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  1. Let our Schools Decide: Taxpayers’ Union launches petition

    Let our Schools Decide: Taxpayers’ Union launches petitionThe New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has launched a petition calling for schools to have the authority to make their own decisions about emergency closures based on local circumstances rather than be beholden to bureaucrats in Wellington.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager Callum Purves says:“The blanket...

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  2. SNAP POLL: Hipkins clear voter favourite for Labour Party leadership race

     Following Thursday’s surprise announcement by Jacinda Ardern that she will be stepping down as Labour Party leader, the Taxpayers’ Union commissioned a snap poll asking a thousand New Zealanders who should take over as Prime Minister and whether leading candidates will make voters more or less likely to...

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  3. Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL – PM goes negative as Labour hits new low 📊 | Extra holidays for public servants 🏖️💰 | Damien O'Connor's laundry bill 🧺🧼

    Welcome to the first Taxpayer Update of 2023! I hope you had a good break.Yesterday's shock announcement of Jacinda Ardern's resignation as prime minister is likely to improve Labour's chances of re-election later this year, based on numbers we're releasing today in the first political poll of 2023.We don't yet...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL – PM goes negative as Labour hits new low 📊 | Extra holidays for public servants 🏖️💰 | Damien O'Connor's laundry bill 🧺🧼

  4. Vegetarian Conversion

    Auckland Council discriminates against vegetarians in $46,000 giveaway to meat eatersAuckland Council spends $46,227 on a giveaway coercing meat-eating households to convert to vegetarianism. Around 2 months ago, one of our supporters notified us of an email they received where participants had the chance to obtain a free giveaway...

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  6. Extra Holidays for Public Servants

    Revealed: Taxpayers spending at least $75 million per year on additional days off for public servantsNew research from the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union reveals that public servants are receiving additional days of paid leave, beyond their statutory entitlements, amounting to more than $75 million per year. This year,...

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  7. Revealed: Taxpayers spending at least $75 million per year on additional days off for public servants

    New research from the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union reveals that public servants are receiving additional days of paid leave, beyond their statutory entitlements, amounting to more than $75 million per year.This year, taxpayers paid public servants for over 167,000 days that they weren’t even at work, excluding the...

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  8. Taxpayer Update: Taxes going up at the pump ⛽💲 | Tick-Tock on the Debt Clock 💰⏰ | Apology to ACT 🥺🙏🙇

    Tell Grant Robertson to Freeze Fuel Taxes ⛽💲After a very successful Taxpayers' Union campaign earlier this year, the Government cut fuel taxes by 25c per litre (that's 29c once you include the GST). This policy victory saw a $1.39 billion ($715 per Kiwi household) saving at the pump.But as an early...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Taxes going up at the pump ⛽💲 | Tick-Tock on the Debt Clock 💰⏰ | Apology to ACT 🥺🙏🙇

  9. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Christmas Special with Hon Ruth Richardson and Jordan Williams

    In this year's final episode of Taxpayer Talk, Peter Williams hosts fellow Taxpayers' Union board members Hon Ruth Richardson and Executive Director, Jordan Williams, to review the highs and lows of 2022.Peter sits down with Ruth and Jordan to discuss everything from the economy to education to Winston Peters.As...

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  10. Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL 📊 | ACT wrong on indexation 💸 | Kiwis back lobbying cooling-off period 🥶

    We were right: Three Waters = Higher Water Costs 💦💰The NZ Herald has confirmed what your humble Taxpayers' Union has been saying all along – Three Waters means higher water costs. Now that the first bill to implement the Three Waters reforms has passed Parliament, the Government is moving onto...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL 📊 | ACT wrong on indexation 💸 | Kiwis back lobbying cooling-off period 🥶

