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  1. Hastings Councillor Damon Harvey a ratepayer hero, Mayor Hazlehurst is the villain

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling for Hastings District Councillor Damon Harvey to be reinstated in his committee chair role and the councillors to instead hold a vote of no confidence in the Mayor following revelations that he was stripped of his role after acknowledging the existence of a...

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  2. Taxpayers’ Union Offers to Design Government Department Logos for Free

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is offering to redesign logos for any renamed government departments for free in an effort to save taxpayers money following concerns that requiring a name change of government departments will give them an excuse to undergo an expensive rebrand.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“Taxpayer-funded organisations will...

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  3. MPs in Depth: Todd Stephenson

    This week marks the return of our MPs in Depth series where we get to know some of Parliament's new MPs. In this episode, Taxpayers' Union  Investigations Co-ordinator, Oliver Bryan, sits down with newly elected ACT Party MP, Todd Stephenson. Todd grew up in the South Island and obtained a law degree...

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  4. REVEALED: Grant Robertson’s Rugby World Cup jaunt sets taxpayers back almost $40,000

    The Taxpayers’ Union can today reveal that Grant Robertson’s attendance at the Rugby World Cup final in Paris cost taxpayers $39,605. Included in the cost was more than $32,000 in business class flights and more than $5000 in accommodation costs for the Minister and his staffer.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns...

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  5. Winston Peters is bang on with media trust

    The Taxpayers’ Union is backing the Deputy Prime Minister’s criticism of the media’s acceptance of so-called “public interest journalism” funding and is calling on all profitable media outlets to pay the money back via a petition at www.taxpayers.org.nz/pay_it_backTaxpayers' Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, said:“The issue was never about bribing...

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  7. There Must be Accountability for a Reserve Bank Failing to Do its Job

    Responding to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s decision to freeze the Official Cash Rate (OCR) at 5.5%, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said:“Times are tough for Kiwi families, and that’s not going to change anytime soon. With the Reserve Bank still failing to hold inflation to...

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  8. Serious allegations from Nicola Willis require Government Inquiry

    Taxpayers will be alarmed that the Minister of Finance has said the new Government has discovered “nasty financial surprises” despite Ruth Richardson’s Fiscal Responsibility Act that was specifically designed to avoid the exact situation the new Government appears to be in.“Ms Willis is not prone to Winston Peters-style...

    Read more about Serious allegations from Nicola Willis require Government Inquiry

  9. Taxpayers’ Union - Hamilton City Council Should Target the Pencil Pushers Before Cutting Maintenance

     Responding to reports on Hamilton City Council’s cost-cutting measures ahead of threats of massive rates rises, with notable reductions to spending on road maintenance, landscaping and storm water drain cleaning, Connor Molloy, Campaigns Manager at the Taxpayers’ Union, says:“It is commendable to see a council which, faced with rising costs...

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  10. National Party U-Turn Will See Kiwi Families Punished by Stealth Tax Hikes

    The National Party’s admittedly soft touch promise to index income tax brackets to inflation every three years has failed to make it into either of their coalition agreements.Indexation would ensure that working New Zealanders keep paying the same in tax in real terms, and the abandonment of this...

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  11. Christchurch Ratepayers Ought to be Appalled by Council Overspend at Three Waters Department

    Responding to news that Christchurch City Council’s Three Waters department has overspent by $6.5 million on staffing positions since July of 2019, while the council is warning of double-digit rates hikes in the next Long-Term Plan, Taxpayers' Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, says:“The Christchurch City Council needs to regain the...

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  12. Coalition agreements reflect election promises - now to delivery

    The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming today’s Coalition Agreements as reflective of what kiwis voted for last month, and an endorsement for reform.Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams said:“If we have learned anything from the last Government it is that words are not enough - it is delivery that...

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  13. Environment Canterbury Decides to Retain Democratically Unaccountable Councillors

    Regional council Environment Canterbury has voted against introducing Māori wards for the 2025 elections. Instead, they have opted to retain the current system featuring two unelected appointed councillors with full voting rights.Responding to this, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, commented:“Whether a council has Māori wards or not...

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  14. Christchurch Council Won’t Reveal Whether it’s Covering Up Failures at Ratepayers’ Expense

    Christchurch Chief Executive Dawn Baxendale is leaving her role without working a contractual 6-month notice period. This follows a period of poor performance marked by rock-bottom resident satisfaction and high staff turnover.A UK Government-ordered report shows that Baxendale’s tenure at Birmingham City Council was marked by similar council...

