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  4. 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...

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  5. 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...

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  6. 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...

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  8. 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...

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  9. 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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  10. 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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  12. 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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  16. 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...

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  17. 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

  18. 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...

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  19. 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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  20. 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 🗳️

  21. 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...

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  22. 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...

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  24. 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...

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  25. 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...

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  27. 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...

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  30. 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...

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  32. 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...

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  33. 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

  34. 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...

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  35. 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...

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  36. 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...

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  37. 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,...

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  38. 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...

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  41. 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...

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  46. 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...

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  47. 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...

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  48. 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...

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  49. 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...

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  50. 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

  51. 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...

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  52. 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...

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  53. 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...

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  54. 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...

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  55. 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...

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  56. 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...

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  57. 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...

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  59. 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 🍾🍾🍾🤦‍♂️

  60. 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...

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  61. 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...

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  62. 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...

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  63. 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

  66. Taxpayers’ Union calls on Privacy Commissioner to open formal investigation into alleged misuse of census data by John Tamihere entities

    The Taxpayers’ Union has written to the Privacy Commissioner this morning calling on him to launch an investigation into alleged misuse of census data by Auckland’s Manurewa Marae, entities associated with John Tamihere, and Te Pāti Māori.Taxpayers’ Union Spokeperson, Jordan Williams, said:“The allegations made this morning on a...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union calls on Privacy Commissioner to open formal investigation into alleged misuse of census data by John Tamihere entities

  67. Police Commissioner’s job is to enforce the law, not publicly lobby the government to change it

    The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming comments from Police Commissioner Andrew Coster where he appears to be lobbying the government to change alcohol regulations. Taxpayers’ Union Spokesperson, Jordan Williams, said:“Andrew Coster is acting as a constitutional barbarian.  There is a long-held constitutional convention that Police - especially leadership -...

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  68. Four-year council terms must come with right of recall

    Commenting on reports that former National Minister and current Mayor of Nelson, Nick Smith, will chair a group exploring local government electoral system reforms, Taxpayers’ Union Head of Campaigns, Callum Purves, said:“Ratepayers across the country are rightly frustrated by a toxic combination of sky-high rate hikes, wasteful spending and cuts...

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  70. Taxpayer Update: Snap Budget Poll 📊 | National spends more than Labour 💥 | Government must go further and faster ✂️

    Happy King's Birthday weekend!For the team at the Taxpayers' Union, Budget week is always the busiest of the year. This week's Taxpayer Update wraps up our coverage, and (more importantly) asks you, what did you think of Budget 2024?I've had thousands of responses to our initial reaction to Budget 2024...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Snap Budget Poll 📊 | National spends more than Labour 💥 | Government must go further and faster ✂️

  71. Taxpayer Talk: Eric Crampton gives his post-Budget analysis

    This week on our podcast is a special post-Budget analysis with New Zealand Initiative Chief Economist, Eric Crampton.To support Taxpayer Talk, click hereIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, feel free to email [email protected] You can also listen to Taxpayer Talk on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio and all good podcast apps. 

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  72. Taxpayer Talk: Cameron Bagrie Gives His Post-Budget Analysis

    This week on our podcast is a special post-Budget analysis with Bagrie Economics Lead Economist, Cameron Bagrie.To support Taxpayer Talk, click hereIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, feel free to email [email protected] You can also listen to Taxpayer Talk on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio and all good podcast apps. 

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  74. Budget 2024: $2.6 billion down the drain for no climate benefit

    Budget 2024: $2.6 billion down the drain for no climate benefitThe Taxpayers’ Union is slamming today’s continuation of a number of Labour’s climate change initiatives as economically and scientifically illiterate.Taxpayers’ Union Head of Campaigns, Callum Purves, said:“This Government is supposed to be one that understands the Emissions Trading Scheme. Under the...

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  76. Budget 2024: National continue to give taxpayer money to corporate welfare bludgers

    Budget 2024: National continue to give taxpayer money to corporate welfare bludgersThe Taxpayers’ Union is lashing out at the continuation of the Government’s corporate welfase schemes, labelling them ‘socialism for the rich’.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“The $181.161 million to the Hollywood bigwigs and Peter Jackson’s of the world, along...

    Read more about Budget 2024: National continue to give taxpayer money to corporate welfare bludgers

  77. Budget 2024: Debt interest costs soon to be higher than spending on primary schools, secondary schools and the Ministry of Justice combined

    Budget 2024: Debt interest costs soon to be higher than spending on primary schools, secondary schools and the Ministry of Justice combinedThe Taxpayers’ Union is slamming the projected explosion in Government debt over the next 4 years, which will see interest payments amounting to more than $4,622 for every household...

    Read more about Budget 2024: Debt interest costs soon to be higher than spending on primary schools, secondary schools and the Ministry of Justice combined

  79. NEW POLL: Just 9% of New Zealanders think Grant Robertson’s Wellbeing Budget didn’t spend enough

    A new Taxpayers’ Union – Curia poll has revealed that most New Zealanders think that the level of spending in Grant Robertson’s 2019 Wellbeing Budget was about right or too high. Tomorrow’s budget from Nicola Willis should be compared against this as a pre-Covid baseline.Voters were asked: “Grant Robertson’s 2019...

