News

All news

  1. “Where’s David?” – the fun nationwide search for David Clark

    Observers of politics were shocked this week when the Hon Dr David Clark was reportedly spotted in Wellington. Dr Clark, who during the COVID-19 crisis has provided Acting Minister of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield with long distance intangible moral support from his opulent Dunedin bubble, apparently broke his...

    Read more about “Where’s David?” – the fun nationwide search for David Clark

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

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

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

  6. Campaign launched: Public sector pay cuts for COVID-19 relief

    Today we have launched a new campaign to temporarily reduce the remuneration of politicians, senior bureaucrats, and council bosses to match those voluntary and involuntary efforts in the private sector where pay is being slashed. We’re asking the public sector to fairly share the burden of the economic crunch...

    Read more about Campaign launched: Public sector pay cuts for COVID-19 relief

  7. Taxpayer Talk: Economic relief spending: is it worth the cost?

    Spending of taxpayer money has gone through the roof as the Government helps businesses through the COVID-19 crisis. How concerned should New Zealanders be? And how does our response compare to other countries? Louis interviews local Economist Joe Ascroft and Daniel Bunn of the Tax Foundation (based in Washington DC)...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Economic relief spending: is it worth the cost?

  8. Statement on COVID-19 Wage Subsidy

    As confirmed by the Government today, the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union is one of the many employers that have accepted the COVID-19 Wage Subsidy. This decision was made on the basis of our ethical obligations to staff during the government-mandated economic shutdown.The decision to accept this subsidy was not...

    Read more about Statement on COVID-19 Wage Subsidy

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

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

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

  12. Pandemic response: Campaign for nationwide rates freeze launched

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

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

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

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

    Read more about Exclusive: Ministry of Health hasn't asked where staff have traveled

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

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

    Read more about COVID-19: Taxpayers’ Union release recommendations for New Zealand’s immediate economic response

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

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

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

  17. Revealed: Former Quitline operators hoard millions in taxpayer funds

    The Taxpayers' Union can reveal that The Quit Group – the charity originally commissioned to run Quitline – continue to hold $2.8 million in taxpayer funds, despite having lost their government contract in 2015.The Quit Group promised to hand the funds over to anti-smoking initiatives. They have failed...

    Read more about Revealed: Former Quitline operators hoard millions in taxpayer funds

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

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

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

  21. Taxpayers’ Union submits design proposal for Beehive artwork

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has formally submitted its design proposal for a 3.5-metre artwork in the Beehive entrance, pictured below.The Union will refuse the $15,000 commission fee should its submission be chosen.Perfectly placed to greet MPs and Ministers arriving for work, Don’t Waste It serves as a...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union submits design proposal for Beehive artwork

  22. Christchurch City Council Hands Out $96,000 in Goody Bag Perks

    The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union can reveal that the Christchurch City Council spent $96,459 on induction perks for new and returning councillors and community board members following the 2019 local election.One of the items included in the goody bags was a brand-new $2,407 Dell tablet. Councillors could choose to swap...

    Read more about Christchurch City Council Hands Out $96,000 in Goody Bag Perks

  26. Rubbish tax is set to cost families – and the environment

    This op-ed is written by Louis Houlbrooke, Communications Officer at the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union.The wistful days of Jacinda Ardern’s “no new taxes” pledge are long gone.Last week, Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage proposed lifting landfill levies from the current $10 per tonne to $60 per tonne by...

    Read more about Rubbish tax is set to cost families – and the environment

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

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

    Read more about Wellington City Council’s “living wage” badge is a waste of money

  29. Op-ed: For the centre-right to win elections, they have to turn up

    The following op-ed is written by Taxpayers' Union Executive Director Jordan Williams and is also available on the NZ Herald website (Premium) here.Conventional wisdom says oppositions don't win elections – those in power lose them.So much for conventional wisdom. If ever someone in power had set themselves up...

