The Taxpayers' Union is slamming Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale and his Council's decision to appoint unelected, unaccountable, iwi representatives onto every one of the Council's powerful standing committees, with full voting rights.

Responding to today's vote, Taxpayers' Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, said:

"This is a fundamentally undemocratic move. By shifting so much power to the Committee, Drysdale is screwing the scrum so that he has extra votes in the pocket."

"But it's also undemocratic in that appointments are not accountable to voters. In the same way the Taxpayers' Union ridiculed the Hastings District Council's decision to appoint teenagers from their 'youth council' to Council committees, Iwi appointments are inherently unaccountable to voters."

"The people of Tauranga only recently got their local democracy back. Now, without even putting it out for public feedback, Mayor Drysdale is driving it into a ditch. He's clearly out of his depth."

It's silly season in Wellington, with Christmas joy (i.e. taxpayer funded) knees up well underway.

There's also the usual December "take out the trash" silliness where exceedingly well paid government spin doctors dump the bad news at the very time the media and public aren't looking... 

But here at the Taxpayers' Union, we're still at it and will be at right up until the fat man in the red suit arrives in a few weeks.

Merry Christmas (to the Debt Monster) 🎄

This week we're expecting the Government's solution to the Interislander debacle (quite why Kiwirail isn't expected to fund its own asset purchases, just like the privately-owned Cook Straight ferry operator does has never been clear), and next week, on the Eve of Christmas comes Nicola Willis' Budget Policy Statement, and Half Year Fiscal and Economic Update. There, we're expecting the inevitable announcement that budget surplus is being pushed back, yet again. 

So the Government Debt Clock won't be stopped for Christmas, in fact it's ticking at a faster rate than when Grant Robertson was in-charge. The only one who's happy is the Debt Monster.

Meanwhile, Labour thinking about how to make New Zealand more prosperous tax you more 🤦

The Labour Party was hammered at last year's election, and last week Party members gathered in Christchurch for their annual conference to discuss the rebuild.

You'd think that they'd learn some lessons and take the message, right? After all, Labour's increase in Government spending (gross core Crown spending by 83 percent in just seven years ! ) resulted in high inflation and, arguably, worse public services. 

But it seems Christopher Hipkins missed the memo. 

Instead of debating the challenges the New Zealand economy faces, our structural overspending, and lack of productivity growth in both the private and public sectors, the Labour Party's main agenda item was to debate [re-checks notes] which new tax they should introduce!

➡️➡️➡️ Walk this way to higher taxes ➡️➡️➡️

To help Labour Party delegates find their way to the venue, your humble Taxpayers' Union were on hand to help. 😉

Even Stuff liked the gag! Young Alex (who came to work for us from our sister group, the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation) got his first interview on the 6 o'clock TV news to give the taxpayer perspective.

Despite our best intentions to be helpful, Labour's delegates weren't so keen on our helpful sign posting (video here). Weird.

NEW POLL: ACT & Te Pāti Māori gain in final Taxpayers-Union Curia Poll for 2024 📊

There will be sighs of relief in the Beehive with the centre-right commanding a comfortable majority in our final poll for 2024, despite a hard month and media attention on the hīkoi.

The poll, conducted 1 to 3 December, has both National and Labour down 4.6 points from last month, National at 34.2% and Labour at 26.9%.

Despite some progress on the "Preferred PM" results (see below), it's not much progress for Chris Hipkins, 26.9% is the exact result Labour got at last year's general election.

The Greens are down 1 point to 8.3%, while ACT are up 4.5 points to 13%. That puts ACT ahead of the Greens for the first time since February 2024.

New Zealand First is down 1.1 points to 5.4% while Te Pāti Māori is up 3 points to 5.5%.
For the minor parties, Outdoors and Freedom is on 2% (+0.7 points), TOP is on 1.1% (+0.2 points), and Vision NZ is on 0.2% (-0.2 points).

Converting that to seats in Parliament, these results would mean National and ACT would not need NZ First to form a Government. The total number of seats for the Centre-right is 68, while the left has only 52 seats in the 120 Parliament.

In terms of Preferred Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon is up slightly from last month to 27.1% (+0.6 points) while Chris Hipkins is up to 19.9% (+4.4 points). David Seymour is at 5.8% (-1.6 points) matched by Winston Peters (-0.5 points) at 5.8% and Chlöe Swarbrick at 4.5% (-0.7 points).

This month we're also publicly releasing what participants said was their "most important issue" that would influence how they would vote. 

Although it is getting much media attention, just 8.4% of voters listed the Treaty as their top voting issue. That could suggest that media attention does not necessarily correlate to importance in the minds of most voters. 

You can read more results over on our website.

EXPOSED: New Zealand's infrastructure benchmark - more traffic cones than sheep? 👀 🚧 🐑

The Taxpayers' Union has exposed that the New Zealand Transport Agency's spending on 'temporary traffic management' has been a massive $786 million in just three years.

That's more than $390 per household on road cones and lollypop signs.

And it gets worse. The $786 million is 'only' what comes from central government. It doesn't include what your council is spending on cones (those higher rates have to be going somewhere!).

Politicians and talking heads in the media complain about New Zealand's "infrastructure deficit" and argue that we must spend more. But according to the OECD (a think tank funded by the governments of most developed countries) New Zealand spends at higher levels than Australia and the median OECD country on infrastructure.

So why aren't we enjoying world class infrastructure? Like so many areas of spending coming from Wellington, it's not how much we're spending, it's what we're getting (or not getting) due to New Zealand's very poor productivity.

And it's no state secret. As our friends over at the NZ Initiative think tank have pointed out:

Despite this comparatively high spending, New Zealand reaps a relatively poor return from its infrastructure investment. Alarmingly, we rank near the bottom 10 per cent of high-income countries for the efficiency of our infrastructure spending.

A cone-spiracy? 🤷

Your humble Taxpayers' Union suggests that when you're spending so much on traffic management there are (so we are told) more cones than there are sheep, overly zealous traffic management would be a good place to start to get more bang for our buck from NZTA.

No one is saying 'end all road cones' (well, maybe a few of us in the office), but when Alex and the team stumbled upon a single Wellington intersection with more than 200 road cones, surely something has to change?!

A tree-mendous waste of $1.2 million 🎄🎅🏻

Christmas is a time for family, and our Auckland ratepayer campaign has been digging deep.

On behalf of the Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance I found myself playing the Grinch when I broke the news that Auckland's new Christmas Tree cost up to $1.2 million. Ouch!

It seems no expense was spared on this 18-metre ornament, with Council committing $800,000 of rates money.

We can only assume the baubles are made of solid gold (we asked, but Auckland Council refused to provide a breakdown of the $1.3million – so it's anyone's guess).

Christchurch on the other hand erected their 10 metre Christmas tree for just four percent of the cost.

Wellington also managed three Christmas trees for about the same cost as Christchurch's one. You read that right: Wellington City Council actially kept costs down for something – it's a Christmas miracle!

Your household's $57 SolarZero charge: time for some sunlight ☀️🔥

Politicians love to give old fashioned corporate welfare new labels such as 'green investments'. But in the case of the $115 million taxpayer dollars basked onto SolarZero, a private company, through the so-called "Green Investment Finance Investment Bank" even an Orwellion name and $155million wasn't enough to stop the collapse.

According to the NZ Herald, Finance Minister Nicola Willis is "seeking advice" on the investment and why it went wrong.

Here's what the advice should say: Big gambles mean big losses, and taxpayers shouldn't have to front up with (in this company's case) $57 for every Kiwi household to subsides (via cheap capital) because a business or industry is green fashionable.

The Government was elected to cut wasteful spending. Corporate welfare funds like the Green Investment Finance Investment Bank would be a good place to start. After all, if you're a half decent investment banker, are you really likely to be working for the New Zealand Government...

More money muscled musseled out of Shane Jones 🦪💪

Speaking of corporate welfare, the hapless mussel farm in Opotiki has received yet another $16.5 million of taxpayer cash courtesy of Shane Jones.

Most Kiwis love a good seafood feast. But for those counting, this latest handout takes the total corporate welfare handouts to $52 million, for just one mussel farm!

We hope you like mussels because every NZ household has now stumped up $26 subsidising this one company.

Shane Jones says he wants to create a sustainable industry out of mussel farming in the area. But the company he's showering has never turned a profit. Not even once.

Speaking of creative accounting...

Official Dis-information? South Wairarapa District Council's audited accounts show wrong CEO pay numbers  🫢

They won't tell anyone what the extra money was for, except that it was in relation to "contractual obligations". Sounds like a golden goodbye to me...

Forcing every single one of the 7,400 households in the small district to chip in $10 as a goodbye a bit rich. But to then not disclose the payout (as required by law) is a bit poor, to say the least.

Have a great week,

Sam Warren    Local Government Campaigns Manager    New Zealand Taxpayers' Union

ACT, Te Pāti Māori, and the centre-right will be happy with the results of the final Taxpayers-Union Curia Poll for 2024.

The poll, conducted 1 to 3 December, has both National and Labour down 4.6 points from last month, National at 34.2% and Labour at 26.9%.

The Greens are down 1 point to 8.3%, while ACT are up 4.5 points to 13%. That puts ACT ahead of the Greens for the first time since February 2024.

New Zealand First is down 1.1 points to 5.4% while Te Pāti Māori is up 3 points to 5.5%.
For the minor parties, Outdoors and Freedom is on 2% (+0.7 points), TOP is on 1.1% (+0.2 points), and Vision NZ is on 0.2% (-0.2 points).

When participates were asked what the most important issue is that would influence how they would vote, Cost of Living topped the poll with 22.5% (down 0.3 points), followed by the Economy at 18.8% (+0.6 points) and Health at 11.8% (+2.2 points). 8.4% of respondents (+3.3 points) said Treaty issues were the most important, followed by Law and order on 5.3% (-1.8 points), the Environment (4.6%), Employment (3.9%), Poverty (3.5%), Education (3.1%), and Housing (2.3%).

Taxpayers' Union spokesman, Sam Warren, said:

"On these numbers, the centre right would command 68 seats in Parliament - a comfortable majority. The National Party and ACT would not require NZ First to form a government."

"Despite what would appear to be a difficult few months for the Government, and the National Party getting the lowest party vote result in our poll since July 2023, the Labour Party does not appear to have been able to capitalise on it. At 26.9%, Labour is on the identical result as it received at last year's election."

"Although it is getting much media attention, just 8.4% of voters listed the Treaty as their top voting issue. That would suggest that media attention does not necessarily correlate to importance in the mind of most voters."

More information, including the Preferred Prime Minister results, is available at: www.taxpayers.org.nz/final_poll_dec2024

The Minister of Finance's spat with left-wing economist Craig Rennie for, apparently, making up a quote during a previous Budget lock-up should not affect the decision on whether to allow the Taxpayers' Union to attend (and report on) the Half-Year Fiscal and Economic Update to be released next week.

Speaking in response to the Minister of Finance's comments at the Post-Cab, Taxpayers' Union spokesman, Jordan Williams said:

"With one-in-14 voters receiving our Taxpayer Updates, more people receive news from the Taxpayers' Union about the Government fiscal situation than most of the 'media' organisations that attend Budget lock-ups."

"It appears the Taxpayers' Union is being singled out to try and 'balance' the decision to bar Craig Rennie from attending. But his bad behaviour is totally irrelevant in terms of whether our economist and staffers should be allowed to attend."

"Grant Robertson once tried this trick and attempted to bar the Taxpayers' Union from attending a Budget lock-up. Wiser heads eventually prevailed. Indeed, we can recall an Opposition Finance Spokesperson commenting that Robertson should ensure we can attend and report on these very matters."

Radio New Zealand reported yesterday that Finance Minister, Nicola Willis, stated that tax changes for charities, and closing of loopholes, will be announced at next year’s budget in May.

Taxpayers’ Union Acting Head of Campaigns, James Ross, said “this looks like a move in the right direction.”

“Businesses should be treated in exactly the same way by the tax system. Exempting a business’ profits from taxation because it is set up to fund charitable or religious activities is not the correct approach.”

“It’s inconceivable that all of the profits are used for these activities. Most businesses fund capital replacements and expansions entirely, or at least partly, from retained profits. These expenditures are not charitable activities and, in the normal course of business, are funded from after-tax profits.”

“The correct approach is to tax the profits made by all businesses in the same way and then to provide the appropriate tax rebates to any profits distributed for qualifying charitable activities.”

“This is how the system works for all other businesses and individual taxpayers. It should be no different just because a business operates to fund charitable activities.”

“The current arrangements provide an unfair competitive advantage to businesses that have a broad charitable purposes tax exemption, because profits reinvested in the business are not taxed, unlike all other businesses. The Government is correct to fix this anomaly in the tax system.”

The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through Local Government Official Information and Meeting Act that Environment Southland has spent $32,871.17 to hunt one phantom wallaby that was ultimately never found.

The month long hunt involved Otago Regional Council, the Ministry of Primary Industries, thermal drones, biosecurity, dogs – and a team of management and comms staff.

“This result makes the National Wallaby Eradication Programme look more like a taxpayer funded social club than a crack team committed to stomping out pests” said Local Government Campaigns Manager, Sam Warren.

“One week alone saw $19,249.89 spent, with a staggering $13,000 towards staff and a further $6,000 on contractors – and that is without Council and MPI related costs on top."

“It’s hard not to wonder if the local hunting community would have done the job for less and actually manage to turn the phantom into a ghost."

“Review is urgently needed of this programme before the pest problem gets any worse, and ratepayers are left paying the bill.”

Waitaki District Council is defending its new logo following complaints from the public it more closely resembles certain aspects of the human anatomy.

“$100,000 of ratepayers' money has already been put towards this logo – which should probably come with an R-rating” said Local Government Campaigns Manager, Sam Warren.

“The Council used no less than two professional design firms for an outrageously expensive ‘W’ that doesn’t leave much to the imagination."

“Once the final design is confirmed, a further $200,000 – $300,000 will be spent on the changeover to replace existing signs. Meanwhile, rates in Waitaki have increased a whopping 13.73% on average this year alone. I’m not convinced a new anatomically-inspired logo is a priority at the moment."

“Other questions have been raised over the design’s shared similarities with a sustainable wool company. It’s crazy this amount of money has been wasted on a logo that, arguably, already exists."

“My advice is for council to ditch the expensive brand refresh and work on getting rates down for Waitaki locals.”

Waitaki District Council is defending its new logo following complaints from the public it more closely resembles certain aspects of the human anatomy.

“$100,000 of ratepayers' money has already been put towards this logo – which should probably come with an R-rating” said Local Government Campaigns Manager, Sam Warren.

“The Council used no less than two professional design firms for an outrageously expensive ‘W’ that doesn’t leave much to the imagination."

“Once the final design is confirmed, a further $200,000 – $300,000 will be spent on the changeover to replace existing signs. Meanwhile, rates in Waitaki have increased a whopping 13.73% on average this year alone. I’m not convinced a new anatomically-inspired logo is a priority at the moment."

“Other questions have been raised over the design’s shared similarities with a sustainable wool company. It’s crazy this amount of money has been wasted on a logo that, arguably, already exists."