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  16. RNZ Chief Executive should be taking a pay cut, not a massive bonus

    According to RNZ’s latest annual report, Chief Executive, Paul Thompson, received a $65,538 bonus and a $13,628 pay rise for the 2022/23 financial year despite RNZ failing to meet its key performance targets and running an operating deficit of $739,000.Responding to this news, Campaigns Manager Connor Molloy said:“By...

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  17. Wellington Council Officials Must Face Consequences for Concealing Information

     Responding to revelations that Wellington City Council officials withheld an in-depth KPMG report into Wellington’s financial positions for months, giving councillors just 2 days to review the document before the Long-Term Plan meeting, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said: “Yet again we have Wellington City officials getting too...

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  18. All Flake and No Filling – Taxpayers’ Union Finds Mt. Messenger ‘Pieday Friday’ Scheme Half-Baked

     Responding to reports that Waka Kotahi is estimated to be spending up to $500,000 on a ‘Pieday Friday’ scheme for workers on the Mount Messenger Bypass, Connor Molloy, Campaigns Manager at the Taxpayers’ Union, says:“Waka Kotahi is yet again splashing taxpayers’ hard-earned cash as much as it pleases at a...

    Read more about All Flake and No Filling – Taxpayers’ Union Finds Mt. Messenger ‘Pieday Friday’ Scheme Half-Baked

  19. Rau Paenga Needs to be Upfront with Documents, Not Play Cloak-and-Dagger with Christchurch Residents

     Responding to news that crown infrastructure delivery agency, Rau Paenga, is yet again opposing the release of documents concerning their legal battles over the money pit Metro sports centre project in Christchurch, Connor Molloy, Campaigns Manager at the Taxpayers’ Union, says:“It’s bad enough that the Government is pursuing this white...

    Read more about Rau Paenga Needs to be Upfront with Documents, Not Play Cloak-and-Dagger with Christchurch Residents

  20. Taxpayer Update: MPs' big pay rise 💰📈 | Health system failures 👩🏼‍⚕️🤢 | Proposed land grab 🏝️🤏

    With both Callum and Jordan away today, the mantle of leading the fight on behalf of taxpayers has been left to me. As we play the waiting game for coalition negotiations, the Taxpayers' Union is still hard at work exposing extravagant waste and demanding accountability. In this week's edition, we...

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  21. Brand Over Budget: Hastings Council's $70,000 Logo Splurge

     The Taxpayers' Union can reveal that the Hastings District Council has spent over $70,000 on its recent rebranding initiative. A staggering $46,512 was allocated to "Strategy & Creative" for the logo's design and development, with an additional $19,850 for signage guidelines development."It's both startling and disheartening to witness such...

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  22. Kāpiti Coast Councillors Need Reminding What Democracy Looks Like

     Responding to Kāpiti Coast District Council’s plans to ignore the results of a local consultation and push through the creation of a Māori ward regardless, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said:“Democracy is a fragile thing, and it is not for councillors to decide how they are elected....

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  23. All Revved Up with No Trucks to Show: Hydrogen Project Gaslights Taxpayers

     The Taxpayers' Union can reveal that a $6 million taxpayer-funded hydrogen truck initiative has failed to deliver a single truck, despite promises that they would be on the road by 2022.Oliver Bryan, Investigations Coordinator at the Taxpayers’ Union, expressed dismay, stating, "It's an affront to taxpayers that a project...

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  24. Transparency Test Failed: Key Ministries Yet to Embrace Ombudsman's Tool

     Taxpayers’ Union OIA's reveal that despite the Chief Ombudsman's introduction of a self-assessment tool in July, aimed at enhancing public sector transparency and adherence to official information protocols, prominent ministries and agencies including Waka Kotahi, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Justice have yet to utilize it as of September. Oliver...

    Read more about Transparency Test Failed: Key Ministries Yet to Embrace Ombudsman's Tool

  25. Taxpayers’ Union calls for prosecution of person who played campaign song at polling booth

     The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on the Electoral Commission to prosecute and fine the individual or organisation responsible for playing Te Pāti Māori’s campaign song at a polling booth on Election Day under s 197 of the Electoral Act 1993.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“The Electoral Commission must come...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union calls for prosecution of person who played campaign song at polling booth

  26. Western Bay of Plenty Land Grab proposal an affront to the right to property

     The Taxpayers' Union is slamming the Western Bay of Plenty District Council's suggestion that the Government forcefully take ownership of private property from its residents without compensation and lease it back to them as part of a climate change managed retreat framework.Taxpayers’ Union National Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, says:"While coastal erosion...