    Read more about Op-ed: For the centre-right to win elections, they have to turn up

  30. Mike Tana should pay the money back

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling on former Porirua Mayor Mike Tana to repay money clocked up on his ratepayer-funded fuel card for personal travel.The Ernst and Young report released yesterday reveals that, within less than three months, former Porirua Mayor Mike Tana used his ratepayer-funded fuel...

    Read more about Mike Tana should pay the money back

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

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

    Read more about Revealed: ‘Indigenous procurement' proposal will punish taxpayers

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

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

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

  33. 2019 Jonesie Awards celebrate the worst of government waste

    Today at Parliament, the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union hosted the 2019 Jonesie Awards, an Oscars-style ceremony celebrating the best of the worst of government waste.The Jonesie Awards are our annual celebration and lamentation of the weird and wackiest ways taxpayer money has been wasted in the last 12 months.The Jonesie...

    Read more about 2019 Jonesie Awards celebrate the worst of government waste

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

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

    Read more about Revealed: New Zealand's army of ratepayer-funded council staff

  35. 2019 Ratepayers’ Report released, methodology explained

    The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union, in partnership with the Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance, has today published this year's Ratepayers' Report  – online local government league tables – at www.ratepayersreport.nz.With these league tables, New Zealanders can easily compare their local council performance and financial position for 2017/18 against similar-sized councils and types.Setting out more than two thousand data points,...

    Read more about 2019 Ratepayers’ Report released, methodology explained

  36. CRUSTACEAN CONTROVERSY: Council spends $6,000 on man in crayfish suit

    After putting some feelers out, the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that Wellington regional ratepayers have paid almost $6,000 for “Frank the Crayfish”, a man in an elaborate crayfish suit who scolds ratepayers for their environmental habits. Frank stars in Greater Wellington Regional Council’s ‘quirky’ environmental ads, currently warning against...

    Read more about CRUSTACEAN CONTROVERSY: Council spends $6,000 on man in crayfish suit

  37. Op-ed: KiwiBuild reset plan ominously similar to 2008 American housing chaos

    The following op-ed is written by Taxpayers' Union Economist Joe Ascroft.On Wednesday, the Government finally announced its KiwiBuild reset. The target of 100,000 homes over ten years has been scrapped and replaced in part by a $400 million “Progressive Homeownership Scheme”, which would distribute additional deposit subsidies for...

    Read more about Op-ed: KiwiBuild reset plan ominously similar to 2008 American housing chaos

  38. Revealed: Taxpayers shell out $15,000 for left-wing lobby group

    The Government has used taxpayer money to hire its left-wing mates as the Friendship Police, reveals the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union. In May 2019, Netsafe granted $15,000 in taxpayer funding to left-wing campaign group ActionStation, according to information obtained under the Official Information Act.The payment breaches Netsafe’s commitment not to fund political...

    Read more about Revealed: Taxpayers shell out $15,000 for left-wing lobby group

  39. Zero Carbon Bill Submission

    Earlier today our economist Joe Ascroft submitted in person to the Environment Select Committee on the Zero Carbon Bill. The Bill sets out expectations for reducing New Zealand's emissions profile as part of a global effort to limit climate change. Joe spoke to our written submission, which is available here. Our...

    Read more about Zero Carbon Bill Submission

  40. Revealed: Adverse drug reactions cost taxpayers quarter of a billion

    Between 2015/16 and 2017/18, DHBs spent $280 million treating patients due to adverse drug reactions, reveals the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union in its final health productivity briefing paper. It’s seriously concerning that taxpayers spent $280 million in three years dealing with botched prescriptions and incorrect use of medication....

    Read more about Revealed: Adverse drug reactions cost taxpayers quarter of a billion

  41. Advice on clean car scheme is seriously flawed – policy must be put on hold

    In a submission to the Ministry of Transport, the Taxpayers’ Union reveals that the cost-benefit analysis prepared by Ministry of Transport and used to advise Ministers on the Government’s Clean Car Standard and ‘Feebate’ policies has serious flaws which undermine justifications for the policies. More than 90 percent of...