“My advice is for council to ditch the expensive brand refresh and work on getting rates down for Waitaki locals.”

Labour faithful gathered this weekend in Christchurch for the party’s annual conference to consider their approach towards the 2026 election – with future tax policy high up on the agenda.

“Labour has never met a tax it didn’t like” said Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman, Sam Warren.

“With ‘change’ and ‘challenge’ being central themes for this year’s conference, what we got was more of the same.”

“Productivity in New Zealand is at rock bottom, and insolvencies are much higher than the global average – and despite Hipkins’ political deflection, higher taxes won’t grow the economy and improve our lives."

“According to Labour, it seems that no problem can be solved without taxing Kiwis more. Six years in the driver’s seat has proven otherwise."

“Without any semblance of a plan to boost economic growth and improve productivity, Labour is clearly not ready for the Treasury benches in two short years. It will be simple; a vote for Labour is a vote for more taxes and even more backwards thinking.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming the disgraceful waste of $115 million in public funds sunk into the now-liquidated SolarZero by the Crown-owned New Zealand Green Investment Finance (NZGIF).

Commenting on this Taxpayer’s Union spokesperson James Ross said:

“When the government tries to gamble with taxpayers’ money, private companies line their pockets and taxpayers get the risk. Government picking winners doesn’t work.”

“New Zealand Green Investment Finance has become a high-stakes casino. SolarZero’s collapse saw $115 million of taxpayers’ cash - more than $57 for every household in the country - go up in flames."

“With over four times that much already committed by the fund, how much taxpayer cash do we have to waste before the Government quits its gambling addiction?”

“Bad investments, bad oversight, bad outcomes. That’s corporate welfare in a nutshell.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is weighing in on the recent news that Shane Jones convinced Cabinet to fork out another $16.5 million of taxpayers money on a loss-making mussel farm. This brings the total taxpayer tab for the project to $52 million.

Commenting on the story, Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes, said:

“Shane Jones has continued to lobby for tens of millions of dollars from the pocket of taxpayers to be handed to a management team who have already managed one mussel business into failure.”

“Not only has the mussel farm lost money every year of its existence, but the auditor has expressed uncertainty in its ability to continue. So long as Shane Jones is signing the cheques, taxpayers can say goodbye to their hard-earned money.”

“This is another example of why the Taxpayers’ Union named their annual Government-waste awards the ‘Jonesies’. Taxpayers expect value for their tax dollars, not for them to be thrown away for mussel-farm nostalgia.”

“The losses have been so bad, the corporate financiers can’t even put a number on it! With results like this, it’s time for the Government to reign in the slush funds, and stop allowing Ministers to dangle taxpayers’ money over the fire.”

Allegations of poor behaviour from Dunedin City Council’s Chief Executive, Sandy Graham, have cost ratepayers more than $250,000 in both legal fees and an investigative report that will not be released to the public.

“Two issues are concerning – Graham’s extremely costly behaviour, and the utter lack of transparency surrounding the report into her, which alone cost more than $132,500” said Local Government Campaigns Manager, Sam Warren.

“Citing reasons of privacy, details remain scarce as the report will not be made available for scrutiny. But it’s apparent that Graham’s repeated bad language and unprofessionalism are at the centre of this extremely costly investigation.

“Every reasonable effort must be made for the report to see the light of day, even if aspects are redacted to protect those who blew the whistle on Graham. Otherwise, an apology and employee improvement plan aren’t good enough at this high level.

“This year Dunedin locals have been hit with a staggering 17.5 percent rates increase. At the very least they deserve transparency and confidence in their Chief Executive who received a $31,678 pay bump, taking her renumeration to $418,080, according to the 2022/23 annual report from Council.

“We don’t expect perfect, but we expect much better. Either the incredibly expensive report into allegations over the well-paid bureaucrat’s behaviour is made public – or Graham must fall on her sword."

Commenting on the Reserve Bank’s decision to once-again slash the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 50 basis points, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said:

“This slashing of the OCR proves what we’re all feeling; New Zealand’s economy is limping. We’re in a worse per-capita recession than we were following the Global Financial Crisis.”

“The Government desperately needs to pull out all the stops to get us growing again. The only way to do that is investment.”

“Anti-business taxes (including one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world) and nonsense red tape will keep us stuck in reverse.”

“Slashing interest rates is half a solution at best, and sticking plasters won’t put New Zealand back on the right course.”

The Post today reports on the major developments coming from yesterday’s meeting to amend the long-term plan after the decision not to sell the airport shares left the council with a $500m shortfall.

The proposals are estimated to save the council $380m to $400m which falls short of the $500m target.

Commenting on the proposals, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said “what will it take for the council to take its finances seriously? The budget is still at least $100m short, around $1,250 for every Wellington household. Is that getting slapped on families’ rates bills?“

"Mayor Tory Whanau’s dogged insistence that vanity projects like the Golden Mile and Town Hall go ahead unchanged screams that she’s keen to be the captain going down with her ship. Rather than sinking the city, take the obvious solutions and fix the financial leaks.”

“The Golden Mile isn’t just a “nice-to-have”, it’s a project that local businesses actively don’t want. In a time of financial crisis, the Mayor’s wasting $1,750 for every household in the city to kill the CBD”

“Given the council’s appalling record with major project costs blowouts, ratepayers shouldn’t believe for a second the cost for the Golden Mile will be kept to its $140m budget.”

“With rates spiralling, at this rate there’ll be no one left in the city to enjoy Tory Whanau’s build-at-any-cost vanity projects.”

Responding to Winston Peters’ calls for growth in foreign investment in New Zealand, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said:

“When New Zealand is the single worst country in the OECD at attracting foreign investment, who can be surprised that our economy is stagnating? Per capita, Kiwis have been getting poorer at a rate of knots for years and that trend doesn’t look set to change.”

“Cut anti-competitive red tape, lift the ban on foreign companies owning the plots of land their businesses are based on, and drop one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world. That’s how you attract investment.”

“Investors skipping over New Zealand isn’t going to stop when we’re constantly talking about slapping on envy taxes like wealth taxes and capital gains tax. Kiwi families bear the brunt because we can’t put the debate to bed.”

The New Zealand Taxpayers Union can reveal through Official Information Act request the past two financial years has seen Television New Zealand blow $63,682.66 on Christmas parties.

Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer Alex Emes said:

“This year will be the litmus test for Chief Executive Jodi O’Donnell, who is now coming off the back of a year which saw TVNZ post a $85 million loss. Has the message got through, or will TVNZ carry on and be back asking for taxpayer handouts?

“In a year that has included programme failures and falling revenue, their current trajectory is only damaging public trust even further.

“Dividends for the taxpayers aren’t coming anytime soon, and NZ on Air cannot fund the entire organisation. Surely it’s time to get the risk of the taxpayers’ books and sell off the organisation altogether.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is weighing in on the recent COP29 agreement which lays out a plan to fund developing nations with $500 billion a year until 2035 on the backs of developed nations. This comes despite the fact New Zealand is already providing $216-per-household a year from 2022-2026. Based on the increase in the overall amount, this yearly per-household figure could be on track to triple.

Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer Alex Emes called the deal “a move towards global socialism” due to the agreed upon large transfer of wealth from countries like New Zealand to the third world.

“These COP negotiations seem to have become more about New Zealand taxpayers subsidising the pockets of dictators then their original intention of protecting the planet.

“This latest agreement shows how out of touch New Zealand’s leaders have become with Kiwi voters. Kiwis are facing higher prices and paying higher taxes all to hear that their hard-earned money has gone to fill the political egos of entitled politicians.

“Now, despite facing financial hardship from multiple large-scale climate events in the last year alone, this government continues to prioritise the needs of the rest of the world ahead of its citizens.

“The $216-per-household we’re already shipping overseas every year could’ve covered 2/3rds of the budget for the Dunedin hospital. With that amount now possibly set to triple, think what we could build if we focussed on using Kiwi tax dollars for Kiwi infrastructure.” 

The latest Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll has revealed Kiwis overwhelmingly support extending the Official Information Act to cover the expenses of MPs and their offices.

Voters were asked: ‘Ministers’ expenses are covered by the Official Information Act and disclosed, but expenses for MPs who are not Ministers are not covered and kept secret. Would you support or oppose a law change to extend the Official Information Act to include spending by MPs and their offices?'

62% of respondents support the extension of the OIA to cover MPs’ spending, compared to just 13% opposed and 24% were unsure.

Voters for all parties in Parliament bar one had a clear majority in support, while Te Pāti Māori voters still have a sizeable plurality in support.

ACT supporters have the highest support. At 79% in favour compared to just 5% opposed, ACT supporters have a net support of +74%.

Te Pāti Māori supporters have the lowest support. But with 44% in favour compared to just 19% opposed, Te Pāti Māori supporters still have a net support of +25%.

The full polling report can be found here.

Commenting on the results of this poll, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said:

“Kiwis support MPs having to front up to the public about what they’re chucking on their expense accounts, and it’s not even close. By a ratio of nearly five to one, voters want an end to the expenses gravy train."

“Whether it’s bottles of bubbly or trips to Hawaii, the fact is we have no idea what MPs are making us pay for. Ministers have to declare their expenses, why shouldn't MPs?"

“18,397 Kiwis submitted to Select Committee demanding that MPs open the books. The strength of feeling is obvious, and taxpayers are done listening to the excuses."

“Supporters of every party are clear that whilst taxpayers are picking up the tab, the secrecy needs to end. With the Parliament Bill up before Select Committee now, there’s no time like the present for our Parliament to catch up with the rest of the world."

The Taxpayers’ Union is voicing support for the more than 1000 South Wairarapa residents who have signed a petition to cap next year’s rates rise at 3 percent.

Commenting on this courageous act of common sense, Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes, said:

“The Taxpayers’ Union supports and applauds South Wairarapa ratepayers in their fight for common sense rate caps. Only through residents’ determination and hard work will ratepayers’ rights be recognised.”

“Rates across the Anglosphere - whether it is California, England, Victoria or New South Wales - are capped to avoid spiralling rates bills. The fact New Zealand has failed to cap rates is just another example of how successive Governments have fallen behind the rest of the world.”

“While the latest rates increase of 14.7 percent is both offensive and cruel to the ratepayers of South Wairarapa, this phenomenon is happening across New Zealand. With an average proposed rates rise of 15 percent across New Zealand, it’s time for ratepayers across the country to stand up, have their voice heard and fight back. If councils don’t listen, they might find themselves out of work come November.”

The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through an Official Information Act request that Sport NZ has spent $316,000 on two diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) surveys. The first, in 2020, cost the taxpayer $185,598.51. The second, in 2024, cost $130,310. Sport NZ has also committed another $46,500 to online resources to promote DEI, which will not be completed until mid-2025.

Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said:

“The same agency responsible for the $170k ‘say thanks to your coach’ blunder – which cost more than $575 per e-card it sent – has blown over $300k on two DEI surveys.

“Ensuring sport is for everyone is commendable, but not every project needs to cost six figures. In fact, the surveys find the biggest barrier facing people in the sector is lack of cash. Maybe if Sports NZ got their act in gear and cut out their own waste, that wouldn’t be such an issue.”

“It must feel like a low blow to the scores of shuttered sports clubs Sport NZ is meant to support that this box-ticking exercise wasted enough money to buy 15,795 rugby balls.”

“At a time when New Zealanders are tightening their belts, Sport NZ should focus on achieving measurable results in grassroots sports rather than expensive self-congratulatory exercises.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is reacting to reports that show the New Zealand Transport Agency has spent more than $786 million dollars on road cones and temporary traffic management in the last three years.

Responding to the outrageous amount of money, Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes, said:

“You cone-not be serious. New Zealand has some of the most expensive infrastructure projects in the developed world, yet we’ve still got an infrastructure deficit as long as your arm.

"When just shy of $800m has been blown on traffic cones and lolly-pop signs, is it any wonder there never seems to be enough money to actually get anything built?

“It begs the question, how many road cones has NZTA ended up buying in the last three years? Which contractor was able to grift off this insane amount of spending?

“Perhaps if they were faster at building real roads, this excess spending wouldn’t be necessary. This is evidence of a broken system, and reason for major cost-saving, results driven reform.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is defending taxpayers after New Zealand’s COP29 National Statement laid out $30 million dollars in additional commitments to send taxpayers’ dollars overseas.Responding to this, Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes, said:

“This statement puts shipping Kiwis’ hard-earned tax dollars overseas for foreign countries ahead of focusing on the issues facing New Zealanders at home.”

“Despite being a country with only a fraction of the emissions, people and resources of other countries, this Government has just made $30 million in commitments to climate handouts in Azerbaijan, a country dedicated to fossil fuels.”

“This decision proves how out-of-touch this tax more, spend more, ship more overseas Government is with New Zealand taxpayers. Fix your house first before you go fixing the neighbourhood.”

Stuff today reported on a stoush between Napier City Council and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council. Hawke’s Bay disagrees with Napier’s decision to mark a potentially flood-prone parcel of land as suitable for developing 660 homes upon.

Commenting on this, Taxpayers' Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said:

“While Hawke’s Bay ratepayers still carry the can in the event of a natural disaster, it’s natural for the regional council to be a tad gun-shy about development. That then begs the question, why are ratepayers carrying the risk?”

“Private insurance exists for a reason. It’s insurance firms’ entire purpose to work out what risks are financially sensible. Councils second-guessing this simply drives up costs.”

“If we’re wanting to climb out of a national housing crisis, we need to stop Councils getting stuck with the legal risks of consenting.”

“Flood defences should be factored into the private cost of a development, if that’s what potential homeowners want to pay for. Denying homebuyers that choice in the long run only ends up denying people the ability to buy homes at all.”

With one of the lead organisers of Hīkoi - Eru Kapa-Kingi - being a paid Parliamentary staffer working for Te Pāti Māori, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said “if taxpayer money is being spent, we need to see the receipts.”

“Parliamentary budgets are for helping constituents, not political campaigning. Parliament’s exceptional carve-out from freedom of information laws means we’ll never know if taxpayers had to stump up the cash.”

“Te Pāti Māori are far from the only party doing this. All parties use public money for campaigning, and then have the gall to tell us we’re not allowed to know how a cent of it is spent.”

“Taxpayers’ money is not a political slush fund. MPs shouldn’t be able to hide how they’re wasting our money, and it’s long-past time their budgets were covered by the OIA.”

"18,397 Kiwis submitted to Parliament demanding to open the books. How much longer are MPs going to bury their heads in the sand?"

The Taxpayers' Union is supporting the Department of Conservation’s discussion document that includes a proposal to charge for access to sites in the conservation estate, as long as that means taxpayers end up footing less of the bill.

Commenting on the Government-led directive, Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes, said:

“Taxpayers are right to applaud DOC’s decision to consider alternative paths of raising revenue without burdening taxpayers.”

“With 83 percent of DOC’s current budget coming from the taxpayer tab, the department is correct in looking for ways to only charge those using its services.”

“User pay systems are in use all around the world, and lower the burden on taxpayers footing the bill. The DOC now needs to use these resources to lower the extreme proportion of funding they currently receive from the taxpayer.”

