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  1. Bribe-O-Meter Week 9: Labour manifesto adds $1.2 billion unfunded benefits blunder; Greens and Opportunity finish as biggest spenders

    The surprises keep coming in the final Bribe-O-Meter of the 2026 campaign, with Labour's manifesto adding more than $1.2 billion to its spending promises. This takes their total to $35.45 billion, or $17,109 per household.The biggest addition is a promise to raise benefits by the higher of inflation...

    Read more about Bribe-O-Meter Week 9: Labour manifesto adds $1.2 billion unfunded benefits blunder; Greens and Opportunity finish as biggest spenders

  2. REVEALED: South Taranaki’s $1.43 Million Walkway Makeover While Council Runs a Deficit

    The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal South Taranaki District Council is spending $1.43 million (GST inclusive) upgrading Stark Park in Eltham, despite ending the 2025/26 financial year with a $440,000 deficit while neighbouring Stratford District Council recorded a net operating surplus of $3.4 million.Taxpayers’ Union Investigative Lead, Rhys Hurley,...

    Read more about REVEALED: South Taranaki’s $1.43 Million Walkway Makeover While Council Runs a Deficit

  3. Nelson Council’s $88m slap in the face for ratepayers

    Nelson City Council has chosen the most expensive Civic Hub option – an $88 million new build on Church Street – despite overwhelming public opposition.Taxpayers’ Union spokeswomen Tyler Groenewald said:“Mayor Nick Smith is right to call this a ‘one-fingered salute’ to the public. Ratepayers spoke clearly, yet councillors ignored them...

    Read more about Nelson Council’s $88m slap in the face for ratepayers

  4. Taxpayer Update: Labour's $1.2b fiscal hole 💸| Our latest TV advert 📺 | Even more taxpayer funded gardening leave ✈️

    Hi,Just two sleeps until the political silly season comes to an end and most of the political parties have used this week to publish their final 'manifestos'. But unlike our friends in the media, we actually read them! 🤨This week James and his team discovered a massive $1.2...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Labour's $1.2b fiscal hole 💸| Our latest TV advert 📺 | Even more taxpayer funded gardening leave ✈️

  5. NEW POLL: Hung Parliament as only half a percent separates National and Labour; net country direction jumps to 19 month high

    The Centre-Left and Centre-Right blocs are tied on 60 seats a piece in the final Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll before the general election, meaning there would be a hung Parliament.National is up 0.4 points to 28.9 percent, while Labour is up 0.2 points to 28.4 percent. The Greens gain...

    Read more about NEW POLL: Hung Parliament as only half a percent separates National and Labour; net country direction jumps to 19 month high

  6. Taxpayer Talk: ACT’s James Christmas on Treaty Politics and the Fight for Tāmaki

    Why did a former National Party insider jump ship to ACT? With the election fast approaching, ACT's Tāmaki candidate James Christmas joins Peter Williams to discuss his battle to hold Brooke van Velden's former electorate, the growing debate over tactical voting, and why he believes National has become...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: ACT’s James Christmas on Treaty Politics and the Fight for Tāmaki

  8. Local government reform missing from election debate as ratepayers face mounting bills

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling for local government reform to feature in the final days of the election campaign, releasing The Ratepayers’ Guide to Election 2026: Where do the parties stand on Local Government?Taxpayers’ Union Senior Policy Analyst Josh Van Veen said:“Our test is straightforward: cap rates, fees...

    Read more about Local government reform missing from election debate as ratepayers face mounting bills

  9. Big promises, expensive failures: new ad puts Labour’s delivery record in the spotlight

    The Taxpayers’ Union has released a new advertisement in its We Can’t Afford Labour campaign, highlighting the gap between Labour’s promises and what taxpayers got for their money.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“Labour wants voters to believe its latest promises, but we’ve heard the sales pitch before. A...

