 14-Year Temp Worker: IRD’s $21 Million Long-Term Consultant Spend Exposed

    The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union can reveal, through an Official Information Act response 12 contractors have been continuously engaged by IRD for more than five years, costing taxpayers a total of $20.8 million over just the past five years.As Nicola Willis prepares to unveil Budget 2025, the Taxpayers’ Union is calling...

    Read more about REVEALED: The 14-Year Temp Worker: IRD’s $21 Million Long-Term Consultant Spend Exposed

  73. Taxpayer Talk: David Baker

    This week Peter Williams is joined by social media sensation, David Baker, from Rapid QS. David is a quantity surveyor by trade, specialising in pricing residential buildings—and has spent the last year blowing the whistle on why so many public housing and infrastructure projects cost so much.But price...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: David Baker

  74. Taxpayer Update: Debt Clock on Campus ⏰ | Pay equity 👩 | What the media's not telling you? 🤫

    As the "Hīkoi" for Balanced Budgets continues rolling through the South Island, our research team has been delving right into Budget 2025 preparations. The Debt Clock goes to Uni 🎓We knew the Debt Clock would turn heads, now it’s earning tutorial time!This week, at Victoria University of Wellington, a tax tutorial...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Debt Clock on Campus ⏰ | Pay equity 👩 | What the media's not telling you? 🤫

  76. ‘Economic Looney-Tunes’ from the Greens’ Alternative Budget

    The Taxpayers’ Union has called out the barrage of new taxes proposed in the Green Party’s alternative Budget presented today.A Spokesman for the Taxpayers’ Union, James Ross, said:“Even Marx would be blushing at this manifesto.”“Taxes for dying, taxes on entrepreneurship, taxes for savings, even higher taxes on nurses’ income. Controlling...

    Read more about ‘Economic Looney-Tunes’ from the Greens’ Alternative Budget

  77. REVEALED: Kiwirail Gravy-Train Has Never Returned a Cent in Dividends

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that KiwiRail has not paid a single dollar in dividends to the government in any year since being designated a State-Owned Enterprise in 2012, with Kiwirail’s own corporate documents confirming the state-owned rail operator returned $0 to the Crown in every year from 2012...

    Read more about REVEALED: Kiwirail Gravy-Train Has Never Returned a Cent in Dividends

  78. Taxpayers’ Union slams Tauranga’s 12 percent rates hike, says rates capping is urgently needed

    The Taxpayers’ Union has today slammed Tauranga City Council for its proposed 12 percent rates increase, saying more needs to be done to protect ratepayers. Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union, said: “Rates capping is desperately needed to rein in reckless council spending—ratepayers are fed up...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union slams Tauranga’s 12 percent rates hike, says rates capping is urgently needed

  79. Taxpayers’ Union Welcomes Judith Collins’ Plan to Scrap Diversity Mandates in Public Service

    The Taxpayers’ Union is today celebrating a significant policy victory following Public Service Minister Judith Collins’ announcement that she intends to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) requirements from the Public Service Act. Appointments would be made on the basis of merit, not identity, bringing the focus back to...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union Welcomes Judith Collins’ Plan to Scrap Diversity Mandates in Public Service

  80. Taxpayers' Union Welcomes Judith Collins' Plan to Scrap Diversity Mandates in Public Service

    The Taxpayers’ Union is today celebrating a significant policy victory following Public Service Minister Judith Collins’ announcement that she intends to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) requirements from the Public Service Act. Appointments would be made on the basis of merit, not identity, bringing the focus back...

    Read more about Taxpayers' Union Welcomes Judith Collins' Plan to Scrap Diversity Mandates in Public Service

  81. Government Borrowing $100 million for High-Risk Gambling

    The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming the Government’s latest foray into corporate welfare, following the announcement that Budget 2025 will include an extra $100 million Government funding for the Elevate NZ Venture Fund.Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman James Ross said:“When will this Government learn the way to grow the economy isn’t just...

    Read more about Government Borrowing $100 million for High-Risk Gambling

  82. Nicola Willis Has Wasted Our Nest Egg - Being Chicken Won’t Change That

    Organisations including the Taxpayers’ Union, Council of Trade Unions, New Zealand Initiative, and BusinessNZ have been banned from Treasury’s Budget lock-up.Commenting, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:“Nicola Willis is spending more than Grant Robertson and borrowing more than $47 million every single day. Burying her head in the...

    Read more about Nicola Willis Has Wasted Our Nest Egg - Being Chicken Won’t Change That

  83. Health NZ’s $2.75m restructure consultant fees just the tip of the iceberg

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is joining the Public Service Association in slamming  Health New Zealand for blowing nearly $2.75 million on consultants  to “manage restructures”. The Taxpayers' Union is calling the latest scandal "just the tip of the iceberg" of the $338 million Health NZ consultant budget this year...

    Read more about Health NZ’s $2.75m restructure consultant fees just the tip of the iceberg

  85. Taxpayer Update: RIP Sir Bob 🕯️ | A sad milestone ⏰ | Warning signs for Govt in new poll 📊

    Hi,It's been a busy week here at the Taxpayers' Union, with Rhys and our interns out on the road continuing the "Hīkoi" for Balanced Budgets, and the research team prepping for the Budget in just a few weeks time. We have the latest Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll (spoiler alert:...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: RIP Sir Bob 🕯️ | A sad milestone ⏰ | Warning signs for Govt in new poll 📊

  86. Taxpayer Talk: Robert MacCulloch

     This week on Taxpayer Talk, free-thinking economics Professor, Robert MacCulloch, walks Peter Williams through how life here in New Zealand could be so much better if our politicians were prepared to show some political courage. Rob also asks why can’t we have a competitive health system like France, and why...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Robert MacCulloch

  87. NEW POLL: Net country direction drops, centre-right could still form a Government.

    NEW POLL: Net country direction drops, centre-right could still form a Government.The latest Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll shows the Government Coalition once again able to form a Government, despite net country direction falling ten points.The poll, conducted between 30 April and 04 May shows National gain 1.1 points on...