The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through Local Government Official Information and Meeting Act that planned upgrades to the Wellington Botanic Garden, Begonia House have reached $25 million, with $7.8 million budgeted until 2027.

Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson, James Ross, said:

“Rates are so high that people can’t afford to stay in their actual houses, and the Council is locking in millions of dollars for a great big greenhouse. Where are the priorities?

“The Council can’t keep kicking the can down the road. Even whilst the project’s treading water, it’s costing ratepayers nearly $100 for each and every single household in the city. If the full project goes ahead, more than triple that.

“Reducing how often the plants get cycled out isn’t nearly good enough, especially given the Council has already wasted $318k on project management since July and is estimated to need another $2.64 million for a glazed roof alone. Wellingtonians need smaller rates bills, not a slightly bigger cafe.

“Every option needs to be on the table to fix Wellington Council’s financial shambles. If even ones like this aren’t obvious candidates for the scrap heap, then ratepayers can’t hold out much hope.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is responding to comments made by the head of New Zealand’s delegation to COP 29, Todd Croad, who is suggesting additional pathways of climate reparations for the Vanuatu government to be paid by New Zealand taxpayers.

Commenting on NZ’s decision to sign a $4million taxpayer funded bailout for Vanuatu, Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes, said:

“Instead of providing services for the people of New Zealand, MFAT has decided to ship boat loads of taxpayers’ money overseas to Vanuatu.”

“Not only do taxpayers appear to be on the hook for $4 million dollars of climate reparations, but the comments made by Mr. Croad discussing additional ‘pathways’ to forfeit more New Zealand tax dollars to Vanuatu are both out-of-touch and disrespectful to hardworking taxpayers.”

“Kiwis shouldn’t be responsible for picking up the climate reparations tab when New Zealand contributes less then 0.1% of global carbon emissions while large emitting countries such as China and the United States aren’t paying a dime.” 

Following reports in the Otago Daily Times this morning that Dunedin Railway is being subsidised by ratepayers to the tune of nearly $550 per passenger, Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes said “Andrew Simms is bang on the money. This gravy train needs to end.”

“If Dunedin Railways’ finances have gone off the rails, ratepayers can’t keep getting stuck with the bill. At some point, we have to pump the brakes.”

“Dunedin ratepayers have been smacked with a 17.5% rates hike just this year alone. Ratepayers can’t afford to keep coughing up freight-loads of cash for council vanity projects.

“The message to the Council is clear - dump the money pit, and let ratepayers keep more of their money.”

The latest Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll for November shows National up 3.9 points on October’s poll to 38.8%, while Labour gained 1.2 points to 31.5%. This represents a rebound for National from last month and the highest result for Labour in 17 months.

The Greens are down 1.1 points to 9.3%, while ACT are down 1.2 points to 8.5%.New Zealand First is down 1.1 points to 6.5%, while Te Pāti Māori are down 0.5 points to 2.5%.

The full poll results can be found here on the Taxpayers' Union's website here at https://www.taxpayers.org.nz/poll_nov2024_cutunz

For the minor parties, Outdoors and Freedom are on 1.3% (up 0.8 points), whilst the combined total for other parties is 1.7%.

This month's results are compared to the last Taxpayers' Union – Curia poll conducted in October 2024, available at https://www.taxpayers.org.nz/oct2024_poll

Based on these results, National are up four seats on the last poll to 48, while Labour gains one to 39 seats.

The Greens are down two seats to 11 while ACT is down one to 11 seats. New Zealand First are down one seat to 8 from the last poll, while Te Pāti Māori remains on 6.

The combined projected seats for the Centre-Right is up two from the last poll to 67. The combined seats for the Centre-Left is down one to 56.

On these numbers, National and ACT would require the support of New Zealand First to form a government. This calculation assumes that all electorate seats are held.

A summary of the results, including preferred Prime Minister scores, are available on our website here: https://www.taxpayers.org.nz/poll_nov2024_cutunz

Major Voting Issues – Appearance in Top Three

The Taxpayers’ Union is again publicly releasing the results of the “Major Voting Issue – Top 3” – which suggests that voters consider the Cost of Living the most important issue. The number of voters putting Health in their top 3 has dropped significantly.

37.9% of respondents named the Cost of Living as one of their top three issues (up 1.4 points), followed by the Economy more generally at 31.1% (down 2.6 points) and Health at 27.4% (down 8.1 points), Law and Order at 19.1%, Education at 18.0% and Treaty at 16.9%.

Get the full report – join the Taxpayer Caucus

As part of the same poll, favourability data for party leaders and other notable politicians is collected monthly. This month, results were obtained for Labour’s Finance Spokesperson, Barbara Edmonds, and Willie Jackson as well as Labour’s Leader, the Prime Minister, and the coalition parties’ leaders. All of these results are detailed in the full Taxpayers’ Union-Curia Poll report made available exclusively to members of the Taxpayer Caucus

Hi 

A lot to cover this week: we expose yet another Government department's wasteful spending, #FactCheck Radio NZ on its [dis]reporting of a poll, plus a campaign win.

And, we reveal November's Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll.

But first, what happens when you threaten to expose MPs' spending rorts?

Parliament hits the panic stations, but eventually accepts 'Open the Books' submissions 🔥🚨

Last week we asked supporters to back our campaign to Open the Books at Parliament and bring MPs' spending into line with Ministerial spending and open to the public.

We were delighted that 18,397 backed the campaign and made a submission at OpenTheBooks.nz in just five days.

Plus, more than 200 have asked to present orally to the Select Committee and ask MPs to their faces why they think taxpayer-funded expenses should remain hidden. 

It wasn't smooth sailing, first Parliament banned email submissions, so we printed them out to take down to Parliament. It took five of us to carry them all, and stacked up they were taller than Jordan. 

Watch the video over on Facebook.

Suddenly (when it looked like they might have to do some work!) the Select Committee Officials were very happy to accept a digital copy of the responses after all. What a surprise!

This fight's not yet won, but if the reaction by MPs is anything to go by, we have certainly made a splash.

Yoga retreats and vegan platters? Stick it on the taxpayers' tab 😂🧘🥕

MPs aren't the only ones living it large on the taxpayer tab. In just six years, bureaucrats at the Ministry for the Environment blew north of $2 million on staff retreats, planning summits, and team-building workshops. 

Now we're all for team building here at the Taxpayers' Union, but what's wrong with a quick round or two of minigolf? At the Ministry, it seems putt-putt golf has been replaced with golf resorts – at least in terms of budget...

Back in 2018/19, the budget for staff jollies, sorry, training was $98,000. But by 2022/23 the figure blew out to more than $822,000. That's an eight-fold increase in just five years.

Right now, Ministers are readying their 'budget bids' (and nominations for saving money) as part of the annual budget process. No prizes for guessing a department we will be nominating for a haircut...

Media not giving context: Those "nasty cuts" you heard about on RNZ? More like paper cuts actually... 📝✂️

With more than 18,000 extra bureaucrats hired over the six years of the last Government, there's plenty of scope for the Government to cut spending and reallocate resources to front-line services.

The Department of Internal Affairs has listened to the Ministers' calls and decided to make some cuts in its latest reshuffle. 

The public sector unions and the media are upset about a restructure that results in a net reduction [checks notes] of just 17 jobs!

But they fail to give you the context: in the five years to June, the same agency increased their staff count by 477 roles. 🤦

Radio NZ #FactCheck – Do 65% of Kiwis really support a Capital Gains Tax? 🗞️

Last week, the IPSOS Issues Monitor survey results were released, including on whether New Zealand voters want some form of capital gains tax. 

We raised our eyebrows when we heard Radio NZ's Guyon Espiner putting it to Prime Minister Luxon that "recent polling showing [that] a majority supported a capital gains tax".

Here's the write-up that got us thinking:

That certainly doesn't match the polling we've had conducted. So we did an investigation of what was behind Radio NZ's claim.

If you don't like the answer, change the question... 👀

It's actually quite clever, albeit extremely misleading. Because Radio NZ can't find a poll to back their campaign in support of reporting on introducing a Capital Gains Tax that supports their "unbiased" position, they've combined the number of voters who supported any particular kind of tax on capital gains!

So they asked in the poll whether the voter supported introducing a capital gains tax on:

(a) investment property;

(b) the sale of a business;

(c) the sale of other assets; or

(d) the sale of the family home

Radio NZ then summated the responses (i.e. you only needed to support just one to count as supporting 'a capital gains tax') to produce a highly misleading claim that "two-thirds" of voters support a capital gains tax!

The question is also highly misleading.  Because of the bright-line test, a capital gains tax already applies for investment properties bought and sold within a defined timeframe, property bought with an intention to sell it, and for those who deal in property.

Let's apply Radio NZ's methodology 😂

As ever, your humble Taxpayers' Union strives to be helpful to our friends in the media. Let's look again at those poll results:

57% support a CGT on investment property.

43% support it on the sale of a business.

22% for the sale of other assets.

Only 13% support a CGT on the sale of a family home.

In the same way Radio NZ interpreted the above, they could just as easily run the line to Mr Luxon that "recent polling shows that 90 percent of Kiwis oppose a capital gains tax"!

And by the way...

Just to break the media narrative further, our own polling shows that only 29 percent – less than one in three Kiwis – wants to see a capital gains tax increase the overall tax burden. Even those who do want a capital gains tax want to see other taxes cut or abolished to compensate.

Very clearly, the takeaway from this is that the vast majority of Kiwis think they're already taxed enough. It would be nice if the media reflected it.

BREAKING: New Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll: National bounce back, but Labour keep climbing 📉📊

This month's exclusive Taxpayers'' Union-Curia Poll is here.

National is up 3.9 points from October to 38.8 percent while Labour is up 1.2 points to 31.5 percent. The Greens are down 1.1 points to 9.3 percent, while ACT are down to 8.5 percent (-1.2 points). New Zealand First is down 1.1 points to 6.5 percent while Te Pāti Māori is down 0.5 points to 2.5 percent.

Translating this into seats, National is up four seats on last month to 48 while Labour is up one seat to 39.

The Greens are down two to 11 while ACT is down one on last month to 11 seats. New Zealand First is down one on last month to 8 while Te Pāti Māori is unchanged on 6.

On these numbers, the current coalition would be able to form a Government with 67 seats, compared to the Centre-Left bloc's 56.

As a follow-up to last month's release of our "Major Voting Issue - Top 3" results, there's been a major swing this month.

37.9 percent of respondents named the Cost of Living as one of their top three issues.  However, Health fell 8.1 points down to 27.4 percent, putting it in third place behind Economy more generally at 31.1 percent.

See the results, including preferred Prime Minister, on our website here.

Your Taxpayers' Union needs you! 🫵🥸

The team here in Wellington are like truffling pigs, digging through the Government's books rooting out all the waste we can find. Some of the biggest stories we've broken over the years have come from you guys.

If you have a tip you'd like to share with us, we want to know about it!

Our tipline is completely anonymous. But the work we do here wouldn't be possible without the help of people tipping us off to the worst excesses of waste in Wellington.

So if you're reading this and have any info to share, just point us in the right direction and we'll bring the waste to light. Happy hunting!

That's all for this week, on to the next one!

James Ross Policy and Public Affairs Manager New Zealand Taxpayers' Union

National is up 3.9 points to 38.8% from October while Labour is up 1.2 points to 31.5%. The Greens are down 1.1 points to 9.3%, while ACT are down to 8.5% (-1.2 points). New Zealand First is down 1.1 points to 6.5% while Te Pāti Māori is down 0.5 points to 2.5%.

For the minor parties, Outdoors and Freedom is on 1.3% (+0.8 points), TOP is on 0.9% (-1.6 points), and Vision NZ is on 0.4 (+0.1 points).

Stuff reported yesterday that Wellington City Council has already begun tearing up recently completed roadworks on Thorndon Quay, to remove raised safety platforms.

“We could see this planning failure coming, half of Wellington saw this coming, so how didn’t the Council? Do Council staff not talk to each other?” said James Ross, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at the Taxpayers’ Union.

“Businesses along Thorndon Quay didn’t want these business-destroying roadworks in the first place, and now they have to go through it twice. If the Council’s plan is to reduce traffic by destroying Thorndon Quay as a shopping destination, then they’re well on their way.”

“When the decrepit pipes under Thorndon Quay go bang in the near future, the roadworks are getting dug up yet again. The Post called this ‘utter madness’, but that doesn’t go far enough to explain this gross incompetence. If this is the best the Council can muster, it’s no wonder ratepayers’ bills are tripling.”

The Taxpayers’ Union agrees with the Labour Party’s assertion that the Ministry of Social Development’s recent decision to stop publishing weekly updates on benefit numbers "stinks of a cover-up”.

Commenting on the attempt to sweep critical details under the rug less than a month after a record 392,211 people were reported to be on a main benefit, Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes, said:

“Minister Louise Upston’s decision looks like a deliberate attempt to sweep critical details about the effectiveness of serious amounts of spending from the public eye.”

“The public were rightly sceptical of the reasons for the previous Government sweeping health details under the carpet. Once again, Ministers seem far too quick to put their political interests ahead of facing up to harsh realities.”

“The Government can’t just turn off the scoreboard once they don't like the score. It’s time for Minister Upston to come clean, reverse her decision, and return to weekly updates.”

As the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill’s second reading has been postponed this week, “the Government might finally be seeing sense”, said James Ross, the Taxpayers’ Union’s Policy and Public Affairs Manager.

“Carbon-copies of this bill have been tried overseas, and the results have been disastrous. Ask Canadians who can no longer access news through Facebook what they think of the Online News Act.”

“The only options it leaves for tech firms are to either pull out of New Zealand or be exposed to near-unlimited liabilities. Clearly someone in the Beehive has cottoned on to the fact these tech companies aren’t bluffing.”

“A pause is good, but this Bill needs to be scrapped. National knew before the election bailing out untrusted media firms wouldn’t work, now that needs to be put into practice.”

Responding to Todd Stephenson MP’s calls for an end to taxpayer funding of political parties, James Ross of the Taxpayers’ Union said:

“As we said to the Justice Committee back in August, not a single Kiwi should be forced to fund a political party they disagree with against their will.”

“Ending the Broadcast Allocation would go a long way to solving this, and put $4m-per-cycle back into taxpayers’ pockets. But that only solves half the problem.”

“We’ve all heard about party-related spending like conference travel going straight on MPs’ expenses accounts. And you only need to look at a few party-political ads before you’ll spot the ‘funded by the Parliamentary Service’ banner. The rort goes much deeper than just the Broadcast Allocation.”

“Taxpayer funding of political parties won’t actually end as long as the Parliamentary Service isn’t covered by the OIA. 18,397 Kiwis submitted to Parliament demanding we open the books on MPs’ expenses, and the calls for transparency aren’t going away.” 

Following news yesterday in the NZ Herald on Wellington, the Taxpayers' Union can reveal through official correspondence that Christchurch City Council has also undercut Auckland's $1.3 million Christmas tree, $800k of which was funded by Auckland Council's targeted rates.