    Read more about NEW POLL: Just 9% of New Zealanders think Grant Robertson’s Wellbeing Budget didn’t spend enough

  80. Taxpayers’ Union lays challenge to Nicola Willis ahead of Budget Day

    As the Minister of Finance prepares to deliver her first budget to the nation this Thursday, the Taxpayers’ Union has issued a challenge to Nicola Willis to keep her promise of delivering effective tax relief to New Zealanders.Attached to a letter to Minister Willis was a collection of responses gathered containing...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union lays challenge to Nicola Willis ahead of Budget Day

  81. Is 40-year-old data is driving key health policy in 2024?

    Opinion piece by Jordan WilliamsCommentators, the Opposition and media went apoplectic when the new Government repealed Labour’s smoking laws.  Despite being years away from having any effect, these policies, somehow, apparently ‘save thousands.’  The worrying innovation of ‘prophecy-based policymaking’.  But the same experts who insist upon ‘evidence’ have...

    Read more about Is 40-year-old data is driving key health policy in 2024?

  82. ACC Chief Executive must lead from the front with savings

    Responding to reports in today’s NZ Herald that ACC chief executive, Megan Main, spent $32,000 of taxpayers’ money on a business class trip to Europe while consulting on nearly 400 job cuts to reduce spending, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“While bureaucrats are losing their jobs, it is tone-deaf for executives...

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  85. Taxpayer Update: At least $49/week 💰 | Luxon, Joyce, & voters support indexation ✅ | Cut cut cut to Stop the Clock ⏰

    Just one week until we see what the new Government is really made of – in the form of Nicola Willis' first budget.While the media have been in a tailspin about a few bureaucrats being moved on, your humble Taxpayers' Union has been making the case for the Government to...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: At least $49/week 💰 | Luxon, Joyce, & voters support indexation ✅ | Cut cut cut to Stop the Clock ⏰

  86. Taxpayer Talk: Eric Crampton on the growth in Government and Structural Deficit

    This week on our podcast is a special Budget edition with our friend from the New Zealand Initiative, Eric Crampton.Eric is the Initiative’s Chief Economist and provides a much welcome voice of reason to counter some the economic illiteracy often espoused by politicians. In this episode, Eric and...

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  89. Nicola Willis must tackle cost of living at next week’s Budget

    Commenting on the Reserve Bank of New Zealand holding the Official Cash Rate (OCR) at 5.5%, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said:“Sky-high interest rates and the soaring price of household essentials continue to punish Kiwi families, and that won’t change until reckless and inflationary...

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  90. Labour must walk the talk and join the campaign against corporate welfare

    Reacting to today’s Budget Speech from Labour’s Finance spokesperson, Barbara Edmonds, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“It is encouraging to see that one of Labour’s stated priorities is to focus on creating ‘a level playing field for small and medium businesses, not preferential treatment for those businesses...

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  92. Wake up call: Government debt hits $90,000 per household today – “$90k Debt Day”

    Based on the latest Treasury forecasts, New Zealand Government debt will tick above $90,000 per household for the first time ever at 10pm today, Sunday 19 May 2024. The Taxpayers’ Union is calling it “$90k Debt Day”.Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross,...

    Read more about Wake up call: Government debt hits $90,000 per household today – “$90k Debt Day”

  93. If the Wellington Mayor’s not going to bother turning up anyway, sell the airport shares

    Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has been revealed to have missed half of all Wellington Airport board meetings in the past year. Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said:“Given the local government crisis Wellington finds itself in, the very least the Mayor should...

    Read more about If the Wellington Mayor’s not going to bother turning up anyway, sell the airport shares

  95. Anything less than $49/week isn’t tax relief, it’s shortchanging New Zealanders

    Reacting to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s pre-budget speech today, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“Christopher Luxon is right to point out that inflation over the last 14 has pushed New Zealanders into higher income tax brackets so that they are paying more of their wages in tax even when they are...

    Read more about Anything less than $49/week isn’t tax relief, it’s shortchanging New Zealanders

  96. Taxpayers’ Union warns against Digital Services Tax

    Responding to the Government’s plans to implement Labour’s proposed Digital Services Tax (DST), Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, warns against the move:“The Government should be cutting wasteful spending, not introducing new taxes that will see New Zealand businesses slapped with devastating retaliatory tariffs as seen in France.“Introducing...

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  97. Comical incompetence as Wellington Council might have to dig up brand new $55 million bus lanes and cycleways

    A memo accidentally released by Wellington City Council shows at least $5.2 million of pipes needing urgent repair have just been covered up by $55 million of brand new bus and cycle lanes on Thorndon Quay.Responding to this, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said:“Residents...

    Read more about Comical incompetence as Wellington Council might have to dig up brand new $55 million bus lanes and cycleways

  98. Luxon must rule out taxpayer funding for “fatally compromised” Christchurch Call

    Responding to the official launch of the Christchurch Call Foundation, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said:“Only last month, the Christchurch Call Advisory Network was slammed for pressuring advisors to stifle reports which were critical of signatory governments. Leading experts called its independence “fatally compromised.”“Internet...

    Read more about Luxon must rule out taxpayer funding for “fatally compromised” Christchurch Call

  99. Wellington residents’ views being misrepresented in Long-Term Plan consultation

    Responding to allegations that the Wellington Long-Term Plan consultation has been falsely marking submitters as supporting certain projects, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said:“True to form, Wellington City Council’s consultation has been a flop. If they’ve been recording residents’ answers incorrectly, then the only...

    Read more about Wellington residents’ views being misrepresented in Long-Term Plan consultation

  100. NEW POLL: Labour up, Greens down but Centre-Right remains ahead

    National is up slightly on last month to 37.3% (+0.2 points) while Labour is up to 30.0% (+4.3 points). The Greens maintain third place with 10.2% (-4.4 points) while ACT gain 2.2 points bringing them to 9.4%The smaller parties are NZ First on 5.5% (-0.8 points) and Te Pāti Māori on 3.1% (-1.5 points). For the minor parties,...

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