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  2. 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

  3. 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...

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  5. 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

  6. 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...

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  7. “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

  9. 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

  10. 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’

  12. 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,...

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  14. 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

  15. 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.”

  20. ‘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

  21. 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

  30. $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

  31. 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

  32. 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?

  35. 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

  37. 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...

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  38. 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? 🤫

  40. ‘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...

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  41. 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

  42. 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

  43. 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...

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  44. 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

  45. 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

  46. 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

  47. 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

  49. 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 📊

  50. 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...

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  51. 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.

  52. '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

  53. 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

  57. 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

  58. 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

  59. ‘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

  60. “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

  61. '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

  62. 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 😱

  63. “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

  64. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  79. $5.2 million consultant spend unacceptable as cost blowouts grow

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  84. Taxpayer Talk: Levi Gibbs

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

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Levi Gibbs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  91. Tariffs mean need to announce Full Capital Expensing now

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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