“For only four percent of the total cost, Christchurch has managed to undercut Auckland's spending, while ratepayers don't need to worry about losing their Christmas Bonus" said Local Government Campaigns Manager, Sam Warren.

“Purchased by Christchurch in 2023 for $43,990 and transported for $11,880 – the central city tree shows that bigger doesn’t always mean better. With an installation and take-down price of $8,000, the Super City is again being shown up.

"With Wellington spending around the same as Christchurch this year for three trees and decorations, Auckland needs to take a look at other councils' spending to understand value for money."

Commenting on former Tasman and Gisborne Council Chief Executive Lindsay McKenzie’s appointment as Crown Observer at Wellington City Council, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said:

“Some experienced hands to knock heads together at Wellington City Council won’t go amiss, but real cultural change is needed.

“Officers pulling strings behind the scenes has seen accountability melt away. That’s the real lingering blight on Wellington’s governance.

“Weakening democracy further by installing Commissioners will only make the issues worse. For Wellington’s sake, a Crown Observer can’t be the first step on this slippery slope.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is commenting on the recent news that Pure Tūroa will have to restart its consultation process to operate the Mt Ruapehu ski field. This comes after receiving $27.35 million from taxpayers over two years.

“Our comments eight months ago that the Government was throwing good money after bad, after bad, are truer now than ever” said Communications Officer, Alex Emes.

“The fact taxpayers have been on the hook for more than $27 million dollars, only to have it spent on a non-operational ski field, is the equivalent of setting money on fire.”

“The Government needs to put a stake in the ground and promise taxpayers there will be no more handouts towards this boondoggle.”

The Taxpayers’ Union’s Open the Books campaign has been calling for backbench and opposition MPs’ expenses - as well as Party Leaders’ budgets - to be covered by the Official Information Act.

“Why should MPs not be held to the same standards as Ministers? If you’re spending taxpayers’ money, the public need to see the receipts” said James Ross, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at the Taxpayers’ Union.

“More than 18,400 New Zealanders submitted their views to Parliament through OpenTheBooks.nz within the space of 5 days. The sense of outrage can’t be ignored.”

“MPs can’t bury their heads in the sand anymore. Kiwis know the expenses grift is completely unaccountable, and they’re demanding answers.”

“This is just the start. New Zealand’s Parliament needs to get with the times by fronting up to the public on what’s being chucked on the expense accounts, and this fight isn’t going away.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is asking “where does the buck stop” following Revenue Minister Simon Watts’ comments that IRD took “appropriate action” over its leaking of more than a quarter of a million taxpayers’ data.  Despite leading the Department, Watts’ has simply “expressed [his] disappointment” over the leaks.

Commenting on the Minister’s weak response, Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes, said:

“Minister Watts needs start to show up for the - at least - 268,000 Kiwis who are victims of IRD’s betrayal and incompetence.

“Does he not realise that he is the Minister in charge of the people who perpetrated this travesty? The people who have been affected need to see action, instead of the Minister’s ‘disappointment’.

“Heads need to roll, and the only acceptable answer is the Minister ensuring those responsible pack up their desks and look for a new job. It's time he remembered he was elected to represent the people of New Zealand, not just the IRD’s spin doctors.”

IRD’s data leak was far worse then feared with IRD’s admission that despite earlier public assurances that all taxpayer data provided to social media companies was “hashed”, officials had emailed an unencrypted spreadsheet of taxpayer data to Meta (owners of Facebook) containing sensitive taxpayer information of more than quarter of a million taxpayers.

“Only yesterday, IRD Commissioner Peter Mersi took a swipe at the Taxpayers’ Union and falsely accused us of ‘misrepresenting facts’. But just 12 hours later, we learn that in fact there as a mistake: IRD’s data leak was far worse than anyone had imagined.”

"Since we became aware of IRD using taxpayer information to run targeted social media campaigns, New Zealanders have been assured that it's all ok because the data was hashed.  They mislead the public about the protection that process provides, but at least it was something they could fall back on."

"Now they've come clean that it was a ruse all along. Unencrypted data was being sent by email from the IRD's social media team. It is beyond belief. Email is inherently insecure."

“Somehow, IRD’s data-protection is so bad, social media staffers are able to access information from the tax administration system. That alone is a blatant breach of trust for New Zealanders who must entrust IRD with their data.”

“IRD are trying desperately to down play this. They claim there is 'no risk of serious harm' when in-fact any foreign actor or sophisticated cyber criminal can easily penetrate a unencrypted email."

"This is the most serious breach of taxpayer information in the English-speaking world. None of our sister taxpayer groups are aware of anything near this scale or seriousness.”

“Commissioner Mersi’s comments to the media yesterday, political attacks, and lack of straight answers suggests that he has either been misled by his staff or is deliberately obfuscating the seriousness of the issue. Either way, heads must role.”

The IRD had been leaking taxpayers’ data to overseas tech firms in what Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, described as “shameful, and frankly it beggars belief that it is legal.”

“Even now, IRD Commissioner Peter Mersi is still refusing to front up to the millions of Kiwis his department has put at risk."

“Rather than saying IRD is ending the leaks because it was wrong to leak data, he’s blamed the Taxpayers’ Union’s campaign for drowning Inland Revenue in complaints from concerned taxpayers. Well we’re proud that the 9,000 of our supporters who wrote to the IRD demanding answers can claim this win.”

“Commissioner Mersi needs to stop burying his head in the sand, and explain to Kiwis how his department are going to clean up the mess of the data they’ve already leaked.”

“At the absolute bare minimum, we know 268,000 taxpayers have had their data leaked without even the skin-deep ‘protection’ of hashing. Heads need to roll over this.”

The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that the Ministry for the Environment has spent $822,362 dollars during just fiscal year 2023 on “internal events”. Since 2018/19, the ministry has spent more than $2 million. Yearly costs for internal events have gone up more than 8x since 2018/19 when annual costs were only $98,045. More details regarding spending details are available through the Taxpayers’ Union Official Information Act request.

Commenting on the exuberant costs, Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes said:

“While every business dedicates some money towards events, the fact the ministry has been jacking up their events budget during a time when Kiwis were told to stay home is another example of rules for thee but not for me.

“With the money they decided to fork out on events, they could have instead planted more than 2000 hectares of trees. At least that would have been an attempt to do their actual job of helping the environment rather than playing around in workshops, retreats and lavish events.

“The Ministry needs to come clean on what has led to this latest budget blowout scandal, and how they plan to reign in their bloated event bills. The Taxpayer tab needs to end at all departments, and that includes the Ministry for the Environment.”

For the first time, a Parliamentary Select Committee is blocking members of the public from emailing submissions on a Bill before Parliament to MPs.

Nearly 10,000 individual New Zealanders have used the submission tool at OpenTheBooks.nz to ask the Parliament Bill Committee to remove the secrecy provisions that protect MPs from transparency on how they spend taxpayers money on themselves and their offices.

Ministerial expenses are already subject to the Official Information Act, and the Taxpayers’ Union argues that the same should apply to opposition MPs, backbenchers, and Party Leader’s Budgets.

“Blocking Kiwis from contacting their MPs to demand transparency is nothing short of arrogant self entitlement” says Jordan Williams, a spokesman for the Taxpayers’ Union.

“We’ve in the past seen Select Committees try to treat thousands of emailed submissions as just one, or even try to ignore them entirely, but never have we had literally thousands of members of the public actually be blocked from contacting MPs.”

“Online submission builders are a common occurrence on both sides of the political divide all around the world. They make it easy for the public to ‘have their say’ and increase the accessibility of the political process.”

"For the avoidance of doubt, this isn't some petition or spam tool. Every submission sent is able to be edited, and is manually sent by a member of the public."

“We knew that many backbenchers and opposition MPs would be annoyed we are highlighting their precious secrecy and carve out of freedom of information law.  But to actually go as far as to block New Zealanders from sending emails to MPs is disgraceful.”

Submissions on the Parliament Bill close this Wednesday night. Regardless of whether the email block is lifted, the Taxpayers’ Union will print all submissions made at www.OpenTheBooks.nz and deliver them to Parliament.

The Taxpayers’ Union is launching a major campaign for Kiwis to demand MPs’ expenses no longer enjoy a special carve out from the Official Information Act.

"Submissions on the Parliament Bill close this Wednesday and we are encouraging taxpayers to make their voice heard at OpenTheBooks.nz," says James Ross, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at the Taxpayers’ Union.

"This campaign is to force MPs to justify why their spending should be a state secret when almost every other area of public spending is subject to public scrutiny. Government Ministers' spending is already covered by freedom of information laws, and it's about time opposition and backbench MPs were brought into line with normal practise overseas."

“In the UK, the expenses scandal blew the lid on widespread fraud – one MP even used Parliament's secret slush fund to clean a moat. Without transparency, we have no idea if the same sort of thing happening in New Zealand because non-Ministerial expense accounts and opposition party spending is a black hole."

"As it stands, the Parliament Bill actually opens up what MPs can spend taxpayer money on. For example, MPs won't even need their party leader's permission to pay for trips overseas."

"We say, MPs can't expect even more leeway to spend taxpayer money on themselves without the public having full transparency over every dollar."

The Taxpayers’ Union is weighing in on DIA’s ‘fat trim’ of 17 senior staff that were bringing home an average salary of $152,000. This comes after the bloated department has added 477 more bureaucrats in just 5 years.

Commenting on the relatively small cuts, Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes said:

“It’s nice to see that the DIA is starting to make cuts at the top by beginning with the crème de la crème of the bloated bureaucracy at DIA.

“While there may be cries from the DIA that they have been hard done by, the 17 bureaucrats that were canned were bringing home exuberant salaries. DIA has been taking taxpayers for a ride over the last number of years, so it is nice to see a turn in the right direction.

“However, more needs to be done to return the DIA bureaucrat bubble back to normality. The agency still has about 2700 FTE who continue to milk the pocketbook of taxpayers.”

Today’s Otago Daily Times reports that the government was advised of serious concerns about Waikato University’s ability to fund its contribution to the new medical school and with the assumptions used in the cost-benefit analysis that had been prepared. This advice, from the Tertiary Education Commission and the Ministry of Education, came two months before the government decided to progress the project to a detailed business case.

Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, stated that “it is concerning that the government may be progressing a substantial investment without a cost-benefit analysis based on sound assumptions and fully considered viable alternatives such as expanding the capacity of the two existing medical schools.”

“We share the reported concerns of Green MP Francisco Hernandez that the government may be cherry-picking evidence to predetermine the outcome it wants rather than being informed through an evidence-based process. There is no substitute for a robust cost-benefit analysis, and it appears this may not have been done.”

“It is our view that the government should pause the development of the detailed business case until it has completed a much more thorough cost-benefit analysis. The business case should only proceed if the Waikato option is realistically expected to be superior to expanding either or both of the existing medical schools. Anything less risks wasting taxpayers’ dollars.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on Health NZ to “control their catering cravings”. This is the second spending scandal involving conference catering in just over a week for Health NZ.

Commenting on the colossal $95,584 catering costs, Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes said:

“Once might be considered a mistake. But to have multiple of these meet and greets within one year is a belligerent effort to take advantage of taxpayers.

“The fact that the conference was exclusive to 400 Health NZ finance staff is truly ironic. How many Health NZ finance staff does it take to control a conference budget?

“Given that Health NZ’s books are in the bin, we are calling - once again - for Health NZ’s taxpayer tab to end.”

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through the Local Government Official Information and Meeting Act New Plymouth District Council has allocated $1,280,841 towards ramps and stairs for Fitzroy beach. This follows September’s news that Auckland Council spent $263,000 on four sets of stairs at Milford Beach.

"Accessibility, especially for the disabled, was obviously an important factor in the ‘Beach Street Access for all’ project by New Plymouth District Council” said Local Government Campaigns Manager, Sam Warren.

 “However, with virtually all beaches in New Plymouth being connected by the coastal walkway and fully accessible from other points – was this massive price tag to fix some stairs and build a ramp truly justified in such challenging economic times?”

“Like all councils projects, the job is sure to blow out in costs, and $1.2 million already seems to be a large estimate for a relatively small project. Ratepayers would be within their rights to demand a breakdown of costs in projects like this. Perhaps they will discover the ramp is gold plated!”

“With local rates already raised by 11.5 percent, the Council must justify not only each project but every dollar allocated within it.”

The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through the Local Government Official Information and Meeting Act that Otago Regional Council has spent more than $200,000 redeveloping its website, which has virtually been unchanged since 2017. While Council branding remains mostly unaffected, the redevelopment apparently has more features, and enhanced relationships with Mana Whenua.

“Otago seems to have outperformed most of its northern counterparts by spending $221,764.12 without shelling out another bundle on changing its logo or corporate identity" said Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers' Union, Sam Warren.

“Interestingly, the project contained $15,176.90 worth of local Māori engagement, which includes translation services and the integration of ‘Whakataukī’ – or Māori proverbs. Comparatively, the website testing phase cost Otago ratepayers a more modest $553.06"

"A few more features are well and good, but after looking at an indexed version of the council’s website from 2017, we aren’t actually convinced this project was much more than a vanity project footed by ratepayers.”

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling out Wellington City Council for the recent reports that they plan to blow $30 million on a new waterfront fence.

Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes, said:

“If the council can't build a fence at a reasonable cost, how does that fare for actually difficult projects like pipe renovation? A $7 Million budget is more than enough for some safety measures."

“Wellington’s waterfront is one of the hallmarks of the city, surely there were alternatives to ensure citizens safety instead of setting back Wellingtonian households $370 each to fence off the harbour from citizens.”

“Ratepayers across the city are facing tripling rates over ten years, and people are already having to sell the family home to make ends meet. This Council's fencing failure needs to stop.”

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through an official information act request that Sports NZ's "Say Thanks to Your Coach" campaign cost $171,598, with Sports NZ contributing $131,598 and Coach for Life contributing a further $40,000. The campaign featured a website for a month, which was used to send e-cards and video messages.

Sports NZ’s ability to somehow spend more than $575 per thank-you email takes the gold for government waste. For the $171,598 cost, Sports NZ could’ve bought 8,580 rugby balls. Instead, they sent a few pixels.

While the Taxpayers’ Union genuinely applauds the work of New Zealand’s volunteer coaches, surely someone at Sports NZ could dream up a more cost-effective way to thank them? For starters, they could’ve bought the 298 coaches fourteen crates of Speights each and still had change to spare.

Sports NZ need pulling into line, because clearly someone at the agency doesn’t care about delivering value for money. The only question that matters now is how will they be held accountable?

The Taxpayers’ Union is warning the government to “proceed with caution” after Nicola Willis’ comments about performance pay for public service executives.

Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes, said:

“While it would be a nice change to see bureaucrats paid just like the rest of us by pegging their pay to whatever value they provide, leaving the government to implement such an idea could go terribly wrong.”

“If the programme is drawn up to only top up and throw away more taxpayer dollars at the already bloated pockets of public sector chief execs, this decision would only increase the bureaucrat pay gap already crippling New Zealand.”

