News

All news

  1. 105 police line: callers waiting longer, hanging up during lockdown

    Documents released to the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union under the Official Information Act revealed that during lockdown, almost 40% of callers to the non-emergency 105 police number abandoned calls rather than wait for an answer. Further, the average wait-time appeared to increase significantly during this period.For the period of 1-17...

    Read more about 105 police line: callers waiting longer, hanging up during lockdown

  4. Revealed: Taxpayer-funded ‘wellbeing’ goodie bags during Level 4 lockdown

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that the NZ Super Fund spent over $15,000 on “COVID-19 well-being parcels” from designer supermarket Farro Fresh for the Fund’s highly-paid staff over lockdown. Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Louis Houlbrooke says: “At a time when global markets were plummeting, and the fund’s...

    Read more about Revealed: Taxpayer-funded ‘wellbeing’ goodie bags during Level 4 lockdown

  6. Taxpayer Talk: Tourism NZ and its new $10m international ad campaign

    Despite our closed borders, Tourism NZ is spending $10 million on a new campaign meant to bring overseas travellers to New Zealand. The campaign is supposed to bolster New Zealand’s international brand of “kaitiaki, manaakitanga, and integrity”. In the latest episode of Taxpayer Talk, Louis questions Tourism NZ...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Tourism NZ and its new $10m international ad campaign

  7. Taxpayer Talk: Michael Reddell on Unemployment, Negative Interest Rates and a Temporary Cut to GST

    In this episode of Taxpayer Talk, Taxpayers' Union Research Officer Islay Aitchison interviews economist Michael Reddell on monetary and fiscal policy. Michael Reddell's blog, Croaking Cassandra, can be found here.You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio and all good podcast apps.

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Michael Reddell on Unemployment, Negative Interest Rates and a Temporary Cut to GST

  9. Taxpayer Update: Damning report | Green manifesto | Debt Monster selfie

    Damning report on Provincial Growth Fund confirms pork barrelling, conflicts, and worseA damning new report from the Auditor-General has confirmed what your humble Taxpayers' Union has been saying about the Provincial Growth Fund all along. He found failing processes with regards to the approval of grants, managing conflicts of interests,...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Damning report | Green manifesto | Debt Monster selfie

  12. Taniwha taxes adding 8% to cost of infrastructure builds

    The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union can reveal that councils are allocating up to eight percent of total build costs for iwi engagement for COVID-19 response projects.Taxpayers' Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says, "While trawling through council applications for 'shovel-ready' funding, we came across a proposal from the Waipa District Council that...

    Read more about Taniwha taxes adding 8% to cost of infrastructure builds

  15. Taxpayer Talk: Runners and Riders – Who will take over from Todd Muller?

    The Taxpayers’ Union’s Jordan Williams and Neil Miller, sit down with political commentator and Stuff columnist Damian Grant discuss the runners and riders of the sudden National Party leadership race.You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio and all good podcast apps.

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Runners and Riders – Who will take over from Todd Muller?

  17. Blog: Why alternative monetary policy may not lead to investment spending in the economy

    This blog post is written by Taxpayers' Union Economist Karan Menon.Facing the biggest economic shock in our lifetime, Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr is signaling his support for the use of “alternative monetary policy” to jog the Kiwi economy.He is currently holding the Official Cash Rate at 0.25%,...

    Read more about Blog: Why alternative monetary policy may not lead to investment spending in the economy

  18. Taxpayer Talk: Chris Penk - Flattening the Country

    In our newest episode of Taxpayer Talk, Jordan sits down (in-person!) with Helensville MP Chris Penk who has written a book investigating the claim that the Government had "gone early and hard" in its fight against COVID-19. Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)Flattening the Country is available at https://chrispenk.national.org.nz/flattening_the_country.You can subscribe...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Chris Penk - Flattening the Country

  19. Tool launched for Christchurch ratepayers to submit against rate hike

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has launched a tool for Christchurch ratepayers to submit against Christchurch City Council’s proposed rate hike options.The official consultation form for the Council’s updated budget is frankly a scam. Ratepayers are asked to choose between three different rate hikes – 3.5 percent, 4.65 percent, and...