    Read more about Western Bay of Plenty Land Grab proposal an affront to the right to property

  27. Further headaches for floundering public health system demonstrate the failures of centralisation

     Responding to two different reports published in the last week lambasting the struggles that the new Public Health Authority and National Public Health Service (Te Whatu Ora) are experiencing daily, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, says:“Taking health matters out of resident’s hands has proven to be a massive mistake, with the...

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  29. Chlöe Swarbrick’s pork barrel politics deserves criticism

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling out the Green Party MP for Auckland Central, Chlöe Swarbrick, for engaging in pork-barrel politics in relation to her calls for regulation and subsidies for the Waiheke Island’s ferry services.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“Waiheke Island is home to some of the wealthiest communities...

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  30. NEW POLL: National/ACT/NZ First hold Governing position, Luxon shoots ahead to become easily the preferred PM

    National is down 1 point to 37% and Labour is up 1 point to 28% when compared with the election result. ACT is down 1 point to 8%, the Greens are up 2 points to 14% and NZ First remains unchanged on 6%.The smaller parties are the Māori...

    Read more about NEW POLL: National/ACT/NZ First hold Governing position, Luxon shoots ahead to become easily the preferred PM

  31. Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL đŸ“ŠđŸ’Ľ | $200k Golden Goodbye for CEO 💸 | Adrian Orr's Bonus 💰 | The change that is needed

    Callum is taking a post election break this week (and he surely deserves it!), so I've taken the helm to fight for taxpayers as we wait and see what the new government will look like (and, more importantly, what pre-election promises are actually followed through on!).In this week's...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL đŸ“ŠđŸ’Ľ | $200k Golden Goodbye for CEO 💸 | Adrian Orr's Bonus 💰 | The change that is needed

  32. Taxpayers’ Union willing to work with Greens on member’s bill to end Beehive to Lobbyist revolving door

     Following revelations that Ministry of Justice officials are concerned that “[m]ovement between roles in government and lobbying agencies can result in misuse of privileged information and unfair access”, the Taxpayers’ Union is reaffirming its commitment to work with any MP, regardless of their party, to end the business...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union willing to work with Greens on member’s bill to end Beehive to Lobbyist revolving door

  33. Taxpayers’ Union calls on opposition to focus on good policy, not politics

     Responding to news that a range of new taxes, including wealth and capital gains tax, are back on the table as potential Labour Party policies, the Taxpayers’ Union is calling on them to focus on good policy, not politics.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“Taxes on wealth and capital are...

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  35. Taxpayers’ Union celebrates Taxpayer Appreciation Day

     The Taxpayers’ Union is today celebrating Taxpayer Appreciation Day to recognise the hard work of taxpayers who pay the bills of politicians and bureaucrats each and every day.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“This year’s Taxpayer Appreciation Day is bittersweet for the team at the Taxpayers’ Union. We admire and...

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  36. Taxpayers' Union Calls for Probe into Commission's Favouritism for 'SenateSHJ'

    The Taxpayers’ Union’s Investigations Coordinator, Oliver Bryan, strongly condemns the recent revelations regarding the Commerce Commission’s engagement with SenateSHJ, a public relations and lobbying firm. “The Taxpayers’ Union finds it utterly unacceptable that the Commerce Commission, a regulatory body entrusted with ensuring fair play in the market, has seemingly allowed...

    Read more about Taxpayers' Union Calls for Probe into Commission's Favouritism for 'SenateSHJ'

  37. Pipes Not the Only Thing Failing at Wellington City Council

     Commenting on the news that upgrading Wellington’s ageing and leaking pipe network could cost a billion dollars a year, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said:“After years of financial mismanagement, Wellington City Council claims that it cannot afford to maintain core services such as water infrastructure. Why then...

    Read more about Pipes Not the Only Thing Failing at Wellington City Council

  38. New Parliament must deliver comprehensive reform for a more prosperous future

    The Taxpayers’ Union congratulates the members of the new Parliament and is calling on them to immediately begin delivering on the mandate from voters by slashing spending, cutting red tape, and unwinding the damage of big, inefficient, and high-cost government.Taxpayers’ Union Head of Campaigns, Callum Purves, said:“Scrapping Three Waters,...