“While offering market-like incentives to start delivering value for the taxpayers’ money might improve outcomes, we also need to make sure underperforming bureaucrats’ salaries aren’t safe from being slashed.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on the New Zealand Transport Agency to “work on their negotiation skills” after documents were obtained from an Official Information Act request showing they spent $270,000 on design costs and $390,000 on installation for a 14 metre tall art sculpture outside a rest stop near Tekapo. The documents also show that more than $50,000 was spent on a piece of cultural panelling down the road in Burkes Pass.

Commenting, Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes, said:

“The first sentence on the NZTA’s website states ‘our primary function is to promote an affordable land transport system’.  Whichever bureaucrat approved this expensive piece of artwork needs to be reminded that this object is neither affordable, nor a land transport system.”

“Beauty might be in the eye of the beholder, but no one is stopping their car mid-journey just to see a 14m tall metal eyesore when the stunning Mackenzie Basin is in the backdrop. And the mountains didn’t cost the taxpayer hundreds of thousands to commission.”

“The Transport Agency can’t tell the public how much they’re wasting on questionable art across the country, because even they have no way of keeping track of the massive sums. Maybe if these bureaucrats focussed less on decorations and more on roads, our highways wouldn’t feel quite so much like the surface of the moon.”

Local Government Minister Simeon Brown is set to appoint a Crown Observer to Wellington City Council.

"With the city’s governance being at rock bottom, no one is surprised the Government felt the need to hold the Mayor’s hand” says James Ross, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at the Taxpayers’ Union.

“With both rates and the debt ceiling being lined up to triple, the capital’s finances are fit to blow. Something has to give, and someone to bang some heads together in the back office is sorely needed.”

“But this cannot be the first step towards undemocratic Commissioners. It is well past time to allow Wellingtonians the power to toss out the city’s incompetent leadership themselves, by holding recall elections.”

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal Napier City Council staff are required to work in the office just 60 percent of the time, and Chief Executive Louise Miller, only three days per week.

“In September, the Public Service Minister sent a loud message to civil servants that she expected them to return to the office, curtailing the Work from Home culture many bureaucrats have come to milk since Covid restrictions" said Taxpayers' Union Local Government Campaigns Manager, Sam Warren.

“There is no reason why local councils like Napier shouldn’t follow suit. Napier’s policy of working from home applies to about 554 council staff. By allowing a 60-40 split between office and home, Mondays and Fridays must look like an absolute ghost town.

“Louise Miller, on her $388,500 Chief Executive salary, needs to lead the charge on working onsite, and cut out the ‘show-up-when-you-feel-like-it’ mollycoddle that most private sector workers would disparage."

The IPSOS Global Infrastructure Index for 2024 reports that only 27% of New Zealanders are fairly or very satisfied with the nation’s infrastructure. However, only 17% consider we have a strong record of delivering infrastructure, putting us dead last with Hungary.

Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, stated that “everyone’s far too familiar with bursting water pipes and pot-holed roads, so these results come as no surprise. Central government has been distracted from the core investment that is vital to productivity and growth.”

“Chuck in a local government sector which can’t stop wasting resources on ‘nice-to-haves’ and the crisis only gets worse. Cost-control is just not in their lexicon, and where better sums that up than Wellington’s bike rack and town hall blowouts whilst half the CBD is submerged in sewage.”

“It’s no wonder we’re approaching the bottom 10% of OECD countries for the ‘bang for buck’ we get from infrastructure investment. Chucking more and more of the taxpayer’s money down the drain and hoping that fixes our infrastructure problems hasn’t worked.”

“There needs to be an urgent national conversation on developing metrics to measure the efficiency of infrastructure spending at both the local and national level. Without developing these, taxpayers and ratepayers will never know if their money is being well spent. You cannot manage what you do not measure.”

Following this weekend’s victory in Barcelona, Team New Zealand has expressed interest in the possibility of defending the America’s Cup in Auckland once more, saying ‘it’s not off the table’.

“Dalton and his team’s win has been nothing less than historic” said Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman, Sam Warren.

"But before any agreement can be made to bring the Cup home, a full and transparent cost-benefit analysis must done before any public funds are committed.

“Auckland is in a bad state, with virtually no money to offer financial support. The country itself isn't in much better shape, either. Both the Mayor and Minister for Sports seem to agree.

“Dalton and his backers have long been open about propping up the team themselves, but for the infrastructure required locally – and the remarkably short runway before the next series – it’s looking more likely that the Cup will be raced in Spain, or potentially the Middle East.

“Realistically the cost would be in the hundreds of millions, and we are simply not prepared right now.

“Back home, roads, hospitals and other infrastructure are falling apart. On the remote chance the America’s Cup does make a return to the Auckland Harbour, it's essential that full economic consideration is first given to demonstrate real value for money."

The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on Health NZ to “focus on the figures, not the food” after an OIA was published by RNZ disclosing more than $60,000 on catering for 300 senior management.

Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes, said:

“Senior Management at Health NZ need to focus less on feeding off the taxpayer tab and more on balancing the books. $32 per canape - was it caviar dusted with gold?”

“Who is in charge of the books? In a time when they are losing $147 million a month – spending more than $60,000 on catering is completely disrespectful.”

“It is quite sad to see how out of touch the people in charge of our health system have become. Savings need to be found – and it looks like senior management might be a good place to start.” 

Like rust, government waste never sleeps, and your humble Taxpayers' Union has been in the media this week exposing it.

We also fact-check an ACT Party brag, and have bad news if you're an ASB Bank customer.

EXCLUSIVE: Film Commission's $145,000 French soirée  🎥🇫🇷🍾💸

The Taxpayers' Union is not very popular down at the Film Commission thanks to our tipping-off the media about their latest junket.

The Film Commission consider their entire raison d'être is hobnobbing with the glamorous – after all, it's hard work convincing foreign media bigwigs to pleeeease take our taxpayer money film subsidies.

Hot on the heels of last week's Climate Change junket to Bonn, our investigations team this week revealed that just four hungry little bureaucrats from the Film Commission managed to chew through more than $145,000 on a single trip!

The junket, sorry, work trip to the Cannes Film Market (held in conjunction with the Cannes Film Festival) was taxing. Kiwi taxpayers laid it on, hosting booze-laden champagne parties for Hollywood bigwigs visiting the French Riviera.

Making Sir Les Patterson blush 🍾🥴

The Film Commission's business model, as best we can tell, is to fly around the world with an unlimited expense account, trying to soak producers in enough liquor and caviar that they agree to produce a film in New Zealand. 

And then if and when they do, New Zealanders get stuck with the bill for millions of dollars in film subsidies (with screen production grants forecast to cost us $86 million this year alone).

Arts Minister not impressed 🤨

Down at Parliament, all hell broke loose (we hear some MPs were livid they weren't invited!).

Media Minister Paul Goldsmith was more restrained, issuing a classic understated "not impressed" comment. He told the NZ Herald that the spending "does seem excessive" with his spin doctors saying "he'll have to get the details".

You didn't hear it from us, but we are reliably informed that the Beehive's political staff are seriously annoyed that the Film Commission didn't give their Minister a heads-up about the spending, or that the information had been released to the Taxpayers' Union.

We're here to help. 💁

ACT's Todd Stephenson was more to the point:

"The new Government had repeatedly emphasised the need for spending restraint, but the Film Commission – hardly a core government agency – doubled down on discretionary spending. In a single two-week blowout, four staff spent more than $24,000 on food and drink including fine French dining and dozens of bottles of wine and craft beer. In addition, $21,704 was spent on travel, $24,329 on accommodation, and $74,795 on ‘operational’ costs – including office rental and utilities."

“Browsing the receipts, obtained by the Taxpayers’ Union, is enough to make you sick."

Indeed.

Left-wing, taxpayer funded, arts listicle website The Spin-off  having a sook 🤭

You know you're on the right track when the luvvies down at the taxpayer funded millennial website The Spinoff are upset. 

Proving that they have a sense a humour (or are drunk on their own taxpayer funding?) they literally compared third rate bureaucrats plying film producers with booze to – wait for it – Prime Ministerial Trade Delegations. 😂

Jesus wept.

If you agree it's time to roll credits on the Film Commission click here to sign the petition. ✍️

CTRL+ALT+WOKE? Language Commission's blows $600k on custom te reo keyboards ⌨️⭐

Thanks to an insider tip-off at the Māori Language Commission, we've gone public revealing that at least $600,000 has been spent to develop customised Māori language keyboards.

The $600k was given straight to PB Tech to develop the keyboards. But here's the thing, PB Tech had been working on an identical project well before the Language Commission became involved (or offered a juicy cheque)!

This is a classic case of a government agency trying to jump aboard a private company's project to bask in the glory. PB Tech had already spotted a gap in the market.

PB Tech reckon there's potential big business in satisfying the bureaucrats who (like the Solicitor General) need Māori macrons on their keyboards to 'de-colonise' their computers. 

Without paying a cent, your humble Taxpayers' Union have managed to obtain a sneak peak at the latest keyboards the public service are rolling out...

Oh, and we say "at least" $600k because we understand (but have not yet nailed down) that PB Tech was just one of many companies the Māori Language Commission have been writing cheques to.

Ka pai 👏

We have to talk about Wellington City Council. Again. 🔥🚨🥱

While the Wellington City Council continues to drive itself off a cliff – for the rest of New Zealand, this soap opera needs to also come to an end.

The short point is the Council has no money and they can't borrow more. Thanks to a laundry list of unaffordable boondoggles by successive Mayors, Wellington ratepayers are already in line for a near tripping of rates over the next decade.

And with the u-turn on selling off the Council's stake in Wellington Airport, the capital's 'fiscal strategy' is about as steady as the Mayor is [allegedly] inspecting Courtenay Place's nightlife.

Writing in the NZ Herald, Ryan Bridge picked up on our sobering calculation that every household in Wellington is already paying $800 a year in interest on the Council's existing debt.

Triple that debt, watch the credit rating downgrade, and it's not hard to see how this soap opera ends...

Unelected Commissioner? Careful what you wish for... 👀 🏴‍☠️

As James said in The Post, while it's tempting to call on the Government to replace the Mayor and Council with commissioners, we saw in Tauranga, it "isn't some magic solution":

"When commissioners stepped into Tauranga, the city carried on sliding into ruin."

"There's a ready-made solution for getting rid of incompetent representatives: voting. The real problem is voters are only allowed a voice once every three years."

Clearly Wellington needs a change in leadership. We say a better mode for Government intervention would be to establish provisions for 'recall elections' as is common in local government overseas.

Back in 2020, we published a joint Proposal Paper calling for the introduction of recall elections across local government (read it here).

Even in Wellington's Green Party-dominated suburbs, confidence in Green Party Mayor Tory Whanau is gone. So give the voters the tools to hit the eject button. Problem solved.

The Kāinga Ora way: Pay for a mansion, get a dunga 🏚️🧱

Kāinga Ora (formally known as Housing New Zealand) has been tangled in scandal yet again this week.

They were slammed for spending over $1.2 million building each apartment in its Meadowbank complex. Worse still, add in the cost of the land and it's $1.7 million!

It's easy to put this down to the last Government's build it at any cost philosophy, but serious questions still need to be asked about what led Kāinga Ora to rack up $12 billion in debt (that's about six grand in extra government debt per New Zealand household).

On Newstalk ZB on Monday, our Local Government guru, Sam Warren, called for a Select Committee inquiry into the Kāinga Ora fiasco. An inquiry with the power to summon witnesses and demand answers is needed so that lessons can be learned.

We've also written to the Social Services Select Committee setting out the reasons they should take a good look. You can read that here.

FACT CHECK I: Have ACT actually cut Labour's bureaucrat bonanza? 😲

Last week, Taxpayer Update included a missive about how little the current Government has done to reverse the explosion in bureaucracy numbers. We said:

Despite all the crowing about "brutal" and "unfair" public service cuts in Wellington, we now know that there were still more bureaucrats in July 2024 than there were 12 months earlier!

There's a hell of a long way to go to sling out the extra 18,000 taken on under the last Government (see Connor's excellent visualisation that got us into trouble with Parliament's Speaker here).

And while the [taxpayer funded] spin doctors in Nicola Willis' Beehive office are keen to promote the 13 percent ($274 million) reduction in spending on contractors and consultants, the fact is the Government has cut less well paid (see below) pen pushers than Chris Hipkins hired in his last few months in office! Even the spin doctors couldn't omit the key figure: the Government has 421 more employees as at 30 June 2024 than 12 months earlier.

At about the same time, those cheeky spin doctors working in the ACT Party issued their own crowing newsletter and social media posts about how well they're doing. ACT included this graphic:

To our astonishment, some Taxpayers' Union supporters are also signed up to ACT's newsletter. A couple emailed in to ask who had it right. 

Fortunately the Disinformation Project can down tools: It turns out ACT aren't wrong per se in their graphic, but eagle eyed readers will see that ACT's graphic is a little selective in only going back to June 2022. And there's that convenient little squiggle in the y-axis. 🤨

Always here to provide you with full context, we fixed it. 💁

ACT are right to say that some progress has been made, but as shown by the latest batch of figures released by the Public Service Commission, there were still more public servants as at June this year than twelve months earlier.

Labour hired an extra 18,000 bureaucrats in their time in office. ACT and the other coalition partners in the current Government need to do more than scratch the surface.

Progress is good. 'Mission accomplished' would be better.

FACT CHECK II: 'Out-of-touch w banker of the week' 🏦💭

Not to be outdone by the 'you should pay a capital gains tax' ANZ CEO, New Zealand's top paid female exec – ASB Bank Chief Executive Vittoria Shortt – has joined the bandwagon to argue that you should pay more in tax!

“I think New Zealand has to really lean into taxes,” Shortt told Stuff's The Post. 

Apparently, we need to tax Kiwis harder to "invest more in the infrastructure". 

If Ms Shortt wants to pay more tax, then she can go right ahead and make a donation to the Government (the details on how to do that are here).

But Shortt should hit the books before she pontificates about infrastructure spending. The ASB Bank boss couldn't be more wrong in claiming New Zealand's infrastructure deficit necessitates ever higher taxes.

Our media response explains:

That's it for this week, have a great weekend. 😊

Jordan Williams Executive Director New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union

Record numbers of young Kiwis leaving the country for better economic opportunities overseas remains a serious problem not easily solved, economists warn.

“These kids need a reason to stay” said Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman, Sam Warren.

“Countries overseas are offering incentives to attract bright minds to settle, work and thrive in their economies. What is New Zealand doing to compete?"

“Digital Nomad Visas are being used in places like Bali to entice young tech experts, and the likes of Portugal are offering tax breaks for people under 35 to encourage locals to stay, build and invest in a life at home.”

“Back home, many young Kiwis are convinced they have no place. They are overtaxed, uninspired, and home ownership has now become a pipe-dream until well into their forties and fifties.”

“The only solution is for us to be laser-focussed on sustainable growth. Creating the right jobs and opportunities to convince our brightest that they do have a future in New Zealand. This won’t happen on its own, we need to see pro-growth reform – including tax cuts and full capital expensing – at the top of this Government’s priority list.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is calling the Public Service Commission’s recent figures posted in an RNZ article “a failure of the coalition to get spending back on track”. The figures show bureaucrat salary costs have increased to more than $6.5 billion, an increase of 5.3 percent.

Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes, said:

“This Government was elected on a promise to put the country’s finances ‘back on track’. However, after going off of these figures, their one year report card would have a big fat ‘F’."

“New Zealand is still seeing bureaucrats’ salaries balloon much quicker than growth in the private sector. We can’t afford to keep squeezing the productive sectors of the economy to funnel cash into the pockets of bureaucrats who are already failing to deliver value for taxpayers’ money.”

“It’s time for this government to stop pumping so much into armies of spin doctors, put the hardworking private-sector taxpayers actually providing for their paycheques first, and deliver on the promise they made to voters last year to put spending ‘back on track’.” 

Minister Simon Watts was quoted today in an article by RNZ saying that the tools used for anonymising sensitive client data are “completely irreversible.”

“IRD seems to be trying to pull the Minister’s strings by having him do their PR”, said Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes.

“The Hashing process used to protect data has been widely criticised for its reversibility by tech experts across the world, and has even been successfully reversed here in New Zealand.”

“Claims from Inland Revenue that they ‘continuously review their processes to ensure we are safe’ are a complete coverup. Had this actually been the case, they would not have leaked private client data to social media companies in the first place.”

“Minister Simon Watts needs to stop parroting the lines of bureaucrats, stand up for Kiwis and start holding the Inland Revenue Department accountable to the people they are supposed to serve.” 

Statistics NZ today released their latest figures for New Zealand’s Consumer Price Index (CPI). This dropped to 2.2%, which is within the target range of 1-3%.

Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said “that’s only half the story, and the inflation beast isn’t slain yet.”

“Domestic inflation is still around 5%, which is proof beyond doubt that the Government needs to go further and faster in slashing wasteful spending and balancing the books.”

“Let’s not forget it’s taken a Reserve Bank-induced per-capita recession worse than after the Global Financial Crisis to try and get inflation to these levels.”

“The ‘medicine’ the Reserve Bank dished out has battered the economy and Kiwi households. Now, with interest rates decreasing, there is hope for a recovery. But the Government must increase its efforts to reduce expenditure, live within its means and ultimately start paying down some of its spiralling debt.”

Queenstown cafes and restaurants have been rocked by a near 1500% increase to al fresco dining charges following a decision made by Queenstown Lakes District Council.

“After years of near impossible trading conditions, only now is the sector starting to get off its knees” said Local Government Campaigns Manager, Sam Warren.

“One restaurateur said, until now, he paid $3,200 each year to operate with tables outside his premises. Under these new changes, he is expected by council to cough up $51,000 each year in an industry already infamous for its razor thin margins.”

“The fee has not been changed since 2006 and, there was consultation on the possibility of an increase, there was no indication that on math that led to a far higher increase than what would have ever been considered reasonable.”

“Concerns have been raised over how this number has been calculated. The increase has been based on a percentage of the value of indoor rental rates – not just for hospitality businesses, but for all commercial properties, which have very different operating dynamics, in defined areas."

“No one is arguing that a fee should not be paid for using public space for dining purposes, but sensible minds will agree that it needs to be realistic. If council is really that keen on destroying local hospitality, my advice to them would be to keep doing what they’re doing.”

Nicola Willis' comparison of Wellington City Council to a butcher's slaughterhouse is demeaning to both the ratepayers of Wellington, and hard working, decent, blue collar butchers around New Zealand, says the Taxpayers' Union.

"Nicola Willis' comments on Newstalk ZB this morning were totally over the top. While Wellington City Council might be a sea of red ink, with blood up the walls, backstabbing and skulduggery, this sort of polarised rhetoric is not called for."

"Wellington's Town Hall might appear like a horror movie, but to call it a butcher's slaughterhouse is a step too far."

"Wellington needs adult, respectful, political leadership. Not blood curdling slurs.  Butcheries from the Hutt to Petone would be horrified to have their professions compared to the actions of the Mayor and councillors as a so-called 'shambles'."

Tauranga City Council has today faced backlash from local cafes and restaurants following changes to outdoor dining fees that would see further costs piled onto hospitality businesses offering alfresco dining options.

“It’s a table-tax, plain and simple.” said Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union, Sam Warren.

“Mayor Drysdale needs to dip his oar in the water and work with local businesses, not against them. Taxing them further into the ground is hardly the right thing to do.

“Owners are desperate for a reason to open their doors in the morning, and a meek gesture of temporarily waiving this table-tax until next year doesn’t scream optimism.

“This change has been justified under the guise of ‘fairness and consistency’ so that now every business gets its fair share of suffering. Or, if it’s footpath congestion Council is worried about, why not explore more constructive solutions?

“Burdened with forever-vanishing carparks, rising rates and insurance costs, this is one more nail in the coffin for a dying CBD and its neighbouring streets. This will be a real test for the Mayor to determine if he's comfortable rocking the boat, or rowing in the wrong direction.”

The New Zealand Taxpayers Union can reveal through an Official Information Request that $605,499 of corporate welfare was given by the Māori Language Commission to PB Tech for the development of Te Reo Keyboards.

Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes, said:

“Instead of using taxpayer dollars to improve the lives of Māori, the government is giving corporate handouts straight into the pockets of big business. Subsidising PB Tech with Kiwis’ hard-earned money is the equivalent of throwing taxpayer dollars in the bin.”

“Taxpayers have wasted more than 600k on an initiative that PB Tech had already started working on. Clearly the business case already existed without corporate welfare, so why are the public now on the hook for the costs?”

“If the private sector is already delivering or creating a product that the market demands, the public purse does not need to be subsidising it. PB Tech can more than afford to stand on their own two feet.”

As Central Government intervention in Wellington City Council seems to be getting more and more likely, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, warned commentators to “be careful what you wish for.”

“We’ve all seen this movie before. When commissioners stepped into Tauranga, the city carried on sliding into ruin. Replacing elected leaders with unaccountable bureaucrats isn’t some magic solution.”

“There’s a ready-made solution for getting rid of incompetent representatives: voting. The real problem is voters are only allowed a voice once every three years.”

“Recall elections would let Wellingtonians sling out their busted leadership without throwing democracy onto the sacrificial pyre. Central Government needs to step up, legalise democracy, and let Wellingtonians take their city back from the brink.”

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through the Official Information Act that the New Zealand Film Commission has spent $145,354.81 for just four staff members to spend two weeks in France attending the Cannes Film Market.

Receipts showed $24,329.08 in accommodation, $24,525.36 in food and drink, and $21,704.54 on travel.

Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said:

“Last year, the Taxpayers’ Union called out the Film Commission for wasting $73,000 at the Cannes Film Festival. Taking that as a challenge, this year they’ve blown more than double that at the Cannes Film Market.”

“Bureaucrats are no strangers to jetting off having fun at the taxpayers’ expense, but Film Commission staffers blow through cash like it’s going out of fashion. Kiwis struggling to put bread and milk on the table shouldn’t be forced to stump up for champagne and caviar.”

“Bear in mind that this was the same agency that was criticised in July for having four staff office parties in less than a fortnight, costing over $16,000. Living the A-lister party lifestyle and not having to pay a penny out of pocket, not a bad gig if you can get it”

“Even if plying Hollywood big wigs with taxpayer-funded champagne was successful in attracting a film production to New Zealand, Kiwis would still be on the hook for millions of dollars of film subsidies. Either way, taxpayers lose.”

“This entire agency's purpose seems to be corporate welfare and popping corks. It’s time to roll credits on the Film Commission.” 

The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on ASB Bank CEO Vittoria Shortt to put her money where her mouth is and make a donation to the Government given her call for New Zealanders to be taxed even more.

Stuff reports that Ms Shortt says “New Zealand has to collect more tax to invest in the infrastructure the country so desperately needs.”

“Ms Shortt needs to get out more,” says Jordan Williams, a spokesman for the Taxpayers’ Union. “The Infrastructure Commission reports that despite New Zealand spending a higher percentage of GDP on public infrastructure than Australia and the OECD median, we rank near the bottom of high-income countries for infrastructure efficiency.”

“Contrary to what the banker says, it’s not that we’re under-taxed or are under spending, rather it’s a productivity problem.”

“Since 2017 tax revenue to the Government increased by 59%.  Inflation over the same period was just 27%. The Government does not have a revenue problem – it already collects more than enough. The Government has a spending problem and has no metrics that it can use to evaluate the efficiency of the spending and whether it’s delivering value for money.“

“If Shortt is serious, we invite her to donate some of her reported $5million annual salary to the Government. Or did she only mean for her ASB customers to pay more?”

ASB Bank takes distinct position from Australian parent on bank excess profit tax

“We also note Shortt’s comments appear to contradict the views of her Australian bosses.” said Williams.

Six weeks ago the Commonwealth Bank chief executive, Matt Comyn, described a proposed excessive profits tax for Australian banks as “insidious populism” and labelled criticism of profitable businesses as “fact-free rhetoric” that is damaging trust in public institutions. (see https://www.theguardian.com/news/article/2024/aug/29/commonwealth-bank-ceo-labels-greens-tax-policy-insidious-populism-after-firms-98bn-profit)

“Is ASB saying that they support a tax on the extra-ordinary profits the Australian-owned banks are making on their New Zealand operations?  If not, why is what Shortt says is good for the goose, not good for the gander?” asked Williams.

The Taxpayers' Union is calling out Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger who admitted on TVNZ's Q&A that “I didn’t do what I promised” when asked about Christchurch’s recent rates hikes, but claimed, bizarrely, that it isn't a "broken promise".

Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes, said:

"Does Mayor Mauger live on another planet?  Not fulfilling a promise is the definition of breaking a promise. That holds true even in local government-land."

"When you stand on a promise to cap rates at 3-4 percent but then ram a 9.4 percent hike down ratepayers’ throats, that’s a betrayal to the people who trusted him with their vote. To claim otherwise is nothing short of gaslighting."

"Mayor Phil's credibility on rates is shot. He's opted to rate $4000 from every Christchurch household for a lavish stadium. He should at least own the decision.”

Kāinga Ora was slammed yesterday following revelations it spent $1.2 million per apartment build, as part of its new Meadowbank complex.

“This appalling cost warrants urgent review across the organisation.” said a Taxpayers’ Union spokesman, Sam Warren.

“A Select Committee is needed to determine what went so wrong, with powers to compel witnesses under oath. Accountability needs to be shown.

“This is either an example of the former Labour Government’s ‘build-at-all costs’ philosophy that saw Kāinga Ora rack up $12 billion of debt in just 5-years, or something even more insidious is going on within the agency.

“These revelations come less than one week after former Board member, Philippa Howden-Chapman, criticised the Government’s review into Kāinga Ora in her resignation letter, claiming the scrutiny would further exacerbate homelessness.

“We cannot allow thinly veiled attempts to exonerate accountability and stop improvements. It's critical that Kāinga Ora is both effective and sustainable. If we find ways to do more with less, more homes would be built – plain and simple. But when KO builds lower spec’d homes at unacceptably higher costs than other developers, something must be done.”

Lowest support for National in 15 months; highest for Labour in 16 months; in latest Taxpayers’ Union-Curia Poll 
 
The latest Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll for October shows National down 4.1 points on September’s poll to 34.9%, and Labour up 3.6 points to 30.3%. This is the lowest result for National in 15 months and highest for Labour in 16 mounths. 

The Greens are down 0.6 points to 10.4%, while ACT rises 0.9 points to 9.7%. 
 
New Zealand First are up 0.8 points to 7.6%, while Te Pāti Māori are down 2.0 points to 3.0%. 
 
The full poll results can be found here on the Taxpayers' Union's website here at https://www.taxpayers.org.nz/oct2024_polling 
 
For the minor parties, TOP are on 2.5% (up 1.4 points), whilst the combined total for other parties is 1.6%. 
 
This month's results are compared to the last Taxpayers' Union – Curia poll conducted in September 2024, available at https://www.taxpayers.org.nz/poll_sept2024 
 
Based on these results, National are down four seats on the last poll to 44, while Labour gains five to 38 seats. 
 
The Greens are down one seat to 13 while ACT is up one to 12 seats. 
 
New Zealand First are up one seat to nine from the last poll, while Te Pāti Māori remains on six. 
 
The combined projected seats for the Centre-Right has fallen two from the last poll to 65. The combined seats for the Centre-Left is up four to 57. 
 
On these numbers, National and ACT would require the support of New Zealand First to form a government. This calculation assumes that all electorate seats are held.   

A summary of the results, including preferred Prime Minister scores, are available on our website here: https://www.taxpayers.org.nz/oct2024_polling 

Major Voting Issues – Appearance in Top Three 

For the first time, the Taxpayers’ Union is publicly releasing the results of the “Major Voting Issue – Top 3” – which suggests that voters are considering health an increasingly important issue.  

36.5% of respondents named the Cost of Living as one of their top three issues (up 0.5 points from last month), followed by Health at 35.5% (up 4.2 points), the Economy more generally 33.7% (up 3.6 points), Law and Order 16.5%, Poverty 16.3%, and Housing 12.1%. 

Get the full report – join the Taxpayer Caucus 

As part of the same poll, favourability data for party leaders and other notable politicians is collected monthly. This month, results were obtained for Labour’s Deputy Leader, Carmel Sepuloni, and Megan Woods as well as Labour’s Leader, the Prime Minister, and the coalition parties’ leaders. All of these results are detailed in the full Taxpayers’ Union-Curia Poll report made available exclusively to members of the Taxpayer Caucus. 

Huge Taxpayer Update today.

NEW POLL (not good news for Luxon); boat sinking (not good news for taxpayers); Government books even worse than feared (not good news for those who wanted Nicola Willis to tackle the last Government's wasteful spending).

We do have some good news for your Friday though: Jordan's been digging into the Government's proposed replacement for the Resource Management Act, and it's looking promising. He sat down and interviewed one of the two MPs driving the effort (video of the interview below).

State of the Government books is a serious wake-up call ⏰

Yesterday, Treasury released the Financial Statements of the Government for the Year Ended 30 June 2024. It had about as much good news as your council rates bill.

As soon as the report landed, our team compared the actual numbers with the projections that were released back in May as part of the Budget. Are we doing better or worse than expected?

Only the fiscal sadists left the Treasury lock-up smiling.

Despite the change of Government, government spending continues to grow faster than revenue.

Our in-house Economist, Ray Deacon, sent a note around the campaign team and interns last night. I couldn't have put it better:

To give some perspective on the situation, take a look at how key elements of the Core Crown account have changed since 2016/17. This is the part of government that covers the core policy ministries and operational departments but excludes crown entities, state-owned enterprises and mixed ownership entities.  Consumer price inflation over the period amounted to 27.2%.

Audited data doesn't lie. The Government does not have a revenue problem – it already extracts too much – it has an expenditure problem! Whilst the current Government cannot be held entirely accountable for the current state of the government accounts, it will be accountable for not quickly improving the situation going forward.  Only a much more rigorous examination of government expenditure and deletion of entire programmes (especially the corporate welfare handouts) can hope to achieve the strong fiscal consolidation that Sir Bill English achieved post the global financial crisis and which got New Zealand back into surplus.  Leaving it to officials to decide where to make cuts won’t work – Ministers must make these decisions and remove any obstacles in their way.