  13. Taxpayer Update: Three Waters Game Playing 💦 | National's U-Turns 💸 | Logo Competition Winner 🎨

    It's been another eventful week in Wellington with U-turns from National and constitutional game-playing from Labour and the Greens.But before we get to that – the team are off to Hamilton on Monday for our Hamilton West by-election debate jointly hosted by the Taxpayers' Union and our friends...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Three Waters Game Playing 💦 | National's U-Turns 💸 | Logo Competition Winner 🎨

  14. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Dr James McDowall MP on the Hamilton West by-election

    This week on Taxpayer Talk, Peter Williams hosts ACT Party MP Dr James McDowall. Peter sits down with James to discuss his candidacy for the Hamilton West by-election. The three highest polling candidates for Hamilton West were all invited to appear on this podcast but only Dr McDowall agreed...

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  15. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Andrew Bayly MP on the IRD’s new powers

    In this edition of Taxpayer Talk, Peter Williams’s guest is National Party MP and Revenue Spokesperson, Andrew Bayly. Peter and Andrew sit down to discuss the Inland Revenue Department's new powers to request information from individuals. In 2020, while all the attention was focused on the new 39% top...

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  16. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Novelist Alan Duff on Education and Social Outcomes

    In this edition of Taxpayer Talk, Peter Williams’s guest is author Alan Duff, the creator of the hugely successful and influential book and movie Once Were Warriors and the founder of the Duffy Books in Homes programme. Duff's best known book and the movie came out around thirty years...

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  17. Taxpayer Update: Three Waters Poll 💦📊 | Taxman Takeover 💰🤥 | Taxpayer Talk 🎙️

    We are winning! New poll shows opposition to Three Waters at record high 💦📊Last week, we released a new poll that showed opposition to the Government's Three Waters reforms has reached a new high. 60 percent of Kiwis are now against the proposals while just 23 percent are in...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Three Waters Poll 💦📊 | Taxman Takeover 💰🤥 | Taxpayer Talk 🎙️

  19. Peter Williams hosts Taxpayer Talk: Danish Free Speech advocate Jacob Mchangama

    This week, Peter Williams hosts free speech campaigner Jacob Mchangama, a Danish lawyer who recently visited New Zealand. His visit was prescient as the Justice Minister Kiri Allan has recently promised that hate speech legislation will be in our Parliament by the end of the year.Jacob is the...

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  21. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Dr Claire Charters on He Puapua and Co-Governance

    This week Peter Williams is back on Taxpayer Talk with a highly anticipated interview with Auckland University's Dr Claire Charters.  Claire's research has focused on indigenous peoples’ rights in international and constitutional law, including how the Treaty of Waitangi should interact with our legal system.Claire was one of...

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  22. Taxpayer Talk with Jordan Williams: Campaigns Manager Callum Purves + UK TaxPayers' Alliance CE John O'Connell

    As Peter is away this week, the latest Taxpayer Talk podcast is hosted by Taxpayers' Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams (no relation), with something of a UK special. Jordan sits down with the Taxpayers' Union's most recent hire, Callum Purves, who is our new Campaigns Manager. Callum has...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk with Jordan Williams: Campaigns Manager Callum Purves + UK TaxPayers' Alliance CE John O'Connell

  23. Taxpayer Update: POLL: 3 in 5 Oppose Income Insurance | Tax Relief Must Be Paid For | Mayors Should Stop Three Waters

    To view this newsletter online, click here. To share it on Facebook, click here.Dear Supporter,This week, we found out that the annual inflation rate had barely changed and the quarterly rate is actually on the rise. While the Government has been failing to do its job to control...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: POLL: 3 in 5 Oppose Income Insurance | Tax Relief Must Be Paid For | Mayors Should Stop Three Waters

  24. Taxpayer Update: Centre-Right stay on top in new poll 📊 | Mayors oppose Three Waters | Stop the fuel tax hike

     It has been a good week for ratepayers and taxpayers with a big swing against 'tax and spend' candidates across most of the country in the local body elections. For Labour, many commentators are saying it's a warning. So too is our latest poll, released just now.NEW POLL:...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Centre-Right stay on top in new poll 📊 | Mayors oppose Three Waters | Stop the fuel tax hike