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  39. Taxpayers’ Union congratulates former Chair on election into Parliament

    The Taxpayers’ Union congratulates former Chair, and businesswoman, Casey Costello on her election to Parliament as a NZ First MP today.Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, said:“Those who have worked with Casey will know that she is an extraordinary woman. Hardworking, ethical, and principled, we are are delighted to...

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  40. Bureaucracy bloat continues – managers growing three times as fast as frontline staff

    The Taxpayers' Union is reiterating it's earlier calls for the need to slash the size of the Public Service following newly released workforce data from the Public Service Commission showing the number of public servants at its highest ever number and managers growing at three times the rate of frontline...

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  41. Taxpayer Update: We need to talk about Wellington 😕 | Bureaucracy blowout 🤓 | Grant Robertson's new job 🤫

    Things might have been a bit quiet in the world of politics as we await tomorrow's release of the final election results, but like rust, the waste and rot at town halls and in Wellington unfortunately never sleeps! In this week's Taxpayer Update, we tackle some town halls, and...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: We need to talk about Wellington 😕 | Bureaucracy blowout 🤓 | Grant Robertson's new job 🤫

  42. Dr Oliver Hartwich on how the incoming Government should reform the public service

    This week on Taxpayer Talk, Taxpayers' Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, sits down with the Executive Director of The New Zealand Initiative, Dr Oliver Hartwich, to discuss how the incoming Government should reform the public service. Despite a mandate for change and a desire to unwind many of the policies of the...

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  43. Cloak-and-Dagger Council Still Evading Public Scrutiny

    Commenting on Tory Whanau’s secret meetings with the US owners of Reading cinema which resulted in $32 million of ratepayers’ money being pledged to buying the land on which the building sits, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said:“Wellington City Council’s culture of back-room dealings and secret agendas...

    Read more about Cloak-and-Dagger Council Still Evading Public Scrutiny

  44. Competition to win All Blacks Tickets launched: Guess the cost of sending Grant Robertson to Rugby World Cup Final

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is launching a competition to win tickets to a 2024 All Blacks game with the winner being the person who makes the closest correct guess to the total cost to taxpayers of sending outgoing Sports Minister, Grant Robertson, to the Rugby World Cup final in Paris.A generous...

    Read more about Competition to win All Blacks Tickets launched: Guess the cost of sending Grant Robertson to Rugby World Cup Final

  45. Adrian Orr’s priorities demonstrate he is no longer fit for the job

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) Governor, Adrian Orr, to resign or be sacked following revelations of yet another engagement focused on issues completely outside of his responsibility of price stability.Orr’s speech on Friday at the Chapter Zero NZ breakfast will focus...

    Read more about Adrian Orr’s priorities demonstrate he is no longer fit for the job

  46. Councils Living Beyond Their Means Need to Stop Punishing the Ratepayer

    Commenting on news that Hutt City Council rates could jump by as much as 19.9%, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said:“When councils present the choice of either massive rates rises or swingeing cuts to frontline services, they are presenting a false dichotomy. Over the last decade, council...

    Read more about Councils Living Beyond Their Means Need to Stop Punishing the Ratepayer

  47. Government Overregulation Sees Latest Attempt to Lower Food Prices Crash and Burn

    Commenting on the collapse of grocery delivery start-up Supie, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said:“In a surprise to absolutely no-one, a company attempting to break the grocery duopoly’s iron grip over New Zealand has collapsed. As it stands, there is just no way for competitors to succeed,...

    Read more about Government Overregulation Sees Latest Attempt to Lower Food Prices Crash and Burn

  48. Taxpayers' Union Calls for Genuine Public Participation in Māori Wards Debate

     The Taxpayers' Union is pressing the Greater Wellington, Hauraki, and Whanganui Councils, and all other councils considering Māori Wards, to uphold the spirit of democracy by initiating referenda. Even if such polls cannot be legally binding under the outgoing government’s legislation, they provide an invaluable opportunity for local...

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  49. Taxpayers' Union Welcomes Chief Ombudsman's Report on Council Workshops

     The Taxpayers' Union endorses the recommendations made within the Chief Ombudsman’s report on council workshops. This investigation underscores serious issues, notably the confusion arising from varied terminology and the trend of workshops seemingly shrouded in secrecy.Oliver Bryan, Investigations Coordinator at the Taxpayers’ Union, said, "The findings of this...