    Read more about Big promises, expensive failures: new ad puts Labour’s delivery record in the spotlight

  10. ASA rejects all complaints over Chris Hipkins’ CGT ‘money grab’ ad

    The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming the Advertising Standards Authority’s rejection of all complaints about its AI-generated Chris Hipkins capital gains tax advertisement, saying the decision leaves Labour’s unfair taxation of inflation firmly in the spotlight.The advertisement depicts an exaggerated, fictional Hipkins taking wallets and money from households to...

    Read more about ASA rejects all complaints over Chris Hipkins’ CGT ‘money grab’ ad

  11. Benefits blunder in Labour manifesto exposes another $1.2 billion hole in fiscal plan

    Labour’s manifesto promises to raise benefits by inflation or average wage growth, whichever is higher. However, the pledge is missing from the party's 'fully costed and fully funded' fiscal plan.The Taxpayers’ Union calculates that reversing the Coalition’s decision to index main benefits to inflation would cost an additional...

    Read more about Benefits blunder in Labour manifesto exposes another $1.2 billion hole in fiscal plan

  12. Benefits blunder in Labour manifesto exposes another $1.2 billion hole in fiscal plan

    Labour’s manifesto promises to raise benefits by inflation or average wage growth, whichever is higher. However, the pledge is missing from the party's 'fully costed and fully funded' fiscal plan.The Taxpayers’ Union calculates that reversing the Coalition’s decision to index main benefits to inflation would cost an additional...

    Read more about Benefits blunder in Labour manifesto exposes another $1.2 billion hole in fiscal plan

  13. Taxpayer Update: Army spends $3,600 to shuffle meeting room flags 🚩 | Greens' missing $176bn 💸 | 13 years of causing trouble 🎂

    📌 View Online | 🚀 Share on Facebook Hi,It's now the home stretch election-wise with our final electorate debate and poll in Tāmaki (where ACT's James Christmas is up against National's Mahesh Muralidhar to take over from Brooke van Velden) on Tuesday.Next week too, we'll be releasing the last Taxpayers' Union-Curia...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Army spends $3,600 to shuffle meeting room flags 🚩 | Greens' missing $176bn 💸 | 13 years of causing trouble 🎂

  14. Bribe-O-Meter Week 8: NZ First nearly doubles its spending in a week to $45,000 per household; Greens’ fantasy plan adds another $8,900 per household

    Voting is now open, but that hasn't slowed the spend-up in Week 8 of the Bribe-O-Meter. New Zealand First are the big movers this week, adding 80 percent to their already significant spending tally.Their defence policy paper promises a pathway to lift defence spending to 3 percent of GDP...

    Read more about Bribe-O-Meter Week 8: NZ First nearly doubles its spending in a week to $45,000 per household; Greens’ fantasy plan adds another $8,900 per household

  15. Greens’ wealth tax was always the thin end of the wedge

    The Taxpayers’ Union says Chlöe Swarbrick’s admission that she wants to lower the Greens’ $10 million wealth tax threshold confirms what taxpayers knew all along.Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman Austin Ellingham-Banks said“The Greens have now said the quiet part out loud, but it didn’t take Chlöe Swarbrick admitting they’d lower...

    Read more about Greens’ wealth tax was always the thin end of the wedge

  16. Labour Party Transparency? Yeah Right

    The Taxpayers’ Union is questioning Labour's commitment to transparency after its 2026 election manifesto points to considering Official Information Act recommendations, despite Chris Hipkins previously backing extending the Act to Parliament.Taxpayers’ Union Investigative Lead, Rhys Hurley, said:“Just two weeks ago, Chris Hipkins told voters he supported extending the OIA to...

    Read more about Labour Party Transparency? Yeah Right

  20. Greens and Te Pāti Māori Should Listen to Their Own Voters on Rates Cap

    The Greens and Te Pāti Māori are out of touch with their own supporters on a rates cap, with new Vote Compass analysis showing voters for both parties favour limits on annual rates hikes, despite their parties opposing them.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tyler Groenewald said:"A rates cap would deliver genuine...