  25. Taxpayer Update: Centre-Right stay on top in new poll 📊 | Mayors oppose Three Waters | Stop the fuel tax hike

     It has been a good week for ratepayers and taxpayers with a big swing against 'tax and spend' candidates across most of the country in the local body elections. For Labour, many commentators are saying it's a warning. So too is our latest poll, released just now.NEW POLL:...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Centre-Right stay on top in new poll 📊 | Mayors oppose Three Waters | Stop the fuel tax hike

  27. Peter Williams hosts Taxpayer Talk: David Round on the Treaty of Waitangi and Co-Governance

    This week on Taxpayer Talk, host Peter Williams is joined by David Round, a former Canterbury University law lecturer, to discuss the Treaty of Waitangi and co-governance. As an expert in the fields of Legal History, Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence and Environmental Law, David is well equipped to comment...

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  28. Peter Williams hosts Taxpayer Talk: Dr Christoph Schumacher on modernising how we report on the economy

    In the middle of a cost of living crisis, key economic indicators are more important to track than ever. This week on Taxpayer Talk, host Peter Williams sits down with Dr Christoph Schumacher, Professor of Innovation & Economics and Director of the Knowledge Exchange Hub at Massey University....

    Read more about Peter Williams hosts Taxpayer Talk: Dr Christoph Schumacher on modernising how we report on the economy

  29. Get hit to get help

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union calls on Government to provide greater transparency over their crime prevention fund for local shop owners.In May earlier this year, the Government announced their “Crime Prevention Package”, a $6 million programme aimed at preventing ram-raids and other forms of retail crime. Since then,...

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  30. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk (excerpt): The state of local government with retiring councillor Chris Milne

    This is an excerpt from our long-form podcast released weekly by host Peter Williams. You can listen to the full podcast here. In this episode of Taxpayer Talk, host Peter Williams sits down with retiring Hutt City Councillor Chris Milne to discuss the state of local government in New Zealand....

    Read more about Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk (excerpt): The state of local government with retiring councillor Chris Milne

  31. Peter Williams hosts Taxpayer Talk: Economist Eric Crampton on Three Waters and the ETS + Retiring Councillor Chris Milne

    On this week's episode of Taxpayer Talk, host Peter Williams is joined by Eric Crampton, Chief Economist at the New Zealand Initiative, to discuss the Government's Three Waters reforms and his alternative proposal for how local councils can finance long-term infrastructure investment more effectively. Peter and Eric also discuss...

    Read more about Peter Williams hosts Taxpayer Talk: Economist Eric Crampton on Three Waters and the ETS + Retiring Councillor Chris Milne

  32. Peter Williams hosts Taxpayer Talk: Professor James Allan + Analysis of latest Taxpayers' Union Curia Poll

    In the wake of the Queen’s passing, the latest edition of Taxpayer Talk focuses on the British Monarchy. Host Peter Williams is joined by Canadian-born, Australian domiciled law Professor James Allan who reflects on why the British Monarchy is the most successful anywhere and why having a queen...

    Read more about Peter Williams hosts Taxpayer Talk: Professor James Allan + Analysis of latest Taxpayers' Union Curia Poll

  34. Taxpayer Update: Ratepayers' Report | Tax U-Turn | Farewell Trevor Mallard

    To view this newsletter online, click here. To share it on Facebook, click here.Dear Supporter,NEW: 2022 Ratepayer Report league tablesWe’ve just released the 2022 Ratepayers’ Report, our popular local government league tables – in time for local elections! Josh was on Radio NZ this morning to discuss the...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Ratepayers' Report | Tax U-Turn | Farewell Trevor Mallard

  37. Human Rights Commission fails Economics 101

    The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union is disturbed to see the Human Rights Commission suggesting economic policies for which they clearly have no knowledge or understanding of. The Commission recently called for urgent action on rent control, an idea normally spouted by economically-illiterate far-left organisations such as the Green Party. There is strong consensus among...

