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  3. Submission: Reject deposit insurance for finance companies

    The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union has submitted on the proposed Deposit Takers Act, warning against the proposed insurance scheme that will see Ponzi schemes bailed out by taxpayers.Click here to read the full submission.Executive summary:This submission contends that implementing deposit insurance for finance companies would be ashort-sighted policy and...

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  4. Taxpayer Update: Luxon gets competitive | Cut fuel tax | 30% tax on low wages

    Dear Supporter,Our latest poll shows National rise under LuxonThe latest monthly scientific Taxpayers' Union Curia Poll is now available for members and supporters here.The headline result: National is returning to a competitive position under the leadership of Christopher Luxon. While much of National's gains appear to have come at...

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  5. Meeting the new TOP Leader

      The Opportunities Party (or simply TOP) has a new Leader - Raf Manji. Louis sits down with Raf to learn why he's so keen for a universal basic income, how he thinks a land tax will pay for it, and whether TOP is a "left-wing" or "right-wing" party.Raf's...

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  10. Unemployment insurance — new tax grab?

     This year the Government is set to announce more details about its proposed unemployment insurance scheme. Join Jordan and Dr Dennis Wesselbaum as they discuss why the scheme will result in more unemployment, higher taxes and ironically — lower societal wellbeing. Subscribe to Taxpayer Talk podcast via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio and wherever...

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  11. Taxpayer Update: New poll | Bach tax | Hon Ruth Richardson | Media pay-off

    Dear Supporter,Welcome to the first Taxpayer Update of 2022!First off, we have just published the results of this month's Taxpayers' Union Curia Poll. This is the first scientific political poll published by anyone this year.It appears that the summer break has lifted New Zealanders' moods, with more respondents saying...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: New poll | Bach tax | Hon Ruth Richardson | Media pay-off

  13. Exposed: Wellington's 'bespoke' roundabout cost $570,000

    The installation of a mountable roundabout in Hataitai has cost Wellington ratepayers $570,000 – and the project's "bespoke artwork" is already badly scuffed, reveals the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union.In November, Wellington City Council crowed about the completion of works at the Hataitai intersection. The centrepiece is a 'bespoke...

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  15. Taxpayer Update: What we've achieved | Hidden tax | War on geese

    Dear Supporter,This will be my last newsletter until the new year. Today the team is reflecting on a challenging but productive 2021.A small sample of what you made possible this yearThe Government froze pay for high-earning public servants after months of petitioning and lobbying from our supporters. (They're set...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: What we've achieved | Hidden tax | War on geese

  18. Taxpayer Update: Today's new poll | Bureaucrat blowout | EECA hypocrisy

    Dear Supporter,Taxpayers’ Union Curia poll: The first post-Luxon leadership pollThe results of December's Taxpayers’ Union Curia Poll, exclusive to our members and supporters like you, are available here.This has been highly anticipated because it is the first scientific poll since Chris Luxon took over as National Party Leader.It's good news...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Today's new poll | Bureaucrat blowout | EECA hypocrisy

  19. Ihumātao update: One year on, we still don't have a Steering Group, let alone housing

    This month marks a year since the Government announced its $30 million purchase of land at Ihumātao. The decision to purchase the land was justified on the basis that it would result in the provision of housing on the site, with funding coming from the Land for Housing Programme.However,...

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  20. Exclusive: Taxpayers are forking out $103 per laundry service or shower provided by a Government-funded charity

    Taxpayers are forking out $103 per laundry service or shower provided by a Government-funded charity, reveals Annabel Fleming.According to its 2020 annual review, taxpayer-funded charity Orange Sky received $437,500 from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development for the 2020 financial year and in that time provided 4,248 free...

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  22. Taxpayer Update: Message to Luxon | Three Waters ads canned | Taxpayers get "Milked"

    Dear Supporter,A note on National's new leadershipYou will have seen the news that Chris Luxon has been selected as the National Party's new Leader, with Nicola Willis as Deputy.Here's the reaction from our Executive Director Jordan Williams:It is to Chris Luxon’s credit that he is one of the...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Message to Luxon | Three Waters ads canned | Taxpayers get "Milked"

  23. Taxpayers Milked to the tune of $48K for anti-dairy propaganda

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is challenging the New Zealand Film Commission’s funding criteria after it gave anti-dairy documentary Milked a $48,550 “finishing grant”.The film, currently screening in New Zealand cinemas, argues that the dairy industry causes climate change, pollutes water, destroys land, abuses cows, and victimises dairy...