    Read more about Greens and Te Pāti Māori Should Listen to Their Own Voters on Rates Cap

  23. New Plymouth District Council payroll growing nearly twice as fast as headcount

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on New Plymouth District Council to rein in spending after the Council’s payroll grew nearly twice as fast as its headcount.Taxpayers’ Union local government spokesman Josh Van Veen said:"The Council’s draft Annual Report shows salaries, wages and related entitlements increased 5.5 percent to $64.6 million,...

    Read more about New Plymouth District Council payroll growing nearly twice as fast as headcount

  24. Labour’s education failures take centre stage in latest campaign ad

    The Taxpayers’ Union has released the latest advertisement in its We Can’t Afford Labour campaign, turning the spotlight on Chris Hipkins’ record as Education Minister.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“Chris Hipkins wants another turn running the country, but his record running our education system should give parents pause. He scrapped...

    Read more about Labour’s education failures take centre stage in latest campaign ad

  25. Taxpayer Update: $1.84m to shrink an office 🏢 | Hipkins’ gang funding memory lapse 🤕 | Greens hit $254 billion 💸

    Dear Friend,I hope you're having a great long weekend. I'm just back from Hawke's Bay, where we've been meeting supporters at the A&P Show with the Debt Clock after our Tukituki electorate poll and candidate debate.Unlike Mystery Creek Fieldays, Labour actually turned up! And someone at the local A&P...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: $1.84m to shrink an office 🏢 | Hipkins’ gang funding memory lapse 🤕 | Greens hit $254 billion 💸

  26. Taxpayer Update: $1.84m to shrink an office 🏢 | Hipkins’ gang funding memory lapse 🤕 | Greens hit $254 billion 💸

    Dear Supporter,I hope you're having a great long weekend. I'm just back from Hawke's Bay, where we've been meeting supporters at the A&P Show with the Debt Clock after our Tukituki electorate poll and candidate debate.Unlike Mystery Creek Fieldays, Labour actually turned up! And someone at the local A&P...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: $1.84m to shrink an office 🏢 | Hipkins’ gang funding memory lapse 🤕 | Greens hit $254 billion 💸

  27. Labour must explain how pre-election BBQ will be kept free of campaigning

    The Taxpayers’ Union is questioning how Labour List MP Dan Rosewarne will keep his free community BBQ in Rangiora this Saturday free of campaigning, just two days before voting opens.The Labour-branded flyer was also funded by Parliamentary Service.Taxpayers’ Union spokesman, Rhys Hurley, said:“Are we really expected to believe...

    Read more about Labour must explain how pre-election BBQ will be kept free of campaigning

  28. New Zealand First right on investment, wrong on picking winners

    Responding to New Zealand First’s proposal for 50 percent accelerated depreciation for manufacturing and export industries, Taxpayers’ Union Head of Policy James Ross said:“New Zealand First have clocked the right problem. Weak business investment and anaemic labour productivity growth are a lead weight holding back New Zealand’s economy.”“Credit...

    Read more about New Zealand First right on investment, wrong on picking winners

  29. FACT CHECK: Full list of everything missing from Greens’ fiscal plan

    The Taxpayers’ Union notes at least 17 announcements from within the last four months which are missing from the Greens' fiscal plan, despite the Greens describing themselves as “the party of real economic responsibility.These 17 policies total $176.374 billion, or $85,122 per household.  PolicyDate announced4-year costing ($m)ACC extension...

    Read more about FACT CHECK: Full list of everything missing from Greens’ fiscal plan

  30. Taxpayer Talk: Craig Stobo on NZ First's Plans to Shake Up Banks, Supermarkets and Power

    Should the Government buy back the BNZ, break up the supermarket giants, and overhaul New Zealand's electricity market? Former Financial Markets Authority chair and New Zealand First candidate Craig Stobo joins Peter Williams to put some of the party's biggest economic promises under the microscope.With decades of experience...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Craig Stobo on NZ First's Plans to Shake Up Banks, Supermarkets and Power

  31. Bribe-O-Meter Week 7: 90 cents in every dollar of Greens’ $122,528-per-household spend-up is unfunded.

    The Greens blow through a quarter of a trillion dollars in new spending promises by week 7 of the Bribe-O-Meter, reaching $122,528 per household. Their planned tax revenue increase covers less than a tenth of that. The Greens’ new spending promises now total $253.88 billion over four years....