    Read more about Advice on clean car scheme is seriously flawed – policy must be put on hold

  42. Revealed: $20 million of redundancy payments dragging down health sector

    In a new briefing paper, the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that in the period 2013/14 through 2017/18, DHBs spent $20.37 million on redundancy payments. Some redundancy payments are inevitable, but spending an average of $26,800 on 758 payments is a poor use of money. DHBs should...

    Read more about Revealed: $20 million of redundancy payments dragging down health sector

  44. Revealed: Missed specialist appointments cost taxpayers $29 million

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is asking DHBs to charge patients who miss specialist appointments, in light of new figures that show missed specialist appointments cost taxpayers $29 million in FY 2016/17.District Health Boards need to become more efficient if we expect to keep healthcare costs manageable in...

    Read more about Revealed: Missed specialist appointments cost taxpayers $29 million

  46. Revealed: The mystery of Invercargill City Council's missing Chinese yuan

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling on the CEO of Invercargill City Council to take responsibility for untraceable cash spending that occurred on a trip to China.In late 2017, four Invercargill City Councillors visited the sister city of Suqan, China. The CEO withdrew $3,000NZD worth of Chinese yuan...

    Read more about Revealed: The mystery of Invercargill City Council's missing Chinese yuan

  47. Revealed: The $133,000 pricetag for the glossy Wellbeing Budget

    The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union can reveal that the Government spent $133,530 on producing its ‘Wellbeing Budget’ document, a cost blowout largely driven by spending on graphic design and photography.The $133,530 price tag compares to $86,268 for the 2017 Budget – an increase of 54.8%.The Government spent $31,682 on...

    Read more about Revealed: The $133,000 pricetag for the glossy Wellbeing Budget

  48. Revealed: Wellington City Council’s $20,000 bike light investigation

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has identified an absurd case of mission creep at Wellington City Council: the decision to spend $21,750 on two Consumer NZ investigations into different brands of bike lights. Information released to the Union reveals that Wellington City Council initially paid Consumer NZ $10,600...

    Read more about Revealed: Wellington City Council’s $20,000 bike light investigation

  49. Revealed: New Plymouth District Council’s eye-watering flight expenses

    Update: New Plymouth District Council has corrected information it gave the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union regarding ratepayer-funded flight expenses in 2017/18.A Council spokesperson states:Former Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre director’s Simon Rees’ overseas travel was not ratepayer funded.  Supplied information should not have included three overseas trips by...

    Read more about Revealed: New Plymouth District Council’s eye-watering flight expenses

  52. Porirua’s Canadian art exchange typifies wasteful travel

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is questioning Porirua City Council’s decision to spend $9,218 on flights to Canada for an ‘indigenous art exchange’.The spending details have been released as part of a Taxpayers’ Union investigation into 2017/18 travel expenses at councils across the country.It’s ridiculous for Porirua City...

    Read more about Porirua’s Canadian art exchange typifies wasteful travel

  53. Despite “climate emergency”, Dunedin City Council is third-highest spender on air travel

    Using figures obtained under the Local Government Information Act, the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that Dunedin City Council was the country’s third-highest spending council in terms of air travel in the last financial year.The Council spent $347,885 on air travel in 2017/18 – $214,067 of which...

    Read more about Despite “climate emergency”, Dunedin City Council is third-highest spender on air travel

  54. Revealed: Wellington City Council’s climate hypocrisy

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that, despite plans to declare a ‘climate emergency’, Wellington City Council spent a massive $623,296 on air travel in the previous financial year.This makes Wellington City the country’s second highest-spending council behind Auckland City ($1,221,571). Notably, Wellington City’s air travel spending...