    Read more about Taxpayers Milked to the tune of $48K for anti-dairy propaganda

  28. Revealed: Wellington City Council spends $11,000 on Māori translation of spatial plan

    Wellington City Council spent $11,482 plus GST producing a te reo translation of the summary of its new spatial plan, reveals the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union.Just 50 te reo copies were printed – resulting in a translation cost of $220 per printed copy.Māori translations of planning documents are...

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  30. Taxpayer Update: Our latest poll | Buzzing the Beehive | Inflation menace

    Dear Supporter,Taxpayers’ Union Curia poll: Labour down six pointsThe results of November's Taxpayers’ Union Curia Poll, exclusive to our members and supporters like you, are available here.Labour are down six points to 39%. The National Party up four to 26%. And that's not the only bad news for the...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Our latest poll | Buzzing the Beehive | Inflation menace

  32. Taxpayer Talk: Nanaia Mahuta grilled by Taxpayers’ Union on Three Waters

    In a long-awaited interview with Nanaia Mahuta, the Local Government Minister fields questions from Taxpayers’ Union supporters on her controversial Three Waters reforms. Listeners will decide for themselves whether her ducking and diving effectively addressed concerns over ratepayer input, iwi veto power, and forecast costs.  Subscribe to Taxpayer Talk...

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  33. "A deceitful, lying pack of bastards" Three Waters with Tina Nixon

    Cr Tina Nixon has no shortage of harsh words for the proposed Three Waters reforms. Join her and Jordan as they dive into the dangerous implications of this asset confiscation by central government.  Subscribe to Taxpayer Talk podcast via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio and wherever good podcasts are sold.>>> Click here to...

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  35. Taxpayer Talk: Three Waters with Christopher Luxon

    Nanaia Mahuta has announced that the government will mandate to seize Three Waters assets from councils. Jordan is joined by National's spokesperson for Local Government Christopher Luxon to discuss the implications, the flaws and what can be done about the government's plans.  Subscribe to Taxpayer Talk podcast via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google...

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  36. It’s no wonder local councils are rebelling against LGNZ

    The following is an opinion piece by Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams.Local Government New Zealand President Stuart Crosby resorted to name calling in a recent opinion piece, calling the thousands of New Zealanders who emailed local councillors about Three Waters “wilfully ill-informed keyboard warriors”.This is a desperate...

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  37. REVEALED: Government’s favoured unions repaid $1.6 million in wage subsidies

    The Taxpayers’ Union has today revealed that the Labour Party’s trade unions – First Union and E Tū – have repaid the full $1.6 million they received in wage subsidies. This comes after the Union called on them to do so earlier this year.We’d like to congratulate these left wing unions on finally...

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  38. Taxpayer Talk: David Seymour

    What's the secret to ACT's success? Why after years of campaigning are they opposing housing reforms? Who does David think should win the biggest government spending blowout award? Jordan and David discuss this and more in this weeks episode of Taxpayer Talk. Subscribe to Taxpayer Talk podcast via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google...

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  42. Taxpayers’ Union asks Jacinda Ardern to clarify role of electorate secretary acting as wedding planner

    The Taxpayers’ Union has today written to the MP for Mt Albert asking for more details about her electorate agent’s role in managing the Gisborne wedding venue, given the staffer is based in Auckland and wouldn’t normally travel for her job.We know of at least two visits to...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union asks Jacinda Ardern to clarify role of electorate secretary acting as wedding planner

  44. Taxpayer Update: Our exclusive new poll | Taxpayer-funded political parties | Bike bridge $$

    Dear Supporter,New Taxpayers’ Union Curia poll released: Labour & Greens down, National & ACT up 📊Exclusive to members and supporters like you, we commissioned another Taxpayers’ Union Curia Poll that shows support for National and ACT is up, while Labour and the Greens are down. ACT is at a...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Our exclusive new poll | Taxpayer-funded political parties | Bike bridge $$

  48. Taxpayer Update: Gang bill drawn | Toa's torture | Tax-funded media

    Dear Supporter,Bill drawn to end government funding of gangsWhen it was revealed that a Mongrel Mob-affiliated group received $2.75 million to run a meth rehab programme, Taxpayers' Union supporters pitched in to publicise the Prime Minister's dodgy decision with nationwide newspaper ads and promotion of a petition signed by...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Gang bill drawn | Toa's torture | Tax-funded media

  49. Document dump reveals DOC put politics ahead of Toa the orca’s welfare

    The Department of Conservation spent $129,000 and 12 days prolonging the pain of a baby orca for the sake of politics.That’s the takeaway from today’s massive document dump, which includes an incident management plan that explained: “An intervention approach is not the traditional DOC position that we have taken in...