    Read more about Bribe-O-Meter Week 7: 90 cents in every dollar of Greens’ $122,528-per-household spend-up is unfunded.

  33. Taxpayer Talk: Michael Laws on NZ First's Comeback and National's Election Troubles

    Is National about to throw away the election? Former MP and New Zealand First candidate Michael Laws joins Peter Williams for a fiery discussion on why he believes National's refusal to embrace tactical voting could hand power to Labour and its allies.But there's plenty more on the table....

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Michael Laws on NZ First's Comeback and National's Election Troubles

  35. Hipkins must clear up Edmonds’ CGT claim before voting opens

    Ahead of tonight’s leaders’ debate, the Taxpayers’ Union is calling on Chris Hipkins to correct his finance spokesperson’s claim that Labour’s capital gains tax would not tax inflation, with advance voting opening on Monday.Taxpayers’ Union Spokesperson Austin Ellingham-Banks said:“Six days ago, Barbara Edmonds told voters Labour’s capital gains...

    Read more about Hipkins must clear up Edmonds’ CGT claim before voting opens

  37. Hipkins must come clean on turning down decision to end gang funding

    Labour leader Chris Hipkins’ claim today that the decision to continue taxpayer funding of gangs “never reached Cabinet” is contradicted by his own Cabinet’s rejection of Justice Minister Kiri Allen's proposal to stop the funding in July 2023, while he was Prime Minister, the Taxpayers' Union can reveal.Taxpayers’...

    Read more about Hipkins must come clean on turning down decision to end gang funding

  38. Taxpayer Talk: Andrew Bayly on Superannuation, Spending, and Life After Politics

    As he prepares to leave Parliament after 12 years, former Minister Andrew Bayly joins Peter Williams for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of New Zealand’s finances, the future of superannuation, and the reforms he believes the Government still needs to tackle.From cutting government waste and tackling soaring...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Andrew Bayly on Superannuation, Spending, and Life After Politics

  41. Labour’s uncosted redress promise could leave $1.03 billion hole in fiscal plan

    Documents obtained under the Official Information Act have revealed another hole in Labour’s fiscal plan, following the Taxpayers’ Union’s exposure of a $90 million accounting blunder earlier this month.Labour’s social development spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime has repeatedly committed to establishing an independent redress system for survivors of abuse in...

    Read more about Labour’s uncosted redress promise could leave $1.03 billion hole in fiscal plan

  42. Labour’s uncosted redress promise could leave $1.03 billion hole in fiscal plan

    Documents obtained under the Official Information Act have revealed another hole in Labour’s fiscal plan, following the Taxpayers’ Union’s exposure of a $90 million accounting blunder earlier this month.Labour’s social development spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime has repeatedly committed to establishing an independent redress system for survivors of abuse in...

    Read more about Labour’s uncosted redress promise could leave $1.03 billion hole in fiscal plan

  44. Labour's answer to soaring rates: put it on the mortgage

    The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming Labour’s commitment to the Ratepayer Assistance Scheme while failing to commit to delivering a rates cap. The scheme would allow homeowners to borrow against their properties to postpone rates payments.Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Josh Van Veen says:“Chris Hipkins’ answer to unaffordable rates is to help you...

    Read more about Labour's answer to soaring rates: put it on the mortgage

  45. Taxpayer Update: $610k Cannes junket 🍷 | Hipkins backs a Taxpayers' Union policy 🔍 | ACT's rental tax shake-up 🏠

    Hi Friend,We've uncovered yet another Cannes Film Festival junket, the latest Bribe-O-Meter update suggests the politicians aren't getting a grip with reality and a grim milestone looming for the official New Zealand Government Debt Clock. Also, we're off to Hawke's Bay next week for our next electorate debate (with...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: $610k Cannes junket 🍷 | Hipkins backs a Taxpayers' Union policy 🔍 | ACT's rental tax shake-up 🏠

  46. Bribe-O-Meter Week 6: ACT pledges $8,619-per-household in savings, NZ First bill hits $25,000, and Opportunity unveils $11 billion pay equity pledge

    It's a Tale of Two Fiscal Plans in Week 6 of the Bribe-O-Meter, while the Opportunity Party has quietly added a $5,295-per-household uncosted spending promise.ACT has doubled down on its commitment to cut spending, promising $17.86 billion in net savings over four years, equivalent to $8,619 per household. The party has...