    Read more about Taxpayers' Union Welcomes Chief Ombudsman's Report on Council Workshops

  50. Taxpayers the real losers from Grant Robertson’s Rugby World Cup final attendance

     The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming the decision of outgoing Prime Minister Chris Hipkins to send Grant Robertson gallivanting across the world to attend the Rugby World Cup Final in Paris, a decision that was also endorsed by incoming Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“While taxpayers are...

    Read more about Taxpayers the real losers from Grant Robertson’s Rugby World Cup final attendance

  51. Tail Wagging the Dog Again in Wellington City Council, Chief Executive Must Resign or Be Sacked

    Responding to news that Wellington City Council Chief Executive Barbara McKerrow had known for months that the town hall restoration project was $147 million over budget but decided to forego passing this information on the elected Councillors, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said: “For over 6 months, Wellington...

    Read more about Tail Wagging the Dog Again in Wellington City Council, Chief Executive Must Resign or Be Sacked

  53. Wellington Council’s Heritage Hang-ups Leave Finances Crumbling

    Responding to Wellington City Council’s approval of plans to spend up to $147 million more of ratepayers’ money on the city’s town hall, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said:“Whilst pipes are leaking, roads are crumbling and costs of living are climbing out of control, Wellington City Council...

    Read more about Wellington Council’s Heritage Hang-ups Leave Finances Crumbling

  55. Auditor General report highlights need for tough action from new Government on public service

     Responding to the Auditor General's comments in his 2022/23 annual report that “It is still too hard to to tell what New Zealanders are receiving for about $160 billion of central government expenditure each year, and whether or not this is value for money", Taxpayers' Union Head of Campaigns, Callum...

    Read more about Auditor General report highlights need for tough action from new Government on public service

  56. Christchurch City Council should look to trim the fat first before cutting key public services

     Responding to reports that Christchurch City ratepayers are staring down an 18% rate rise or significant cuts to key services so the Council can pay down $2 billion in debt, Taxpayers’ Union Head of Campaigns, Callum Purves, said:“As with many other councils across the country, Christchurch City Council’s excessive spending...

    Read more about Christchurch City Council should look to trim the fat first before cutting key public services

  58. Michael Reddell on the declining standards in New Zealand public life

    This week on Taxpayer Talk, Taxpayers' Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, sits down with economist Michael Reddell. Michael is a former Head of Financial Markets at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, has worked for central banks of a number of other countries and has been an Alternate Executive Director...

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  59. Taxpayer Update: Taxpayer-funded, anti-National 'sock-puppet' campaign | Cost of living poll | Winston Peters' right of reply

    With the final week of the election campaign nearly over, the race seems to be tightening. Two of this week's three major polls have the Centre Left bloc ahead of the Centre Right. So get your popcorn out; Saturday night could be a bumpy ride!Exposing sock-puppet electric car industry...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Taxpayer-funded, anti-National 'sock-puppet' campaign | Cost of living poll | Winston Peters' right of reply

  61. Wellington’s water crisis highlights the need for councils' wasteful spending to be reeled in

    Responding to news from Wellington Water that the Wellington region is losing the equivalent of 30 Olympic-sized pools in water every day due to decaying pipes, Taxpayers’ Union Head of Campaigns, Callum Purves said:“Historical failure to invest in key infrastructure may have led to this current water catastrophe, but unfortunately,...

    Read more about Wellington’s water crisis highlights the need for councils' wasteful spending to be reeled in

  62. NEW POLL: Kiwis oppose Government’s plans to strip planning powers from councils

    A new Taxpayers Union – Curia poll has found that 47% of Kiwis want planning powers to remain with local councils rather than be transferred to new regional planning committees made up of council, Government, and iwi and hapū appointees. With only 24% in favour of the Government’s RMA reforms and...

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  63. Charities Commission should deregister sock puppet group lying about benefits of EV subsidies

    The Taxpayers’ Union is raising the alarm about greenwashing by the Better NZ Trust – a taxpayer-funded charity – to promote the interests of the EV industry. The Trust is running a deceptive six-figure campaign across social media and billboards claiming – falsely – that the removal of...