    Read more about NEW POLL: Net country direction drops, centre-right could still form a Government.

  88. 'We need rates capping' – Taxpayers’ Union slams Tauranga Council for $200,000 spend on short videos

    Tauranga City Council has come under for fire for spending $200,000 on a series of short videos amidst a 12.5 percent rates increase.Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union, slammed the Council’s spend, saying:“Again and again, we’re seeing completely shameful spending by Tauranga City Council. Ratepayers demand...

    Read more about 'We need rates capping' – Taxpayers’ Union slams Tauranga Council for $200,000 spend on short videos

  89. Trump’s tariff threat should be the final scene for film subsidies

    Responding to reports of President Donald Trump’s proposed 100% tariff on foreign-made films, Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman James Ross said:“Kiwis have forked out over $1 billion in film subsidies in just five years — much of it for big-budget international productions.”“Film handouts have soared from $129 million in 2017 to...

    Read more about Trump’s tariff threat should be the final scene for film subsidies

  93. Tick Tock: Net core crown debt will hit $190 billion tonight. Now more than $93k per household

    As the Taxpayers' Union tours the country on its Hīkoi to Balance the Budget, the Government will hit a nasty fiscal milestone with Net Core Crown Debt passing the $190 billion mark at 8:53PM this evening.Commenting on the financial milestone, Taxpayers' Union spokesman James Ross said:"Nicola Willis is borrowing nearly...

    Read more about Tick Tock: Net core crown debt will hit $190 billion tonight. Now more than $93k per household

  94. Bureaucracy is still booming — taxpayers need a smaller, sharper government

    Bureaucracy is still booming — taxpayers need a smaller, sharper governmentResponding to ACT Leader David Seymour’s comments calling out New Zealand’s bloated executive, Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes, said:“Taxpayers are sick of funding a government that looks more like a political participation programme than a lean, effective executive....

    Read more about Bureaucracy is still booming — taxpayers need a smaller, sharper government

  95. ‘Councils shouldn’t fund activists’ – Rotorua ratepayers on the hook for $93,458 LGNZ membership

    Rotorua Lakes Council has voted to retain its membership with Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) through to 2025/26—while some Councillors raised concerns over political bias within the organisation, and its $93,458 price tag paid for by ratepayers.“Councils are waking up to the fact that LGNZ has become captured by ideologues...

    Read more about ‘Councils shouldn’t fund activists’ – Rotorua ratepayers on the hook for $93,458 LGNZ membership

  96. “Be bold, Minister” – Billions can be saved in Labour’s KiwiSaver subsidies

    Finance Minister Nicola Willis has not ruled out ending Government KiwiSaver subsidies ahead this year’s Budget.“Willis’ Government was elected to make hard decisions—ending Government funded KiwiSaver subsidies is exactly one of them” said Sam Warren, a spokesman for the Taxpayers’ Union.“Make no mistake, the subsidies costs taxpayers hundreds...

    Read more about “Be bold, Minister” – Billions can be saved in Labour’s KiwiSaver subsidies

  97. 'Listen to locals, not councils' – Taxpayers’ Union tells Simon Watts to commit to rates capping legislation

    Local Government Minister Simon Watts has today suggested rates capping laws are still on the table following a proposed 16 percent rates increase by Tauranga City Council.Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union, said:“We’ve been pushing for rates capping laws for years. Used in the...

    Read more about 'Listen to locals, not councils' – Taxpayers’ Union tells Simon Watts to commit to rates capping legislation

  98. Taxpayer Update: When a "cut" is just a slowdown 📰 | The numbers Nicola Willis wants you to see ✅ | And the ones she DOESN'T 😱

    Hi,Thanks again to the hundreds of supporters who have chipped in to get the National Debt Clock back on the road in the form of our "Hīkoi for Balanced Budgets" (we're calling it a Hīkoi so that even 1News will have no option but to cover it! 😉...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: When a "cut" is just a slowdown 📰 | The numbers Nicola Willis wants you to see ✅ | And the ones she DOESN'T 😱

  99. “Another tax” – Taxpayers’ Union demands clarity on Congestion Charging, equivalent RUCs to be cut

    The Land Transport Management (Time of Use Charging) Amendment Bill has drawn criticism from several Tauranga Councillors, objecting that revenue could be invested elsewhere.Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union, said:“Tauranga City Council is hardly a bastion of fiscal leadership—so when even they are blowing...

    Read more about “Another tax” – Taxpayers’ Union demands clarity on Congestion Charging, equivalent RUCs to be cut

  100. Taxpayer Talk: Ruth Richardson

     This week on Taxpayer Talk, Peter Williams sits down with Ruth Richardson, Minister of Finance during the National-Bolger Government, and catalyst of major economic reforms during the 90s.With this year’s Budget only a few weeks away, she proposes some of the major surgery she believes the New Zealand economy...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Ruth Richardson

Sign up here to find out how your tax dollars are really being spent