    Read more about Bribe-O-Meter Week 6: ACT pledges $8,619-per-household in savings, NZ First bill hits $25,000, and Opportunity unveils $11 billion pay equity pledge

  50. Labour’s $50 million promise a gamble Kiwis can’t afford

    The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming Labour’s proposed $50 million a year into the Elevate Venture Capital fund, warning taxpayers are bankrolling another round of corporate welfare.Taxpayers’ Union spokeswoman, Ella Dickson, said:“Labour’s answer to economic growth is to give bureaucrats more gambling money. We criticised National for putting another...

    Read more about Labour’s $50 million promise a gamble Kiwis can’t afford

  52. Kiwis can’t afford to forget Labour’s cost of living record: Taxpayers’ Union launches largest-ever pre-election campaign

    The Taxpayers’ Union has today launched We Can’t Afford Labour, its largest-ever pre-election advertising campaign, warning voters not to forget Labour’s record on household costs, tax, public spending and government services.The first advertisement focuses on food prices under the last Labour-led Government, when food-price inflation reached its highest annual...

    Read more about Kiwis can’t afford to forget Labour’s cost of living record: Taxpayers’ Union launches largest-ever pre-election campaign

  53. BREAKING: Chris Hipkins Backs Extending the OIA to Parliament

    The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming Labour leader Chris Hipkins’ support for extending the Official Information Act to cover Parliament, following a question put to him today.Taxpayers’ Union Investigative Lead, Rhys Hurley, said:“We welcome Chris Hipkins’ backing for greater transparency and look forward to him turning his support into...

    Read more about BREAKING: Chris Hipkins Backs Extending the OIA to Parliament

  54. Hipkins right on Cost of Local Government Crisis, but will Labour back a cap?

    Chris Hipkins has rightly highlighted the pressure spiralling council rates are placing on families, with Labour putting the cost at $1,001 a year.Responding, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:“Rates bills climbed 34 percent over the last council term alone. Hipkins is right that families are being hammered in the...

    Read more about Hipkins right on Cost of Local Government Crisis, but will Labour back a cap?

  55. Greens’ “growth” plan is a $2,850-per-household own goal

    The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming the Green Party’s latest $5.9 billion business spending promise, equivalent to $2,850 per household, funded by redirecting the Government’s Investment Boost tax deduction.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson James Ross said:“The Greens’ idea of growing the economy is to tax businesses more for investing, then hand $5.9 billion to...

    Read more about Greens’ “growth” plan is a $2,850-per-household own goal

  56. REVEALED: The Cannes Film Commission Trilogy - another $209,000 box-office spend up

    The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that the New Zealand Film Commission's latest trip to the Cannes Film Market in France cost taxpayers $208,747.92, with four staff and a contractor attending.The taxpayer funding to send staffers to Cannes over the last three years is: $145,354.81 in 2024Up to $255,904...

    Read more about REVEALED: The Cannes Film Commission Trilogy - another $209,000 box-office spend up

  59. NZ First promises higher wages, higher spending, but who's paying?

    The Taxpayers’ Union is questioning how NZ First plans to fund another $600 million a year in Working for Families spending while promising tax relief for small businesses and higher minimum wages.Taxpayers’ Union spokeswoman, Ella Dickson, said:“Winston Peters wants to cut taxes for small businesses while piling on more...

    Read more about NZ First promises higher wages, higher spending, but who's paying?