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  38. Taxpayer Update: New poll 📊 | Peter Williams podcast 🎙️ | MP whistleblowing on colleagues 💸

    Dear Supporter,New Poll: Māori Party recapture balance of powerExclusive to supporters like you, this month's Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll shows an overall gain for the Labour/Green centre-left parties at the expense of the National/ACT centre-right bloc. Applying the results to seats Parliament, neither has the 61 seats required to govern...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: New poll 📊 | Peter Williams podcast 🎙️ | MP whistleblowing on colleagues 💸

  39. Taxpayer Talk with Peter Williams: Ewen McQueen & panel on new poll

    Former TVNZ broadcaster (now Taxpayers' Union Board Member) Peter Williams has taken over as host of our new weekly Taxpayer Talk podcast. In this week's episode, he speaks to author and social commentator Ewen McQueen on his book One Sun in the Sky: the untold story of sovereignty and the Treaty of Waitangi....

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  41. Tackling the culture of dishonesty in Wellington re three waters (update to Three Waters campaign supporers)

    The following is our update to supporters who have lodged their objection to the Government's Three Waters - either through the official Stop Three Waters petition, or submission tool:Subject: Tackling the culture of dishonesty in Wellington re three waters Dear Friend,Thank you again for supporting the fight against Nanaia Mahuta’s...

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  42. Taxpayer Update: More $$ for media | New Chair for the Taxpayers' Union | New poll shows a tie

    Dear Supporter,Our lastest Taxpayers' Union Curia poll has just been released. We summarise the results at the end of this update – and what would happen if this poll was reflected in an election and we ended up with a hung Parliament.More taxpayer funding for the media: Will...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: More $$ for media | New Chair for the Taxpayers' Union | New poll shows a tie

  43. Another $4.1m for the media: Will this affect election coverage?

    The fourth round of 'Public Interest' journalism funding was announced by NZ on Air this week, costing taxpayers $4,144,909.So far $43,968,004 of the $55 million fund has been paid out to media organisations to fund a variety of projects, journalism roles and industry development. The latest announcement includes $1.2...

    Read more about Another $4.1m for the media: Will this affect election coverage?

  48. Costs of Matariki advisory group

    The Government appointed a seven-member Matariki Advisory Group to provide advice on the ideal dates to mark Matariki and appropriate ways of celebrating the holiday.Members were paid $780-$1035 per day for advisory services.All up, $220,000 was paid to members in fees and reimbursements for travel expenses. Of that,...

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  49. Taxpayer Update: New poll | Stop 3 Waters roadshow heads north | $337k for a ribbon cutting

    Dear Supporter,We've just released the latest Taxpayers’ Union-Curia Poll.  In short, it continues to show a trend against the Ardern Government towards National/ACT. Headline results are at the bottom of this newsletter and over on our website.Stop Three Waters roadshow draws big crowds in the South, now hits...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: New poll | Stop 3 Waters roadshow heads north | $337k for a ribbon cutting

  53. New poll: 76% believe water entities should be accountable to voters

    Three quarters of New Zealanders believe that those responsible for water services should be directly accountable to voters, reveals a new scientific poll commissioned by the Taxpayers’ Union.The poll of 1,000 New Zealanders was undertaken by Curia Market Research, and asked, Do you think those who are responsible...

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  57. Taxpayer Talk : Does Grant Robertson's big spend-up get a passing mark?

    Straight out of the Beehive's Budget Day "lock up", Jordan sits down with Cameron Bagrie of Bagrie Economics to break down the good, the bad, and the ugly of the biggest ever increase to operational Government spending.Subscribe to Taxpayer Talk podcast via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio and wherever good podcasts are sold.