    Read more about Tool launched for Christchurch ratepayers to submit against rate hike

  21. Taxpayer Update: Statue madness | Taxpayer-funded propaganda | $4000 for tea

    Statue controversy is patheticWe are currently facing the economic fallout of a literal pandemic. But our country's media and politicians have decided the biggest issue affecting New Zealanders is whether or not our statues are racist.On Thursday, Hamilton City Council removed a statue of the city's namesake, John Hamilton, after...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Statue madness | Taxpayer-funded propaganda | $4000 for tea

  22. Taxpayers’ Union lays complaint over ‘Unite for the recovery’ ads

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has laid a formal complaint with the Auditor General regarding today’s full-page advertisements placed in a number of newspapers, including the NZ Herald and the Dominion Post, by the Government (pictured below).These advertisements are not primarily informative or educational, unlike earlier Government COVID-19 advertisements. Today’s ads have...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union lays complaint over ‘Unite for the recovery’ ads

  23. MPs in Depth: A Generation of Losers, Racism and Hard Work — Melissa Lee MP

    We're giving taxpayers the opportunity to get to know their MPs beyond photo-ops and party-line speeches. In this episode, Islay Aitchison interviews Melissa Lee MP. Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio and all good podcast apps.

    Read more about MPs in Depth: A Generation of Losers, Racism and Hard Work — Melissa Lee MP

  24. Formal complaint to the Race Relations Commissioner from Taxpayers’ Union

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has lodged a formal complaint regarding the recent Capital and Coast District Health Board’s decision to move Māori and Pacific patients to the front of their elective surgery queues. We welcome Race Relations Commissioner Dr Meng Foon’s recent comments on radio that on the basis...

    Read more about Formal complaint to the Race Relations Commissioner from Taxpayers’ Union

  26. Taxpayer Update: Race-based hospital waiting lists | Chch rates U-turn | Public health follies

    DHB prioritises patients according to raceWe were amazed to find out this week that Wellington's DHB now has a policy which moves Māori and Pacific patients to the front of their elective surgery queues.We all pay tax into the health system with the expectation that we will receive help...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Race-based hospital waiting lists | Chch rates U-turn | Public health follies

  28. Taxpayer Update: What will PM Muller do | Race-based funding | Pork 🐷

    The National Party has a new LeaderThis afternoon, Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller successfully challenged Simon Bridges for the National Party Leadership.While we don't endorse political parties, we watch National very closely as a party of 'limited government'. Even if they fail to take back the Beehive...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: What will PM Muller do | Race-based funding | Pork 🐷

  29. Revealed: Covid-19 funding for GPs is race based

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that COVID-19 support funding for general practice clinics was allocated significantly on the basis of enrolled patients’ ethnicities. Information obtained under the Official Information Act 1982 showed that organisations received $4.50 in funding per Māori or Pacific patient with any other ethnicities worth only $1.50...

    Read more about Revealed: Covid-19 funding for GPs is race based

  30. MPs in Depth: Reform priorities, time in the private sector and long-held political aspirations — Todd Muller MP

    This morning it was reported that Todd Muller is making a challenge for the National Party Leadership. Prior to these reports, Islay Aitchison sat down with him to hear more about his political philosophy, his goals and his background.You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio...

    Read more about MPs in Depth: Reform priorities, time in the private sector and long-held political aspirations — Todd Muller MP

  31. Taxpayer Update: Debt clock launched | Tram shelved | Rock bottom journalism

    Watch Government debt tick up in real timeFollowing the Budget’s eye-wateringly high debt forecast, the team have been thinking about how to best illustrate what it looks like to borrow $200.8 billion by 2024 (or $109,700 added to the mortgage of every New Zealand household).A couple of the staff put together...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Debt clock launched | Tram shelved | Rock bottom journalism

  32. MPs in Depth: The National Party Divide, Modern Conservatism and Fencing - Simon O'Connor

    We're giving taxpayers the opportunity to get to know their MPs beyond photo-ops and party-line speeches. In this episode, Islay Aitchison interviews Simon O'Connor MP.You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and all good podcast apps.Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)

    Read more about MPs in Depth: The National Party Divide, Modern Conservatism and Fencing - Simon O'Connor

  33. Taxpayer Talk: Out of the Budget 2020 lock-up – Joe Ascroft and Neil Miller on the economics and politics of the biggest budget of our lifetime.

    The Taxpayers' Union's Consulting Economist Joe Ascroft, and former Treasury (now Taxpayers' Union) Analyst Neil Miller, sits down with Jordan Williams to discuss Budget 2020, the economic and political risks, and what it says about the Government's election strategy.You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Out of the Budget 2020 lock-up – Joe Ascroft and Neil Miller on the economics and politics of the biggest budget of our lifetime.