  60. Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL: NZ First climbs 📈 | Labour’s fiscal plan unraveling 🧮 | 664k for cats in the Middle East 🐈

     Hi,A shorter update today after Monday’s bumper Taxpayer Update, but we wanted to get our latest Taxpayers’ Union–Curia Poll into your inbox while it’s fresh.We’ve also got James finding more holes in Labour’s fiscal plan, a foreign aid policy win, $664,805 for a documentary about cats in the...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL: NZ First climbs 📈 | Labour’s fiscal plan unraveling 🧮 | 664k for cats in the Middle East 🐈

  61. Labour’s fiscal plan problems show why New Zealand needs independent policy costings

    Further questions over Labour’s fiscal plan prove the case for an Independent Fiscal Institution, says Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf:“Labour’s $90 million error was bad enough. Now further questions over what is and isn’t funded in its fiscal plan show exactly why election promises need independent scrutiny.”“School lunch...

    Read more about Labour’s fiscal plan problems show why New Zealand needs independent policy costings

  63. Nationals Foreign Aid Savings Put More Money Into Medicines

    The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming National’s plan to redirect foreign aid spending into Pharmac, with a 10 percent reduction in the International Development Cooperation budget, moving $604 million to help Pharmac fund more new medicines.Taxpayers’ Union spokesman, Rhys Hurley, said:“Redirecting hundreds of millions from foreign aid into medicines...

    Read more about Nationals Foreign Aid Savings Put More Money Into Medicines

  64. Taxpayer Update: Labour’s missing $5.5b 💸 | Greens’ $1,980-a-household trains 🚆 | ACT takes aim at KiwiSaver 📈

    📌 View Online | 🚀 Share on Facebook Hi,Parliament may have packed up for the election, but the spending promises certainly haven’t.This week our Bribe-O-Meter unearthed another $10 billion of Labour commitments, one little-noticed foreign aid promise turned into a full-blown campaign issue, and Labour’s long-awaited fiscal plan finally landed.Elsewhere,...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Labour’s missing $5.5b 💸 | Greens’ $1,980-a-household trains 🚆 | ACT takes aim at KiwiSaver 📈

  68. Taxpayer Talk: Oliver Hartwich on Germany’s Political Meltdown and What NZ Can Learn

    Germany’s politics are fracturing, its economy is stalling, and once-dominant parties are being squeezed by populist challengers on both the left and right.Jordan is joined by Oliver Hartwich from the New Zealand Initiative for a special look at what is going wrong in Germany, from the rise of...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Oliver Hartwich on Germany’s Political Meltdown and What NZ Can Learn

  69. ACT's KiwiSaver tax relief a win for workers, but could go further

    Responding to ACT's proposal to remove tax on KiwiSaver investment earnings, Taxpayers' Union Policy Analyst Austin Ellingham-Banks said:“ACT is right to stop taxing KiwiSaver investment earnings. If the goal is to help people build bigger retirement savings, taxing the returns along the way makes little sense."“Other parties want...

    Read more about ACT's KiwiSaver tax relief a win for workers, but could go further

  71. Bribe-O-Meter Week 4: Labour hides a $2,662-per-household foreign aid bill in its $10 billion week.

    Labour has announced $10.43 billion in new spending in Week 4 of the Taxpayers' Union's Bribe-O-Meter. That is $5,034 for every household in the country, in the space of seven days.Labour's plan to build 6,000 additional state houses, and repair schools and hospitals is costed at $4.3 billion. Its...

    Read more about Bribe-O-Meter Week 4: Labour hides a $2,662-per-household foreign aid bill in its $10 billion week.

  75. Better Starts Later: Labour says Treasury's wrong, but won’t show its own numbers

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on Labour to release its own costing for its pay equity policy after disputing Treasury’s figures but refusing to provide an alternative.Taxpayers’ Union spokeswoman, Ella Dickson, said:“Treasury’s own projections put the cost at $10.97 billion. Labour disputes that figure, but Barbara Edmonds still...