    Read more about Charities Commission should deregister sock puppet group lying about benefits of EV subsidies

  64. NEW POLL: Kiwis overwhelmingly support inflation-adjustment of income tax brackets

    A new Taxpayers’ Union – Curia poll has revealed that 63% of New Zealanders support inflation adjustment of income tax brackets compared to just 14% who are opposed.There was majority support across every demographic (gender, age, area, economic status, and preferred political party).The Taxpayers’ Union has launched a new...

    Read more about NEW POLL: Kiwis overwhelmingly support inflation-adjustment of income tax brackets

  66. Taxpayers’ Union welcomes National’s commitment not to hike fuel taxes

    Commenting on National’s fuel tax commitment, Taxpayers’ Union Head of Campaigns, Callum Purves, said:“In the middle of a cost of living crisis, hiking fuel taxes – as Labour is still proposing – is morally wrong. Fuel taxes disproportionately hit rural and the poorest communities – such as shift workers – the hardest."Ruling out further hikes is...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union welcomes National’s commitment not to hike fuel taxes

  67. NEW POLL: Kiwis don’t believe Winston when he says he would not work with the Labour Party again

    A new Taxpayers' Union – Curia poll has found that most New Zealanders don't believe Winston Peters when he says that New Zealand First would not be willing to put the Labour Party back into Government. The poll asked: Do you believe Winston Peters when he says he would not work with the...

    Read more about NEW POLL: Kiwis don’t believe Winston when he says he would not work with the Labour Party again

  68. Performance Management Plans for Public Service Chief Execs Long Overdue

    Responding to ACT’s plans to allow ministers to be able to publicly issue key performance indicators for public service chief executives, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said: “For far too long, too many public servants have been taking the taxpayer for an easy ride. If any one of...

    Read more about Performance Management Plans for Public Service Chief Execs Long Overdue

  69. Pharmac Chief Executive Lacks Respect for Public Scrutiny, Unsuitable for Public Office

    Responding to news that Pharmac Chief Executive Sarah Fitt took part in a series of personal attacks against journalist Rachel Smalley, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said: “The strength of our democracy depends on the media being able to hold the government to account, and no public employee...

    Read more about Pharmac Chief Executive Lacks Respect for Public Scrutiny, Unsuitable for Public Office

  70. Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL 📊⚫️ | Hipkins: Our no. 1 fan ❤️🏆 | 'ESC' WellingtonNZ's NYC IT/PR bungle ⌨️🛫🍎

    There are eight days left until polls close, and we have a chockablock update for you this week.Your humble Taxpayers' Union has been travelling the length of the country towing the Debt Clock to highlight the high levels of Government debt. Right now Grant Robertson's borrowing amounts to...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL 📊⚫️ | Hipkins: Our no. 1 fan ❤️🏆 | 'ESC' WellingtonNZ's NYC IT/PR bungle ⌨️🛫🍎

  73. Taxpayers robbed by more than $1.2 billion in the past year, Taxpayers’ Union launches new campaign

    Following today’s release of the Government’s audited Financial Statements revealing that fiscal drag has seen New Zealanders taxed an additional $1.2 billion by stealth, the Taxpayers’ Union is launching a new website and petition as part of a campaign to Axe the Inflation Tax.Axe the Inflation Tax asks all political parties to commit...

    Read more about Taxpayers robbed by more than $1.2 billion in the past year, Taxpayers’ Union launches new campaign

  74. Taxpayers’ Union Baffled by Wellington City Council’s Corporate Bailout

     Responding to news that Wellington City Council is planning to buy the land under the currently earthquake-prone Reading cinema complex and re-strengthen the building, Taxpayers’ Union Head of Campaigns Callum Purves said:“The Reading Cinema may be a dead spot in the heart of the City Centre, but that doesn’t mean...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union Baffled by Wellington City Council’s Corporate Bailout

  75. Kiwis Still Paying the Price for Years of Government Mismanagement

     Responding to news that the OCR has remained at 5.5%, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said: “Kiwis struggling under the cost-of-living crisis will be hurting today after hearing that the Official Cash Rate (OCR) is still frozen at 5.5%. Worse still, with inflation still well outside the target...

    Read more about Kiwis Still Paying the Price for Years of Government Mismanagement

  76. NEW POLL: Statistical tie between National and ACT in race for Tāmaki

    A new Taxpayers Union – Curia poll in the Tāmaki electorate shows ACT’s Brooke van Velden mounting a strong challenge to incumbent National MP, Simon O’Connor.The two major candidates for the seat are locked in a statistical tie with 35% of respondents indicating they will vote for Simon O’Conner and...