  37. Taxpayer Talk: Tim Hazeldine and Eric Crampton on Auckland's CBD Rail Loop and post-COVID economic recovery

    On this episode of Taxpayer Talk, Jordan Williams interviews Tim Hazeldine and Eric Crampton. They discuss Auckland's CBD Rail Loop, incentives for infrastructure spending and Thursday's Budget.Prof Hazledine’s opinion pieces referred to are here:https://www.newsroom.co.nz/ideasroom/2020/05/11/1162413/tank-the-tunnelhttps://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12327344The NZ Initiative paper referred to is here:https://www.nzinitiative.org.nz/reports-and-media/media/media-release-new-zealand-cant-afford-any-boondoggles-in-the-post-covid-19-recovery-new-report-says/You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Tim Hazeldine and Eric Crampton on Auckland's CBD Rail Loop and post-COVID economic recovery

  38. Taxpayer Update: What to look for on Thursday | 18 days of reading about rock lobster

    This will be a big week for taxpayers.Thursday is Budget Day, when Grant Robertson will decide how to spend around $100 billion of your money.As usual, we're sending staff to the Budget Day lock-up briefing. This event gives economists, sector groups, and unions a chance to read through...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: What to look for on Thursday | 18 days of reading about rock lobster

  39. Taxpayer Talk: Jami-Lee Ross on his rates freeze SOP, the Botany electorate and China

    Should Parliament step in to enforce a nationwide rates freeze, what's happening in Botany and should our relationship with China change? Islay Aitchison interviews Jami-Lee Ross.You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and all good podcast apps.Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Jami-Lee Ross on his rates freeze SOP, the Botany electorate and China

  40. MPs in Depth: Tough economic questions, Muldoon and PR — Paul Goldsmith

    We're giving taxpayers the opportunity to get to know their MPs beyond photo-ops and party-line speeches. In this episode, Islay Aitchison interviews Paul Goldsmith MP.You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and all good podcast apps.Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)

    Read more about MPs in Depth: Tough economic questions, Muldoon and PR — Paul Goldsmith

  41. Taxpayer Update: More pay cut victories | Business loan bonanza | Where's Heather? | Where's David?

    State Services Commissioner throws his weight behind our pay cut campaign! 🎉We've had another major win in our campaign for the public sector to share the financial burden of COVID-19.Last month, we wrote to the State Services Commissioner and all major state sector agencies (including councils), asking if they would...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: More pay cut victories | Business loan bonanza | Where's Heather? | Where's David?

  42. Taxpayer Talk: Reserve Bank Reservations with David Seymour

    Taxpayer Talk is back. This week Jordan and Joe interview Act MP David Seymour on the worrying signs of the politicisation of the Reserve Bank, and Grant Robertson's suggestion of monetising the Government's debt. You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and all good podcast apps.Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Reserve Bank Reservations with David Seymour

  43. MPs in Depth: Police, the campaign trail and proud socialism — Ginny Andersen MP

    We're giving taxpayers the opportunity to get to know their MPs beyond photo-ops and party-line speeches. In this episode, Islay Aitchison interviews Ginny Andersen MP.You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and all good podcast apps.Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)

    Read more about MPs in Depth: Police, the campaign trail and proud socialism — Ginny Andersen MP

  44. MPs in Depth: Shameless liberalism, the Wellington bubble and opening a pub — Chris Bishop MP

    We're giving taxpayers the opportunity to get to know their MPs beyond photo-ops and party-line speeches. In this episode, Islay Aitchison interviews Chris Bishop MP.You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and all good podcast apps.Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate) 

    Read more about MPs in Depth: Shameless liberalism, the Wellington bubble and opening a pub — Chris Bishop MP

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

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

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

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

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

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

  56. Pandemic response: Campaign for nationwide rates freeze launched

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  79. 2019 Ratepayers’ Report released, methodology explained

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

    Read more about 2019 Ratepayers’ Report released, methodology explained

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  83. Zero Carbon Bill Submission

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

    Read more about Zero Carbon Bill Submission

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  96. Porirua’s Canadian art exchange typifies wasteful travel

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

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

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

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

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

  98. Revealed: Wellington City Council’s climate hypocrisy

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

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

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