    Read more about Better Starts Later: Labour says Treasury's wrong, but won’t show its own numbers

  76. Time to Put Local Elections Under the Electoral Commission

    The Taxpayers’ Union says Auckland Council’s decision to move away from postal voting strengthens the case for putting local elections in the hands of the Electoral Commission.Taxpayers’ Union spokesman, Rhys Hurley, said:“After the voting ‘irregularities’ in Papatoetoe, Auckland Council was right that the current postal system is not fit...

    Read more about Time to Put Local Elections Under the Electoral Commission

  77. PREFU’s fragile recovery means parties must revisit their spending plans

    The Taxpayers’ Union says Treasury’s latest PREFU shows just how little room there is for another spending blowout, even as parties on the left promise tens of billions of dollars in new spending.Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:“After years of deficits, the books are finally crawling back towards the black. Even...

    Read more about PREFU’s fragile recovery means parties must revisit their spending plans

  78. No debt paid down this decade

    The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming the latest Treasury forecasts of an OBEGAL surplus by 2028/29, but points out that an operating surplus is not enough to pay down debt.Taxpayers' Union spokesman James Ross said:“The Government will be keen to say it’s back on track to surplus, and on...

    Read more about No debt paid down this decade

  80. Labour’s accounting trick doesn’t make student debt disappear

    The Taxpayers’ Union says Labour’s promise to wipe 10 percent off eligible student loansis a $583 million election bribe that would be dumped onto taxpayers.Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Rhys Hurley said:“Labour is trying to buy back voters with taxpayers’ money. But writing off student debt doesn’t make it disappear....

    Read more about Labour’s accounting trick doesn’t make student debt disappear

  81. Taxpayer Update: A tough week, but we’re still fighting 💪 | TOP blows past $100k on Bribe-O-Meter 🪎 | An OIA scandal? 🤐

    📌 View Online | 🚀 Share on Facebook Hi,It's been a tough week here at Taxpayer HQ.And while a certain "journalist" 🤨 has kept us busy, the actual work fighting for taxpayers has continued.Jordan took on Jack Tame and prosecuted the case for a fiscal reality check on TV1's Q+A,...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: A tough week, but we’re still fighting 💪 | TOP blows past $100k on Bribe-O-Meter 🪎 | An OIA scandal? 🤐

  82. Bribe-O-Meter Week 3: Opportunity join the Greens in the $100k-per-household club

    In Week 3 of the Taxpayers' Union's Bribe-O-Meter, Labour has proposed requiring supermarkets to operate their wholesale and retail arms separately, and to make price gouging illegal. The direct cost to taxpayers is limited to additional Commerce Commission enforcement capacity, which we have costed at $88.6 million, or $42.75...

    Read more about Bribe-O-Meter Week 3: Opportunity join the Greens in the $100k-per-household club

  85. Whistleblower Claims Show OIA Investigation Must Be Public Service Wide

    The Taxpayers’ Union says new whistleblower allegations that attempts to avoid Official Information Act scrutiny are not isolated strengthen the case for a Public Service Commission investigation across the public service.Taxpayers’ Union Investigative Lead, Rhys Hurley, said:“Yesterday we asked whether this was an isolated incident or part of...

    Read more about Whistleblower Claims Show OIA Investigation Must Be Public Service Wide

  86. Taxpayers’ Union Board Categorically Rejects Hager Allegation

    The Taxpayers’ Union Board has issued a categorical denial of allegations made by Nicky Hager concerning an alleged sexual harassment settlement.Taxpayers’ Union Chair Ruth Richardson said:“The Taxpayers’ Union Board categorically denies Nicky Hager’s allegation that the organisation has ever made any payment to settle a sexual harassment claim...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union Board Categorically Rejects Hager Allegation

  87. We're under attack

    Friend,The Taxpayers’ Union is under attack.This evening, Nicky Hager released his new book, Dirty Work. As we feared, it is an attack on the Taxpayers’ Union, me personally, and my co-founder David Farrar.Hager calls himself a journalist. But yet again he has ignored the most basic principles of fair...