There endeth the sermon.

Ray also highlighted the issue with the deficit spending being "structural", according to Treasury officials. That means that even when the economy bounces back, the books are still not expected to return to surplus.

There needs to be a fundamental shift in fiscal policy if New Zealand is to avoid what happened in the mid-80s and then again in the early 90s: the government running out of money.

He's green, he's hungry, and he's now coming for the kids 👀

Nicola Willis is borrowing a million bucks an hour to keep New Zealand Wellington afloat.

That's even faster than the rate Grant Robertson borrowed.

The times of cheap money are over. This year interest payments will amount to more than $9.2 billion – that's $4,622 for your household (and every other household in New Zealand)!

That’s the same as what the Government will spend on primary schools, secondary schools and the Ministry of Justice combined.

So rather than paying for a scary movie this weekend, just head on over to the Official Debt Clock.

It's running hotter than ever.*

*note Debt Clock figures track government debt in real time rather than as at 30 June.

Job losses in Wellington? What job losses? 🤷

Remember how the Government was going to sack those 18,000 extra bureaucrats Labour hired in the last three years of its reign? Well, yesterday, there was another set of figures being released by the Public Service Commission (ironically, just across the road from the Treasury lock-up at No.1 The Terrace, in the Reserve Bank Building at No. 2, The Terrace).

Sir Humphrey reported as being 'safe and sound'... 😮‍💨

Despite all the crowing about "brutal" and "unfair" public service cuts in Wellington, we now know that there were still more bureaucrats in July 2024 than there were 12 months earlier!

There's a hell of a long way to go to sling out the extra 18,000 taken on under the last Government (see Connor's excellent visualisation that got us into trouble with Parliament's Speaker here).

And while the [taxpayer funded] spin doctors in Nicola Willis' Beehive office are keen to promote the 13 percent ($274 million) reduction in spending on contractors and consultants, the fact is the Government has cut less well paid (see below) pen pushers than Chris Hipkins hired in his last few months in office! Even the spin doctors couldn't omit the key figure: the Government has 421 more employees as at 30 June 2024 than 12 months earlier.

Nicola fought the blob, but the blob won?

...and rather well paid 🏝️

And buried in the Public Service Commission data:

Remuneration: The average annual salary for public servants was $101,700, a 4.6 percent increase on the previous year. Increases were higher at the lower and middle salary levels driven by the Public Service Pay Adjustment and incremental change. At the other end of the scale, there were more modest increases, with average salaries for tier 2 managers increasing 2.1 percent. Private sector average earnings increased 4.0 percent over the same period, according to Stats NZ's Quarterly Employment Survey.

For comparison, $83,824 is the average wage for the same year ended 30 June (Stats NZ).

New Zealand's longest "real" recession 😧

There was some celebration this week with the Reserve Bank cutting the official cash rate (the main driver of interest rates) down to 4.75%.

But if you think it'll be enough to fix the economic woes, I have an Interislander ferry to sell you. As James put it in his comments to the media:

“High interest rates have caused a bigger per-capita recession than the one experienced in the wake of the Global Financial Crisis, and the backsliding of Kiwis’ living standards doesn’t look set to stop any time soon.

“Growth is the only answer, and slashing interest rates could be the first step in the right direction. But the risk of long-term damage hasn’t gone away, and the Government needs to work to make sure this OCR cut pays off.

“Domestic inflation still hangs at 5.4% thanks to the reckless previous Government’s overspending. The current Government must double down on any efforts to cut wasteful expenditure, and any savings should be used to start chipping away at anti-growth tax policies like one of the highest corporate tax rates in the developed world.”

The media like to talk of "technical" recessions (that is, two successive quarters of negative growth). But the real number is always per capita growth. If the population grows faster than the economy, we're still getting poorer.

On that per person measure, New Zealand is in the longest recession since records began. Ouch.

From one shipwreck to the next... 🚢🤔

The HMNZS Manawanui went down this week, seemingly hitting a reef and sinking off the coast of Samoa. Thankfully, everyone escaped with their lives and only taxpayers were seriously injured ($100 million of Royal Naval taxpayer assets disappeared below the waves).

Quite rightly there will be a Court of Inquiry to work out what went so wrong. But a Court of Inquiry is not enough. Unlike civilian judicial proceedings, the public has no rights whatsoever to observe the Court of Inquiry or even know the findings.

It may not be about blame (the Taxpayers' Union is not interested in a pile-on against the Captain) but we say New Zealanders are entitled to know whether the Navy is incompetent or just cursed.

Courts of Inquiry operate in secret because much of their matters relate to national security and military discipline.

But let's get real, the Manawanui was fighting coral, not commies. It should be an open court process determining what went wrong.

Defence Minister Judith Collins should be ensuring taxpayers are not left in the dark so that we know for sure that this wasn't just an Interislander-style "left the autopilot on" SNAFU. 

New Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll: lowest results for Nats in 15 months 📉📊

That's not the only bad news for the Government this week, as our hot-off-the-press poll revealed today.

National is down 4.1 points to 34.9 percent from last month while Labour is up 3.6 points to 30.3 percent.

That's National's lowest number in 15 months, and the highest Labour have been in the polls for 16 months.

The Greens are down 0.6 points to 10.4 percent, while ACT are up to 9.7 percent (+0.9 points). New Zealand First is up 0.8 points to 7.6 percent while Te Pāti Māori is down 2.0 points to 3.0 percent.

For the minor parties, TOP is on 2.5 percent (+1.4 points), and no other parties polled above 1.0 percent.

Translating these numbers into seats in Parliament, National is down four seats on last month to 44 while Labour is up five seats to 38.

The Greens are down one to 13 while ACT is up one on last month to 12 seats. New Zealand First is up one to nine while Te Pāti Māori is unchanged on six.

On these numbers, the current coalition would still be able to form a Government, holding 65 seats to the centre-left bloc's 57.

For the first time, we are also releasing data on "Major Voting Issues – Top 3" usually reserved for our "Very Important Taxpayers" who support the Taxpayers' Union most generously.

We've made it public because it shows what might be driving the changes in this month's poll: Health has seen a surge in voters' priorities (now second), and with the difficulties the Government has had with this portfolio, could it be this which is hitting the National Party's ratings?

36.5 percent of respondents named the Cost of Living as one of their top three issues, followed by Health at 35.5 percent, the Economy more generally on 33.7 percent, Law and Order on 16.5 percent, Poverty on 16.3 percent, and Housing on 12.1 percent.

MfE & MFAT climate change high flyers: Chucking taxpayer money onto the 'Bonn-fire' 🔥🇩🇪

Regular readers of Taxpayer Update will know that we like to follow those hard working big-spending officials who are selflessly fighting climate change one business class flight at a time. 🍾

One civic-minded public servant's tip-off to the Taxpayers' Union led us to go digging into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), the Ministry of Primary Industries, and Ministry for the Environment's joint jaunt work trip to Bonn, Germany, for the UN's latest Climate Change conference.

Over the course of just a few days, the New Zealand delegation managed to blow more than $150 grand catching-up with their equivalents from around the the world.

And that's just what MFAT would tell us! Officials refused to say how much was spent on entertainment, food or drink (and if anyone's familiar with diplomats' expenses, you'll know they're not afraid to pop a cork or two). Either there's so much it is in fact 'too hard', or they just don't want you to know. Sounds like quite the party...

Speaking to the Platform James said:

"You've got all these bureaucrats at the minute saying they can work from home just fine, and use Zoom to join their meetings."

"But they can't do the same when there's a free trip on offer."

[click to watch]

Bang on, James.

Some good news this Friday: RMA reform imminent 🎉

The Resource Management Act is New Zealand's largest regulatory tax. No other piece of legislation does more to keep New Zealand poor and our living standards down.

When the RMA was introduced in 1990 it was seen as "world leading".  We shouldn't have waited 34 years to get the hint when no one followed!

Last week I sat down with one of the two MPs who are shepherding the next generation of land-use, planning, and environmental management law.

ACT's Simon Court has been head-down with Minister Chris Bishop on what comes next. For those interested in RMA reform, their "joint speech" is well worth the read.

Credit where credit's due, these reforms are looking to be a huge win for New Zealand.

If what the Government announced earlier in the month holds firm, we are on the cusp of a huge win for New Zealand and our future living standards. Freeing up New Zealanders from the type of 'command and control' central planning model will likely be the biggest thing the Luxon Government is to be remembered for. It is akin to the removal of import licences back in the 1980s.

So after seeing the speech, I asked Simon Court to come into our office and discuss the Government's workstream on replacing the Resource Management Act. 

Simon Court is the Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister for Infrastructure and the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform. First elected in 2023, prior to this Simon worked as a civil and environmental engineer with 23 years experience across the public and private sectors.

You can get this episode over on YouTube, or listen to the audio version over on our website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or iHeart Radio.

One more thing...

The Taxpayers' Union is made possible by the thousands of supporters who share our vision for a prosperous New Zealand with efficient, effective, and accountable government.

Your support means we can keep the lights on – as well as keep the pressure on Wellington on behalf of you – the taxpayer.

Thanks for making the work possible.

Have a great weekend! 😊

Jordan Williams Executive Director New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union

The Government has released its financial statements for fiscal year 2024 yesterday. Its financial statement saw a 1.8% increase in net core crown debt and interest charges (total charges more than $10 million dollars) despite higher tax revenue. They assert the higher levels of revenue were caused from ‘higher levels of inflation’.

Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes, said:

“This is not a good look for this government’s first financial statement. They were elected on a promise to deliver real tax relief during a cost of living crisis that hardworking Kiwis are facing every single day.

“The numbers show that, while everyday New Zealanders have been struggling to meet the new realities caused from inflation, this Government has profited more than $14 million dollars. This is proof that their July milk toast tax relief just wasn’t enough.

“During a time of increased profits on the backs of the working-class, the Government has increased spending even more than its predecessor. Instead of higher revenues, greater debt and more interest on the back of taxpayers, it’s time the Government turns the table and delivers meaningful tax relief.”

Councillors today voted not to sell the airport shares, in what Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, says “could be shaping up to be an incredible act of economic sabotage.”

“Wellington City Council has already breached its debt limit, and as the airport shares have not been sold, officers are now warning the debt ceiling might need to triple.”

“Wellington households are already paying more than $800 a year in interest on the council’s debt, not to mention more than four grand servicing central government debt. Now that bill is set to skyrocket even higher”

“The answer was clear. The airport shares had to be sold and the money used to pay down some of the massive debts on Wellington’s books.”

“It’s about time the council stopped treating ratepayers like an endless piggybank and made some big choices to start putting their finances first. Starting with selling the airport, then slashing wasteful spending on back-office staff and vanity projects like the ever-growing cycle network.”

Andrea Vance reports in The Post today on the horribly, messily complicated sale (or not) of Wellington City Council’s airport shares.

“Whilst the Council’s complete dysfunction is widely understood, these new developments, as reported by Vance, are deeply disturbing” said Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross.

“Vance reports that the two unelected mana whenua representatives, who do not sit on the full council where the vote will take place, are threatening to pull out of an iwi-council partnership over the vote. This is a blatant attempt to strong-arm elected representatives with the threat of feigned offence if the Council does not vote the ‘right’ way.

“But even worse, Vance reports that representative Holden Hohaia has a vested interest in the outcome as his iwi has aspirations in buying the shares. That should automatically disqualify him from having any input into the process or deliberations. It is therefore fortunate that he has no actual vote on the sale at the full Council. However, if Vance is correct, his threats are inappropriate and call into question the wisdom of having unelected representatives on councils or council committees.”

The Reserve Bank has today slashed the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 50 basis points, to 4.75%.

Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said:

“High interest rates have caused a bigger per-capita recession than the one experienced in the wake of the Global Financial Crisis, and the backsliding of Kiwis’ living standards doesn’t look set to stop any time soon.

“Growth is the only answer, and slashing interest rates could be the first step in the right direction. But the risk of long-term damage hasn’t gone away, and the Government needs to work to make sure this OCR cut pays off.

“Domestic inflation still hangs at 5.4% thanks to the reckless previous Government’s overspending. The current Government must double down on any efforts to cut wasteful expenditure, and any savings should be used to start chipping away at anti-growth tax policies like one of the highest corporate tax rates in the developed world.”

Health NZ’s predicted deficit by June 2025 has grown to $1.76 billion, ballooning from $1.4 billion only a few months ago.

Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes, said:

“Overspending by $147 million a month is staggering. It’s clear the centralise-at-all-costs model has blown up in our faces, and serious decentralising reform is needed to keep our health system afloat.

“Our health system is in crisis, and the Government need to stop tinkering around the edges. Taxpayers need answers on how things went so wrong, but there’s no longer any choice except to try and find drastic savings.

“The new Commissioner needs to be ruthless about putting spin doctors and policy wonks on the chopping block, before the whole house of cards tumbles down.”

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through an Official Information Act request that the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) has spent $9,957,895 co-funding EV chargers across the public service.

Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said:

“EECA funding half the public service’s EV charger bill is as ridiculous as it is useless, and it’s time to pull the plug on this nonsense. Whether its departments themselves or EECA funding these projects, it’s still taxpayers getting slapped with the bill.

“Back in August, we revealed the $2.2 million cost of the Ministry of Education’s EV charger escapades. We now know shockingly that pales in comparison to Health New Zealand’s around $8 million.

“Under the Emissions Trading Scheme, the Government could spend its entire budget on EV chargers and it wouldn’t reduce emissions by a single gram. This is subsidising already well-off EV drivers, taking people’s hard-earned money to waste on subsidising luxury travel.”

The New Zealand Defence Force-led inquiry to determine the cause of the HMNZS Manawanui’s sinking may be kept secret from the public.

“The reasons for the demise of the HMNZS Manawanui must be made known” said a spokesman for the Taxpayers’ Union, Sam Warren.

“The vessel itself was a $100 million asset to New Zealand and her strategic defence. Determining the cause of its sinking sits entirely within the public’s interest.

“Promises made by the Minister for a ‘short-and-sharp’ inquiry are only as good as the transparency that follows.

“Conjecture is running rampant on what might have caused such a costly loss to New Zealand. She was a 20-year old ship performing presumably a low-risk exercise. Was there a technical problem? Issues of poor procurement? Or was there something else that resulted in such a significant loss to the country?

“The Defence Force must reveal as soon as practicable the cause of this disaster so that the public can have confidence this will not be repeated."

Following yesterday’s strategy meeting, TVNZ has proposed outsourcing its daily operations and shutting down the 1News website and app in an attempt to find $30 million dollars in savings.

Commenting on this, Taxpayer’s Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes, said:

“It’s nice that TVNZ is finally looking to cut costs and start showing an interest in cleaning up the financial boondoggle they have got themselves into.

“However, the timing of this announcement begs the question ‘why didn’t they decide to save $30 million earlier?’. Had they acted sooner, the public purse wouldn’t have needed to bear the brunt of TVNZ’s $85 million loss this year.