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  77. Taxpayers’ Union happy to correct PM’s “outlandish claims”

    The Taxpayers’ Union is surprised to be, yet again, in the mind of the Labour Party leader when fielding questions from journalists.Responding to Mr Hipkins’ slight today accusing the Taxpayers’ Union of spreading “outlandish claims” about him and the Labour Party, the Taxpayers’ Union invites him to put...

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  78. Corporate welfare for wood processing leaves Taxpayers’ Union stumped

     The Taxpayers’ Union is questioning the Government’s decision to provide corporate welfare to the wood processing sector, both in the form of direct hand-outs and the Government playing bank manager by providing loans when this could easily be left to private sector banks.Taxpayers’ Union Deputy Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“Too...

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  79. Taxpayers’ Union Slams Te Pūkenga Wasteful Ad Campaign

    Despite facing consistent financial challenges and relying on taxpayer bailouts - most recently to the tune of $220 million in May's budget - The Waikato Times has revealed a staggering $15.6 million spent on ads, PR, and publications, which includes a $3.5 million campaign launch.Oliver Bryan, Invesitgations Coordinator at the Taxpayers'...

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  80. Taxpayers’ Union shivers at thought of more corporate welfare for ski fields

    The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming Cabinet's decision to provide yet another taxpayer-funded handout to Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL), this time to the tune of $7 million.Taxpayers’ Union Head of Campaigns, Callum Purves, said:“We warned earlier in the year that taxpayer-funded bailouts for failing businesses would be a slippery slope and...

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  82. Grant Robertson’s apparent hole doesn’t exist - at least as it relates to Three Waters Alternative

     Grant Robertson’s claim that there is a ‘hole’ in the funding as of a result of scraping Three Waters is nonsense on stilts.Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, says:“Grant Robertson is trying to frame opponents of Three Waters - including the National Party - as not having an alternative. Nonsense. There...

    Read more about Grant Robertson’s apparent hole doesn’t exist - at least as it relates to Three Waters Alternative

  83. Labour's Grocery Store Subsidies Will Not Reduce New Zealand’s Food Prices

    Responding to the Labour Party’s announcement that they intend to subsidise grocery stores to try and enable competition in New Zealand’s grocery sector, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said:“There is a lack of competition in New Zealand’s grocery sector, and that does lead to extortionate food prices....

    Read more about Labour's Grocery Store Subsidies Will Not Reduce New Zealand’s Food Prices

  84. National in Danger of Swapping One Middle-Class Subsidy for Another

    Commenting on the National Party’s re-affirmation of their pledge to scrap the Clean Car Discount, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said:“Under Labour’s Ute Tax, families, farmers and tradies have been subsidising the lifestyle choices of wealthy urban professionals. Robbing from hardworking people to the tune of half...

    Read more about National in Danger of Swapping One Middle-Class Subsidy for Another

  85. Taxpayers’ Union slams National’s alternative fiscal plan

    The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming the plan released by the National Party today saying it barely touches the sides in terms of cutting waste, and realigning the sector to live within the country’s means.  Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Jordan Williams said:“We expected the National Party to set operating allowances at least as small...

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  86. Taxpayers’ Union calls Hipkins' GST bluff – releases the modelling and challenges Hipkins to do the same

    Download the spreadsheet containing our modelling of the cost of Labour's GST policy here.Following recent concerns raised by the Taxpayers’ Union that Labour’s GST-exempt policy would leave a revenue hole of up to $411m because, as Labour have claimed, more people may eat fresh fruit and vegetables if...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union calls Hipkins' GST bluff – releases the modelling and challenges Hipkins to do the same

  87. Ministry of Education Still Failing to Deliver for Kiwi Kids

     Responding to the release of the OECD’s latest Education at a Glance report, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said: “Since 2018, investment received by the Ministry of Education has increased by nearly 75%. Despite this, outcomes for our children are getting worse and worse by the year. Like with so...

    Read more about Ministry of Education Still Failing to Deliver for Kiwi Kids

  89. Labour’s Fiscal Plan Doubles Down on More Spending, High Taxes and Runaway Debt

     Responding to the Labour Party’s Fiscal Plan, Taxpayers’ Union Head of Campaigns, Callum Purves, said:“Labour’s current economic plan of overtaxing hard-working New Zealanders just to waste money on middle-managers, consultants and vanity projects clearly isn’t working. With the highest level of Government spending we have ever had, Labour...