    Read more about Revealed: Wellington City Council’s climate hypocrisy

  56. From the Budget lock-up: traditional big spend Labour budget

    Dear Supporter,Our team has just returned from the Beehive, where we attended the media and analysts' lock-up event for the Government’s new “Wellbeing Budget”. This year’s Budget was accompanied by some level of turmoil, with leaks, alleged hacks, and a (very brief) police investigation all entering the headlines...

    Read more about From the Budget lock-up: traditional big spend Labour budget

  58. REVEALED: Nelson Mayor fighting climate change one Copenhagen trip at a time

    The Mayor of Nelson’s genuine concern for climate change is being questioned, with the Taxpayers’ Union revealing the Mayor flew to Copenhagen for a luxury trip primarily to view a yet-to-be-open climate change museum.An official information response shows that Mayor Rachel Reese spent four nights at a luxury...

    Read more about REVEALED: Nelson Mayor fighting climate change one Copenhagen trip at a time

  59. Revealed: Waikato Regional Council spends $9,000 on electronic video Christmas cards

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that Waikato Regional Council last year sent out 177 electronic Christmas cards to political insiders – at cost of $9,341*, or $53 per card. The Union was tipped off about the cards by one of the recipients, who was concerned about the...

    Read more about Revealed: Waikato Regional Council spends $9,000 on electronic video Christmas cards

  61. We Axed this Tax!

    Wow!Louis and I have just returned to the office from the Beehive, where we watched as Jacinda Ardern announced she has completely and totally ruled out a capital gains tax under her leadership.This wasn't easy for the Prime Minister. She literally told the media she wanted Michael Cullen's...

    Read more about We Axed this Tax!

  62. Major campaign launched to beat unfair capital gains tax

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union today formally launches a major campaign to fight the unfair capital gains tax, proposed by Dr Michael Cullen’s Tax Working Group.The Union is encouraging New Zealanders to go to axethistax.nz and use the email tool to tell Jacinda Ardern and Winston Peters how the tax will hit their family.Taxpayers’...

    Read more about Major campaign launched to beat unfair capital gains tax

  64. Revealed: Central Otago District Council's $40,000 fashion collection locked away

    Information released to the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union reveals that just 12 per cent of a $40,000 fashion collection owned by the Central Otago District Council has ever been on display, with the exhibited items only being displayed 14 per cent of the time (269 days) since the...

    Read more about Revealed: Central Otago District Council's $40,000 fashion collection locked away

  65. Op-Ed: Politicians give to Māori with one hand, but take with the other

    This month’s Waitangi festivities were marked with a string of Government funding announcements, totaling hundreds of millions for development projects intended to make life better for Māori.Some of these projects will achieve their goals. Others will just line the pockets of the politically-connected. But in every instance, these...

    Read more about Op-Ed: Politicians give to Māori with one hand, but take with the other

  66. Report: Māori punished with world's highest rate of tobacco excise

    With tobacco excise slamming the country’s most vulnerable communities, the Government needs to urgently deregulate reduced-harm products, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union upon the release of its new report, Ka Tukuna Atu, Ka Tukuna Mai.Key findings:1) The Government annually takes $120 million more from Māori via tobacco excise than it...

    Read more about Report: Māori punished with world's highest rate of tobacco excise

  71. EXPOSED: Palmerston North deal with Toyota costs ratepayers $391,000

    The Taxpayers' Union is exposing that the Palmerston North City Council has given an economic grant to Toyota – one of the world’s largest car manufactures - for a local warehouse expansion, costing local ratepayers $391,000.It’s great to see a business investing in Palmerston North, but they should do...

    Read more about EXPOSED: Palmerston North deal with Toyota costs ratepayers $391,000

  73. REVEALED: Taxpayer dosh paid to Ministerial spouse’s firm – with no open tender

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that in the last year the Government has paid $356,466.61 to the consultancy firm of Peter Nunns – the partner of Associate Transport Julie Anne-Genter – without a single open tender process.The firm in question is MRCagney – for which Mr...