“This cut-cutting exercise is evidence they are running a failed business model. With the company burning through cash and now unable to deliver the services it is supposed to be providing New Zealanders, it’s time the government sells TVNZ before this fiasco gets even worse.”

Following news that Tasman District Council would remove a number of newly installed speed bumps after receiving backlash from locals, the Taxpayers Union can reveal through the LGOIMA  that the total cost of construction and deconstruction was $42,664.

"Councillors need to take a hard look at themselves when it come to this kind of waste” said Local Government Spokesman for the Taxpayers’ Union, Sam Warren.

“It shouldn’t take immense public backlash for Council to decide that these speed bumps were a bad idea to begin with.

"Before starting work on moving kerbs to make space for more cycle lanes, Tasman Council needs to think about its mistake. The costly construction and ultimate removal of the speed bumps is an easily avoided blunder.

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through the Official Information Act that the Ministry of Primary Industry (MPI), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFAT) and Ministry for the Environment (MFE) collectively spent more than $150,000 to send ten staffers to the Bonn Climate Conference. This cost covered travel, accommodation and meals amongst other spending.

With MFAT refusing to fully release costs due to time constraints, the cost to taxpayers will almost certainly be higher than this.

Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said:

“Bureaucrats will take any excuse to hop on a plane for a holiday. In this case, ten staff hopped off to Germany at a cost to the taxpayer of 15 grand each. It seems like some staff spend more time overseas than they do in the office these days.

“That’s without even touching on the irony of logging nearly 230,000 miles combined in air travel - including legs in business class - to talk about how other people should reduce their emissions. As always. it’s rules for me and not for thee.

“New Zealand already has a world-beating way of reducing our emissions through the Emissions Trading Scheme, although ironically international air travel is one of the few things not covered by the ETS. If these bureaucrats want to put their money where their mouths are, they need to put away their suitcases, attend by zoom and save the taxpayer some money whilst they’re at it.” 

The New Zealand Taxpayer’s Union can reveal through information obtained from an Official Information Request that ACC has spent more than $251,000 contracting The Research Agency (TRA) to administer a monthly survey tracking public engagement and trust.

Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes, said:

“ACC wasting over a quarter of a million dollars on a run-of-the-mill survey shows what happens when you give bureaucrats bottomless budgets to work with. There’s not a chance waste like this would be signed off in the private sector.

“Putting aside the fact that ‘monitoring external engagement’ has little to do with ACC’s actual job, they’re not even doing this well. For the sake of a survey targeting only around 6,900 over the space of a year, $250k that should have been spent on solving real health issues is now in the pockets of some very lucky consultants.

“Taxpayers don’t expect their hard-earned money to be blown on bureaucratic exercises that do nothing to reduce injury rates or improve services. ACC needs to focus on what it was created for, not frivolous projects that don’t serve the public.”

The NZ Herald has released a story regarding Health New Zealand’s recent $934 million deficit for fiscal year 2024.

Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes, said:
 
“These recent figures highlight the financial mismanagement that occurs at Health New Zealand. With news like this, taxpayers are absolutely in their right to demand answers.
 
“It’s not as if this $934 million deficit wasn’t preventable. Parts of this deficit include $193 million of expired Covid-19 stock, having almost 4400 staff over budget at a cost of $406 million, and finding $40 million ‘less’ in savings.
 
“These results demonstrate how major reform is needed at Health New Zealand. Their current trajectory of overspending more than $130 million per month is unsustainable. If this keeps up, they will be over $1.3 billion in the hole next year.
 
“While they may blame unreceived funding, the reality is that they aren’t providing a responsible, value-for-money service. It’s time for Health NZ show some respect to the people paying the bills and start to do a better job of balancing their books.”

Wellington City Council officials have provided figures suggesting that the council’s debt limit could triple if it does not sell its stake in Wellington International Airport.

“Doubling down on the city’s financial crisis is not the answer, and residents can’t take more punishment”, said James Ross, spokesman for the Taxpayers’ Union.

“Last year, each household in Wellington paid over $800 just to finance their council’s spiralling debt. That’s on top of more than four grand they paid in interest on central government debt.”

“And with rates also tripling over the next decade, there’s no more money to wring out of ratepayers.”

“The only answer is to cut the council’s ludicrous spending on waste, start paying off the debt and lower the debt ceilings to stop this happening again. If selling off the airport shares is what it takes to do that then councillors need to step up and do the right thing.”

The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through the Official Information Act that the Reserve Bank has spent more than $2 million on its digital cash programme so far. The ongoing project explores the introduction of an electronic currency, and has an approved total budget of $4.7 million.

“Someone needs to tell the Governor to stick to his knitting” said Policy & Public Affairs Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union, James Ross.

“Inflation has been outside the RBNZ’s target range for 40-months now, meanwhile Adrian Orr has been busy playing about with digital cash. 

“The Reserve Bank has failed to do its actual job for years. What about their performance has ever suggested that giving them millions of dollars to chuck away on pet projects would lead to a useable, secure and cost-effective outcome?

“More than $2 million dollars have been already spent on consultants, and not one person has thought to ask ‘how much will a digital cash actually cost New Zealand?’ or ‘has this worked anywhere else?’

“Even more concerning is that the true cost of the programme comes to a much higher figure when wages are included for RBNZ employees involved. While they would not provide us with specific salaries, we can work from the mid-point for their salary bands, which adds a further $1.3 million to the overall project cost so far.

“The Reserve Bank needs to quit playing around with expensive side-projects and return its core focus towards fighting inflation.”

From 2023, ACC started charging levies on Kiwis’ income who live overseas, sending 4,300 of these levy invoices in the 2023 tax year alone.

Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said:

“If you’re living overseas and working overseas, you pay taxes on your income overseas. That’s how it works for most of the world, unless of course you’re a Kiwi where you could get the luxury of having two governments rifling through your pockets.

“Why should Kiwis living overseas be forced to stump up thousands of dollars a year for services they don’t use?

“In countries like the UK, tax residency means living in the country for over half the year. In New Zealand, you get stung if you so much as pop back into the country for a few weeks a year to see the family.

“Perhaps if ACC stopped wasting money on new-age, untested nonsense and got back to focusing on care that works they wouldn’t feel the need for this double-tax rort."

Andrea Vance’s reports in The Post on the latest ructions concerning the potential sale Wellington City Council’s shareholding in Wellington International Airport Limited, where council staff had been posting information supporting the sale on the council’s social media channels and website.

Council chief executive Barbara McKerrow finally ordered the posts to be removed, but not before past and present councillors accused officials of playing politics.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesman, James Ross, stated “officials wading into a highly-charged political debate by propagandising for one side is deeply concerning. This is a live issue that’s still in need of a vote by elected councillors to resolve.

“But worse than that, councillors are saying these posts are using financial information the councillors themselves have been denied access to. Once again, councillors are being expected to try and govern the city blind, whilst officers play puppet-master behind the scenes.

“This is beyond unacceptable, and serious questions need to be asked about who’s actually running Wellington City Council. Officers have no right to dictate to elected representatives what information they’re allowed to see and when, and they need bringing to heel before the city spins further down the pan. Wellington is not Barbara McKerrow’s personal fiefdom.”

The Taxpayers’ Union – along with a hundred or so local members and supporters – presented the Hastings District Council new council chambers today in the form of a “Bouncy Council” (bouncy castle) to reflect the Mayor and councillors who are acting like children in appointing teenagers as voting members of Council Committees.

“Councillors and the Mayor are acting like children at the very time Hastings needs some adults,” Jordan Williams, the Union’s executive director said. “This is a Council having to rebuild after Gabrielle and imposing a 19% rates hike this year alone.”

“Luckily for the adolescents on the Council, Sandra Hazlehurst has been blowing more than enough hot air to inflate the five metre-high bouncy castle, with plenty spare to keep the bubble machines going.”

“On the very slim chance the Mayor missed the giant pink unicorn bouncy castle, the hundred Hastings residents turning out in the middle of a workday (and on only a few hours’ notice), and the bubble machine, it serves as a warning shot that ratepayers are sick of being taken for a ride.”

“Councillors need to get back to business, send the kids back to school, and focus on delivering value for ratepayers’ money.”

“Unfortunately the Mayor refused to front. She was probably taking a nap, or didn’t want to disturb her play time.”

The Taxpayers Union can reveal through the LGOIMA that Stratford District Council has received $344,558 for two new crossings from NZTA – with $96,230 spent on traffic management alone, and further work is required, the overall cost is set to rise.

“When ratepayers say they are unhappy, elected members must start listening or face a very difficult election result" said Taxpayers' Union Local Government Campaigns Manager, Sam Warren.

"When the mayor says its 'now or never' and is met with calls of 'never' from the council gallery, there's a very big problem when it goes unheeded.

“The June 30 cut-off for NZTA’s 'low cost, low risk safety improvement' fund has resulted in a rushed money-grab by council. One Stratford Councillor made the suggestion for a delay, which was met with applause by locals.

“As the slush fund from the previous Labour government dries up, and the country's debt remains high, councils must focus on their core activities over expensive nice-to-haves.”

The Taxpayers' Union is telling Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst to 'grow up' after she used her casting vote to give committee voting rights, and a salary, to members of the Hastings District Youth Council: school-aged kids.

"We vote for a mayor and councillors to be adult decision makers and here they are literally outsourcing to kids," says Jordan Williams, a spokesman for the Taxpayers' Union.

“This move is either a sign of utter ineptitude or a cynical move to manipulate young people so that the political balance on the council is shifted. Either way, it is utterly disgraceful."

"It's bad enough being a so-called 'youth councillor'. These school age, clipboard-bearing loners are now going to be introduced to the ratepayer tit before they're even old enough to have paid rent on a flat, let alone seen a rates bill."

"Let's get real. It's a thinly-veiled move by left-leaning councillors to stack council committees with even more idealism and inexperience.  Using kids for political leverage needs to be called out for what it is."

“It's also undemocratic. These children have no democratic mandate or accountability. It's a blatant attempt to 'screw the scrum' by cynical politicians and grifters."

"Local government is in crisis and instead of the adults prevailing, Mayor Hazlehurst is inviting kids with, at best, year 10 business studies, to cast votes on governance matters of an organisation with total assets of nearly three billion." 

“And what are the parameters of the Mayor's anti-democratic logic? Surely the senile and bewildered sitting in Hastings' old folks' homes should be represented too. Perhaps Grey Power should get a seat at the table? It's nonsense."

“If the councillors that supported this masquerade had a shred of decency, they would have gone to a referendum – because residents have woken up to news that literal 15-year olds are making decisions on things they know nothing about."

"Will these well-paid kids front up and be accountable to ratepayers? Or is this just a charade of politicians using kids for political ends. Time will tell."

Disclosure: Jordan Williams is a former Hastings District Youth Councillor.

Stuff this morning reported that bureaucrats who may now need to show up to work due to Nicola Willis’ new working guidelines are feeling the pinch and complaining that the directive now puts them in a position of being financially worse off.

Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ Union Communications Officer, Alex Emes, said:

“Bureaucrats complaining about having to show up to work exposes their double standard. The fact that many of them admit the need for people to be in the office yet are complaining about the need for them to have to show up is a classic example of ‘rules for thee but not for me’.

“Taxpayers don’t pay bureaucrats full-time salaries for part-time work, but that’s clearly what they’ve been getting over the last few years. Labour’s 18,000 extra hires still managed to deliver worse services across the board, and it’s no coincidence quality dropped like a stone when bureaucrats started spending their days sitting around in their dressing gowns.

“If they want to be called “public servants”, then they should understand that maximising their productivity is what the public need from them. Taxpayers shouldn’t have to fork out extra to fund bureaucrats’ lifestyle choices.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is calling out ANZ NZ CEO Antonia Watson for what appears to be calculated comments to promote a capital gains tax to benefit home lenders and fuel New Zealand’s residential property money wheel.

“New Zealand’s low wage economy is a direct result of under-capitalisation of the private sector and too much money going into unproductive assets and family homes,” said Jordan Williams, a spokesman for the Taxpayers’ Union.

“Antonia Watson knows that full well, but also knows that every capital gains tax that has ever been promoted in New Zealand excludes the very family family home that ANZ makes most of its profits from.”

“The reason Watson is promoting a capital gains tax is so families are even further incentivised to park their nest eggs under the roofs of their family home.  That is terrible for New Zealand but great for ANZ’s bottom line and bankers’ bonuses.”

“Taxes on capital hurt investment, and they incentivise the very capital New Zealand needs to grow our standards of living to move offshore. A capital gains tax would hurt everything except the very residential property investments that ANZ makes so much coin from.”

“Watson’s self-interest is so brazen she even hid it under a veil of ‘fairness’. Predictably, RNZ swallowed it hook, line, and sinker.”

“This sort of gall nearly deserves admiration. It’s probably why the former Morgan Stanley banker pockets $1.9million as a salary.”

“If CGT proponents don’t really think these comments are calculated to help ANZ’s bottom line, and that we saw for the first time in history a bank CEO championing a policy for ‘fairness’, I have a bridge to sell them.”

Political pundits across the country spat out their coffee this morning upon turning to the NZ Herald's front page splash that Andrew Coster "speaks out on being dragged into political debate".

"Andrew Coster is either trolling the nation or has the self awareness of a paperclip," said Jordan Williams of the Taxpayers' Union.

"Coster has overseen an enormous pivot by the NZ Police towards politics and advocacy. Back in June, the Police Commissioner's alter-ego, one Andrew Coster, was doing media rounds advocating for the Government to change alcohol regulations."

"For someone now crying tears about being 'dragged into political debates', it is weird that he was literally leading Morning Report just a few months ago in advocating for minimum pricing of alcohol."

At the time, the Taxpayers' Union labelled Coster 'a constitutional barbarian' in that he was blatantly ignoring the long-held constitutional convention that Police - especially leadership - enforce the law, not lobby to change it.

"Coster has given the middle finger to the conventions he was supposed to protect. No wonder the new Government hasn't been able to express confidence in him."

"It is a sad reflection on New Zealand and our public sector that the only way the Government has been able to move Coster along, is to park him in a cushy job in another government department. His lack of judgement shows he should be no where near a leadership role. Cabinet Ministers know that but have gone along with yet another fudge orchestrated by the Public Services Commission.  For those that want our public service to succeed, it is deeply depressing."

The Parliament Bill – an omnibus bill making a series of reforms aiming to modernise Parliament’s operations – has passed it’s first reading.

Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said:

“If the Government’s talking about dragging New Zealand’s Parliament into the modern age, then why aren’t we seriously discussing making the Parliamentary Service subject to the same transparency rules as the rest of the public sector?

“For too long, MPs and their staff have been able to live it large on taxpayer dollars thanks to their secret expense accounts. Despite being the people paying for all their champagne and caviar, there’s nothing Kiwis can do to find out how MPs are wasting their money.

“It took leaked stories of MPs putting duck houses and moat cleaning on the expenses tab to blow the lid on the UK’s Parliamentary expenses scandal. New Zealanders shouldn’t just have to sit around waiting for leaks from disgruntled ex-staffers before they can demand some accountability from their MPs.”