    Read more about Labour’s Fiscal Plan Doubles Down on More Spending, High Taxes and Runaway Debt

  90. Hipkins completely misunderstands his own party’s GST costings

     Chris Hipkins’ claim this morning that Labour’s costings for removal of GST off fruit and veg account for behavioural changes is completely untrue.Responding to Mr Hipkins’ attacks on the Union, spokesman Jordan Williams said:“We couldn’t care less what Mr Hipkins thinks about the country’s largest union, but to...

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  92. Handing Climate Policy to Appointed Bureaucrats is Undemocratic and Ineffective

     Responding to Labour’s promise to hand control over carbon pricing under the Emissions Trading Scheme to the Climate Change Commission, Taxpayers’ Union Deputy Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:“Handing control of carbon pricing away to faceless Wellington bureaucrats would strip away any democratic accountability over climate policy. A bloated,...

    Read more about Handing Climate Policy to Appointed Bureaucrats is Undemocratic and Ineffective

  93. Taxpayers’ Union welcomes National’s sanction regime on the Jobseeker Benefit

     Responding to National’s proposed changes to the Job-Seeker benefit scheme, Taxpayers’ Union National Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said:“The current job-seeker benefit arrangements incentivise freeriding and provide little accountability for non-compliance. Taxpayers deserve to know that their money is only going towards helping people who actually intend to get back into...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union welcomes National’s sanction regime on the Jobseeker Benefit

  94. Labour’s Climate Announcement is Economically and Scientifically Illiterate

    Responding to the release of Labour’s Climate Manifesto, Taxpayers’ Union Deputy Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:"Yet again, we are seeing a swathe of policies that fail to recognise the genius and effectiveness of our existing Emissions Trading Scheme. If we want to become world leaders in the climate...

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  96. Taxpayer Update: NZ's Debt Crisis 🛑⏰ | Labour's GST Hole Crisis 🥬🕳️ | Creative NZ's Crisis 😢✈️

    It's foot to the floor here at the Taxpayers' Union – even Porky the Waste-hater student interns are working overtime this weekend.As well as the the campaigns detailed below, we're still business-as-usual exposing government waste. This week, we take a look at the world through the eyes of...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: NZ's Debt Crisis 🛑⏰ | Labour's GST Hole Crisis 🥬🕳️ | Creative NZ's Crisis 😢✈️

  97. It Shouldn’t Take an Election to Get Government to Cut Waste

     Responding to news that the Ministry for the Environment intends to cut back hundreds of jobs, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said: “Since 2017, Government spending has increased by nearly 70%. Expenditure at the Ministry for the Environment alone was forecast to be 361% larger in 2023 than...

    Read more about It Shouldn’t Take an Election to Get Government to Cut Waste

  98. NEW POLL: Kiwis prefer Luxon/Willis over Hipkins/Robertson to tackle cost of living crisis

     A new Taxpayers' Union – Curia poll found that New Zealanders preferred Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis (46% of respondents) to Chris Hipkins and Grant Robertson (37%) as the most trusted team to deal with the cost of living crisis. 17% of respondents were unsure.This month’s regular Taxpayers’ Union – Curia poll...

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  99. Taxpayers' Union Welcomes ACT's Revised Alternative Budget, Calls for Commitment to Further Lower and Flatten Taxes When Finances Allow

     Commenting on the updates to ACT’s alternative budget, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said: “The only true tax cut is a spending cut, and we welcome ACT’s commitment to tackling the damage caused by 6 years of Labour’s dangerous overspending. Public Spending has increased by nearly 70% in...

    Read more about Taxpayers' Union Welcomes ACT's Revised Alternative Budget, Calls for Commitment to Further Lower and Flatten Taxes When Finances Allow

  100. GST claims cabbage: If Labour’s claims are right, there’s a $411m hole in the costings

    The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that it appears the Labour Party has failed to account for behavioural change in its flagship election GST policy. Despite the policy document stating that it “will have the additional benefit of encouraging Kiwis to purchase more healthy fruit and vegetables in their weekly shop”,...

    Read more about GST claims cabbage: If Labour’s claims are right, there’s a $411m hole in the costings

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