    Read more about REVEALED: Taxpayer dosh paid to Ministerial spouse’s firm – with no open tender

  74. Op-ed: Leave the Super Fund alone

    When Sir Michael Cullen’s Super Fund was established, its explicit purpose was to help ensure that superannuation would remain fiscally sustainable long into the future while the population ages.It’s an expensive scheme. The Government has devoted $15.45 billion to the Fund since inception, approximately $8,935 per household in...

    Read more about Op-ed: Leave the Super Fund alone

  75. Cancel the hui, cut off the koha

    The budget blowout for Kelvin Davis’ Māori-Crown Relations engagement meetings shows the danger of taxpayer-funded ‘hui’ and koha payments. Calling a meeting a ‘hui’ shouldn’t be an excuse for lavish catering and bureaucratic extravagance. Besides, the fact Kelvin Davis had to hold 33 meetings to figure out what his new job...

    Read more about Cancel the hui, cut off the koha

  76. New report: The Bitter Truth

    The Taxpayers' Union's new report The Bitter Truth: Why don't sugar taxes work?  focuses on the regressive economic effects of sugar taxes and responds to the central claim from public health lobbyists that sugar taxes will improve health outcomes. Whatever the good intentions the evidence shows that unfortunately sugar...

    Read more about New report: The Bitter Truth

  77. Guest Post: Larry Mitchell on Auckland Council examples of getting it wrong

    The previous guest posts I have discussed the ills of Auckland Council focussing upon their wasteful and inefficient approach to the control of their costs. I, along with many commentators believe that Auckland Council's costs are totally out of control.One of the key reasons they are out of control...

    Read more about Guest Post: Larry Mitchell on Auckland Council examples of getting it wrong

  78. Shadbolt knocked off perch: new winner in race to buy most expensive vehicle in local government

    The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that Horizons Regional Council Chairman Bruce Gordon cost ratepayers $97,000 with the most expensive vehicle for a local government elected representative – a swanky BMW X4.The Union asked every council in the country for expenses associated with their vehicles. The full spreadsheet of...

    Read more about Shadbolt knocked off perch: new winner in race to buy most expensive vehicle in local government

  79. Revealed: The most extravagant mayoral vehicles

    Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt drives the most expensive ratepayer-funded mayoral vehicle in the country, the New Zealand Taxpayers Union can reveal. The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has asked every council in the country for expenses associated with their mayoral vehicles. The full spreadsheet of expenses is available here.Invercargill District Council topped the chart for...

    Read more about Revealed: The most extravagant mayoral vehicles

  80. Taxpayers’ Union launch report at Parliament with inaugural "Jonesie Waste Awards"

    Today at Parliament the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union presented the inaugural Jonesie Waste Awards, recognising the best of the worst in government waste revealed in the last 12 months.The full details of the 2018 Jonesies are available as a report, which was launched at the awards ceremony (see below).The Jonesies...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union launch report at Parliament with inaugural "Jonesie Waste Awards"

  82. Statement on Taxpayers' Union official information requests

    Below is the statement we provided to the NZ Herald in the lead up to publication of this article.The Taxpayers’ Union is a heavy user of the Official Information Act, comparable to media organisations such as the New Zealand Herald.The vast majority of public sector organisations respond to Taxpayers’ Union information...

    Read more about Statement on Taxpayers' Union official information requests

  83. Canterbury catering costs revealed: Christchurch City Council spends $51,000 on milk

    Christchurch City Council spent $350,208 on entertainment, gifts, and catering in 2017 – including $51,572 on milk, reveals the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union.This makes Christchurch City the council with the highest level of ‘indulgence spending’ in New Zealand (aside from Auckland Council, who say they are unable to...