    Read more about We're under attack

  88. Greens right to close the Beehive-to-lobbying revolving door

    The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming the Green Party’s proposal for a two-year stand-down period preventing former Ministers from immediately becoming lobbyists.Taxpayers’ Union spokeswoman, Ella Dickson, said:“Ministers shouldn’t be able to walk out of the Beehive on Friday and into a lobbying job on Monday, selling the access and...

    Read more about Greens right to close the Beehive-to-lobbying revolving door

  89. Thousands of businesses likely late on PAYE payments through no fault of their own

    The Taxpayers' Union is calling on IRD to be lenient and pursue Westpac, not small business owners, after thousands of Westpac One customers were affected by yesterday's eight-hour outage on the same day PAYE employer deductions for the August period were due."Yesterday, we received reports that many Westpac...

    Read more about Thousands of businesses likely late on PAYE payments through no fault of their own

  90. Taxpayers’ Union Backs Labour Call for OIA Investigation

    The Taxpayers’ Union is backing Labour’s call for a Public Service Commission investigation into allegations that Ministry of Education staff were told to avoid putting information in writing because it could be requested under the Official Information Act.Taxpayers’ Union Investigative Lead, Rhys Hurley, said:“Labour is bang on to...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union Backs Labour Call for OIA Investigation

  91. Labour finally sees sense on interest deductibility

    The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming Chris Hipkins’ confirmation that Labour will leave interest deductibility for rental properties alone.Taxpayers’ Union spokeswoman, Ella Dickson, said:“Labour’s decision to deny landlords a deduction for a legitimate cost of providing rental property distorted the tax system from the start.“When the rules were reversed,...

    Read more about Labour finally sees sense on interest deductibility

  92. Taxpayer Talk: “You’re not special!” - Simon Watts on the local government reforms failing ratepayers

     Jordan Williams sits down with Simon Watts, Minister of Local Government, for a frank conversation on the Government’s local government reforms.From scrapping Three Waters and introducing rates caps to co-governance in water entities, councillor access to information, unelected committee members, and council amalgamations, this episode puts the Minister...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: “You’re not special!” - Simon Watts on the local government reforms failing ratepayers

  93. Taxpayer Update: Willis shuts the door on asset sales 🚪 | Bureaucracy’s $52k goodbye 💸 | Blakeley under pressure 🚨

    Hi,The silly season officially starts when Parliament rises next week for the election. So rather than just moan about all the "bad" things politicians are promising, we've set out the "good" in what we're calling our Taxpayer Manifesto - a set of policies to set our country on course for...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Willis shuts the door on asset sales 🚪 | Bureaucracy’s $52k goodbye 💸 | Blakeley under pressure 🚨

  95. Taxpayer Manifesto Sets Five Bottom Lines For Next Government

    The Taxpayers’ Union has today launched its Taxpayer Manifesto 2026, setting out five bottom lines it wants every political party seeking to form the next Government to address.The manifesto is designed as both an election checklist and a starting point for coalition negotiations after 7 November.Taxpayers’ Union Executive...

    Read more about Taxpayer Manifesto Sets Five Bottom Lines For Next Government

  98. Bribe-O-Meter Week 2: Labour and Opportunity spend big, while Greens go to ground

    Bribe-O-Meter Week 2: Labour and Opportunity spend big, while Greens go to groundLabour has topped the second week of the Taxpayers’ Union’s Bribe-O-Meter, announcing around $421 million of new spending commitments, while most parties have kept their powder dry.Labour’s promise to increase KiwiSaver employer contributions and continue contributions...

    Read more about Bribe-O-Meter Week 2: Labour and Opportunity spend big, while Greens go to ground

  100. Willis talks bracket creep: here’s what the tax brackets should be

    Responding to Nicola Willis’s comments that National will address bracket creep, the Taxpayers’ Union says the 30 percent income tax threshold should already be $56,801.95 and the 33 percent threshold $82,920.23. The figures come from the our briefing paper The Inflation Tax, which shows where income tax thresholds would sit...

    Read more about Willis talks bracket creep: here’s what the tax brackets should be

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