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  58. Budget 2022: Despite red hot economy, big spending Budget delivers higher debt, delayed

    Dear Supporter,Louis and I are just back from the 2022 Budget lock-up inside the Beehive. We’ve spent the day trawling through what is the biggest spend up (in terms of locking in permanent operating spending) we’ve ever seen. As we worked through the 24 Ministerial media releases and...

    Read more about Budget 2022: Despite red hot economy, big spending Budget delivers higher debt, delayed

  59. Budget 2022: How are we still responding to COVID with arts grants?

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is almost – but not quite – lost for words over Budget 2022’s announcement of another $185 million in arts and heritage grants. Union spokesman Louis Houlbrooke says, “We were amazed when the Government decided it was appropriate to respond to a novel coronavirus with more than...

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  61. WTF? Stu Nash starts a bank?

    The Taxpayers’ Union representatives choked on Treasury’s budget lock up sausage rolls when they discovered Stuart Nash’s announcement that he’s launching an investment bank for business rejected by the banking sector and to appoint government workers as directors of SMEs.Jordan Williams, spokesman for the Taxpayers’ Union, said: “$100...

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  64. Exclusive poll: Four to one, Kiwis don't want more spending in the Budget

    The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union can reveal that, by a margin of more than four to one, most New Zealanders oppose increasing Government spending in this week's Budget.A new scientific poll of 1,000 respondents was conducted by Curia Market Research and asked, Given the current levels of inflation, do you...

    Read more about Exclusive poll: Four to one, Kiwis don't want more spending in the Budget

  65. Taxpayer Talk: Greg Murphy on why the Government's Road to Zero stratergy is spin with no substance

    In February, the Government launched its road safety strategy called Road to Zero. The strategy hopes to reduce road deaths to zero by 2030. The Government has allocated $85 million on advertising this strategy alone. Join Louis and motorsport champion Greg Murphy, as they discuss why this unrealistic...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Greg Murphy on why the Government's Road to Zero stratergy is spin with no substance

  68. Taxpayer Talk: The Port of Auckland: a costly political football that hasn't scored success

     In 2005, the Port of Auckland was delisted from the NZX and was taken over by what is now Auckland Council. Since then, the port has underperformed, become inefficient, and lagged behind other ports such as the Port of Tauranga. Jordan sits down with Greg Smith from Devon...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: The Port of Auckland: a costly political football that hasn't scored success

  69. Taxpayer Update: Media funding backfires | IRD goes bonkers | Corporate bludgers

    Dear Supporter,If you're a business owner this update is more important than usual: we're blowing the whistle on backroom changes to IRD's rules that will result in enormous tax bills for small and medium-size business owners. We've also been busy on multiple campaign fronts, from Three Waters to wealth...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Media funding backfires | IRD goes bonkers | Corporate bludgers

  72. Taxpayer Talk: Disregarding democracy: the Government's attempt to strip away one person one vote

    Last month, the Government quietly tried to pass Tamati Coffee's Rotorua District Council Bill. When electing Rotorua Councillors, it would have meant a vote on the general roll would have been worth 39% of a vote on the Māori roll. Due to public pressure and the Attorney General...

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  75. Taxpayer Talk: Should the Government finally privatise State Owned Enterprises?

    The Government owns or partly owns 18 large businesses with combined assets of $78 billion. The Treasury has found that many are underperforming. Join Jordan and co-founder of TDB Advisory Phil Barry, as they discuss why these businesses would be more productive and experience higher rates of return...

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  76. Taxpayer Update: Mahuta trying to gag councils on Three Waters | Auditor General slams tourism slush fund | Nats now leading Labour in latest poll

    Dear Supporter,Louis is away today, so I'm in the hot seat bringing you this week's Taxpayer Update.Taxpayers' Union Curia Poll: Nats pull ahead of LabourFirst thing's first: we've just released this month's Taxpayers' Union Curia Poll, which you can read about on our website here.This is the first time...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Mahuta trying to gag councils on Three Waters | Auditor General slams tourism slush fund | Nats now leading Labour in latest poll

  78. Revealed: Waka Kotahi spends millions promoting Government policy

    Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) has spent $4,737,200 on the first two television advertisements promoting the Government's Road to Zero strategy, reveals the Taxpayers' Union.The spending is separate from the $2.4 million recently spent on the infamous 'Safe Limits' television ad.In February, the Government officially launched its 'Road...