    Read more about Canterbury catering costs revealed: Christchurch City Council spends $51,000 on milk

  84. VIDEO: Porky protests the taxpayer-funded bonus for union members

    On Tuesday, the Taxpayers' Union team visited the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment offices to see if staff are willing to take the new taxpayer-funded $500 bonus for joining the Public Service Association – a union that helps the Labour Party during election campaigns.Sign the petition against this rort...

    Read more about VIDEO: Porky protests the taxpayer-funded bonus for union members

  85. EXCLUSIVE: Labour-led Government give taxpayer-funded bonus to union mates

    The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is using taxpayer money to bribe workers into joining the Public Service Association. The following email was circulated to all MBIE staff and has been passed on to the Taxpayers’ Union. It reveals that, as a result of recent pay...

    Read more about EXCLUSIVE: Labour-led Government give taxpayer-funded bonus to union mates

  86. 2018 Ratepayers' Report published

    The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union, in partnership with the Auckland Ratepayers Alliance, have today published this year's Ratepayers' Report  – online local government league tables – at www.ratepayersreport.nz. With these league tables, New Zealanders can easily compare their local council performance and financial position against similarly sized councils and types.By setting out more than two thousand data points,...

    Read more about 2018 Ratepayers' Report published

  90. Hastings District Councillors must all be skipping breakfast

    As reported in the Hawke's Bay Today, a New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union analysis of catering costs at Hawke's Bay councils has revealed Hastings District Councillors to be guilty of ratepayer-funded gluttony.  Hastings District Council spent $50,375.88 on catering for its elected members in 2017 – or about $1,000 a week.  Across all of...

    Read more about Hastings District Councillors must all be skipping breakfast

  91. Christchurch City Council buckles: releases $1.2m “touch wall” spending

    After being faced with legal action from the Taxpayers’ Union (and potentially the Attorney General), Christchurch City Council has buckled and confirmed the amount spent on its seven-metre ‘touch wall’ – $1.245 million.This was an eleventh-hour backdown from the Council. We literally had the affidavit signed, papers prepared, and were ten minutes...

    Read more about Christchurch City Council buckles: releases $1.2m “touch wall” spending

  92. Taxpayers' Union welcomes Ombudsman judgment against Christchurch City Council

    The Ombudsman has invited the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union to bring enforcement proceedings to the High Court over Christchurch City Council’s failure to release the spending figure for the seven metre ‘touch wall’ in its new library. He has also asked the Attorney General to consider doing the...

    Read more about Taxpayers' Union welcomes Ombudsman judgment against Christchurch City Council

  93. Taxpayers’ Union welcomes Rex Nicholls to Board of Directors

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is pleased to announce that former Wellington City Councillor Rex Nicholls has joined the organisation's board of directors. Rex’s background is in engineering, project management, and property investment. His mix of civic and private achievements place him perfectly as an ambassador for taxpayers.Rex says:“I’ve...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union welcomes Rex Nicholls to Board of Directors

  96. Winston is in!

    With Jacinda Ardern now on maternity leave, Winston Peters has finally grasped the wheel of power.However, Mr Peters has had significant control over spending since the Government was formed late last year. Since then, Winston has negotiated for an array of projects, policies, and prizes for him and...

    Read more about Winston is in!

  99. Amazon’s exit from Australia a warning for NZ – Australian taxpayer advocate

    Amazon’s decision to pull out of Australia in response to a new online shopping tax shows the peril of the New Zealand Government’s plan to introduce its own ‘Amazon tax’, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union, in conjunction with its sister organisation the Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance. Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance Director of Policy Satya Marar...

    Read more about Amazon’s exit from Australia a warning for NZ – Australian taxpayer advocate

  100. Winston's Dowry

    In the coming weeks, we will be launching a new project: Winston's Dowry. Marriage can be expensive, but normally the guests aren't given a bill at the end of the ceremony. In a political marriage, the cost of attendance can be significant. The aim of Winston's Dowry is to calculate the...

    Read more about Winston's Dowry

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