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  79. Taxpayer Talk: Fair Pay Agreements: will they cripple New Zealand's labour market?

    The Government's Fair Pay Agreements Bill passed its first vote in Parliament last week. The legislation will initiate the largest shake up for employment relations in decades. Join Jordan and Business NZ CEO Kirk Hope as they discuss why Fair Pay Agreements will mean more barriers to employment,...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Fair Pay Agreements: will they cripple New Zealand's labour market?

  80. Revealed: Island Bay cycleway talkfests cost ratepayers $1 million

    An official information response shows the Wellington City Council has spent more than a million dollars on the Island Bay cycleway since its completion in 2016.In 2016, the Wellington City Council installed a 1.7km cycle-way along The Parade in Island Bay. A lackluster consultation process saw the preferences of local residents...

    Read more about Revealed: Island Bay cycleway talkfests cost ratepayers $1 million

  84. High inflation leads to $637 million debt write-off for uni graduates

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is raising the alarm over a $637 million debt write-off for university graduates, driven by inflation and funded by taxpayers.While it is well-known that student loan balances do not accrue interest, it is often forgotten that balances are not even adjusted for inflation....

    Read more about High inflation leads to $637 million debt write-off for uni graduates

  85. Revealed: NZTA spends $15,000 per second promoting lower speed limits

    Waka Kotahi (NZTA) spent $2.4 million on the first advertisement in its campaign promoting lower speed limits, reveals the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union.The ad, which can be viewed here, features a wig-wearing, clipboard-wielding NZTA official explaining to a pair of children that speed limits are currently too fast.Nine...

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  86. COVID response sees $700k spent on a "digital storytelling experience"

    The Government must pull the plug on the Ministry for Culture and Heritage's $60 million COVID "Innovation Fund" as it continues to grant taxpayer funding to bizarre projects, says the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union.So far, 105 projects have received $15.9 million from the fund. Since the Taxpayers' Union's last update on...

    Read more about COVID response sees $700k spent on a "digital storytelling experience"

  88. Ratepayers foot the bill for $76,000 in shoes for parking wardens

    As if parking wardens weren't already costing ratepayers enough in tickets, they're also putting the boot in with surprisingly large footwear costs.Wellington City Council has spent $75,906.35 on shoes for its parking wardens in the last three years, reveals the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union.An information response from Wellington City Council...

    Read more about Ratepayers foot the bill for $76,000 in shoes for parking wardens

  92. Taxpayer Update: Labour slides in latest poll | NZTA spends big on 'Road to Zero' propaganda

    Dear Supporter,Seldom do we send two Taxpayer Updates in the same week, but we wanted to ensure our supporters see our latest private political poll result before it is leaked to the media and reported publicly.Today we've also blown the whistle on the cost of the propaganda campaign NZTA have...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Labour slides in latest poll | NZTA spends big on 'Road to Zero' propaganda

  95. Revealed: 316 DJs and entertainers jumped border queue last year

    Three hundred and sixteen foreign entertainers, including 64 DJs, were fast-tracked through MIQ in 2021, reveals the New Zealand Taxpayers Union.Taxpayers have spent $1.2 billion on MIQ – $660 for every household in the country. But we were badly let down by the Government's criteria that put favoured industries...

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  100. Taxpayer Update: MP's "National security" claim | Winston's party | Departure tax

    Green MP's attempt to enter NZ for 'national security' has to be a jokeThis week it was revealed that Green MP Ricardo Menéndez March applied for an emergency MIQ slot not once, but twice: first as a ‘critical health service’, and again as 'required for national security'.We were first to break...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: MP's "National security" claim | Winston's party | Departure tax

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