    Read more about Document dump reveals DOC put politics ahead of Toa the orca’s welfare

  51. You take the low road, James Shaw takes the high road, and he will be in Scotland a’fore ye!

    Green Party co-leader James Shaw has been under fire for planning to fly to Glasgow for a climate change conference with an unspecified number of support staff. Priding ourselves on fairness towards New Zealand’s elected representatives, the Taxpayers’ Union offered Mr Shaw the opportunity to present his defence....

    Read more about You take the low road, James Shaw takes the high road, and he will be in Scotland a’fore ye!

  52. Taxpayer Update: A new tax grab | Grant's confession | Super tax

    Dear Supporter,Congestion charging: A new raid on commuters' wallets?Parliament's Transport Select Committee has completed an inquiry into congestion charging – and every party involved is keen on the idea.The proposal would initially involve charging motorists entering central Auckland during peak traffic hours, but the door has been left open for...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: A new tax grab | Grant's confession | Super tax

  58. Taxpayer Update: Where your money went | Clean car propaganda | Higher ETS levies

    Dear Supporter,Exposed: how the Government exploited COVID-19 to spend more of your moneySince my last newsletter, the Taxpayers’ Union has continued to expose how the Government has frittered away the $62 billion COVID-19 response fund.The COVID response fund was 20 times larger than Shane Jones’s infamous Provincial Growth fund,...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Where your money went | Clean car propaganda | Higher ETS levies

  60. Revealed: Government spends $183,000 advertising 'Clean Car Discount'

    The New Zealand Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) has spent $183,751 advertising its Clean Car Discount, reveals the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union.An official information response shows the advertising campaign was developed by Clemenger BBDO and ran for most of July including print, radio, posters, flyers, Google ads, and "content partnerships".What a pointless...

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  61. Taxpayer Update: What on earth happened to the COVID-19 response fund?

    Dear Supporter,None of us can know what the coming weeks will bring, but like the first time around, the Taxpayers' Union team is working from home laser-focused on demanding more efficient spending in Wellington.Lockdowns – and their inevitable economic consequences – make every dollar of taxpayer money even...

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  63. Health Research Council throwing millions at woke nonsense

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is challenging the value of the latest round of research grants funded by the Health Research Council.Comparing to last year’s grants, we’ve noticed a big shift towards ‘wellbeing’-centred research that is often, frankly, woke nonsense. Research in the hard medical sciences is forced...

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  65. Simeon Brown on Gangs

    Max is joined by Simeon Brown to address exactly why the donation of 2.75 million to the gang-run Kahukura program was a poor decision by this government, and to rebut some of the points that have been brought up in support of it.Subscribe to Taxpayer Talk podcast via Apple...

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  66. Taxpayer Update: SkyPath u-turn? | Bureaucracy booming | Dodgy media funding

    Dear Supporter,The Government's feeling the pressure on its cycle bridgeThe proposed $685 million cycle bridge has perhaps been the Government’s worst political misfire. In June we commissioned a Curia poll which showed that 63 percent of New Zealanders oppose the cycle bridge. Now, a new Newshub poll corroborates our findings, showing its even...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: SkyPath u-turn? | Bureaucracy booming | Dodgy media funding

  69. Revealed: $2.75m funding for Mongrel Mob was signed off by PM

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that the fund that gave a $2.75 million drug rehab contract to Mongrel Mob leaders is managed by just three Ministers, meaning the grant was signed off by the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance, and Minister of Justice.The Ministry of Justice’s website confirms that...

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  70. Taxpayer Update: Your money given to the Mongrel Mob | Even more tax on ute owners | Debt Monster is coming

    Dear Supporter,Louis took a much-deserved break this week, but the Government's attacks on taxpayers have continued. Thankfully the whole team is back on Monday!Wondering where the Mongrel Mob gets its money? You! Chief Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt made an appalling decision to give a taxpayer-funded koha to...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Your money given to the Mongrel Mob | Even more tax on ute owners | Debt Monster is coming

  71. Petition launched to end all taxpayer funding for gangs

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has launched a petition calling for the cancellation of all taxpayer funding for gangs, at www.taxpayers.org.nz/gangs. This is in response to the revelation that the Ministry of Health is paying the Mongrel Mob $2.75 million to run a drug rehab programme.Last week, New Zealanders rightly condemned the Human Rights...

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  72. MP in Depth: Karen Chhour

    In this episode of our "MPs in Depth" series, our Researcher Max Salmon interviews newbie ACT Party MP Karen Chhour to discuss the switch to working in parliament, why the Government isn't walking its talk in regards to child poverty reduction, and the role of ACT in opposition. Subscribe...

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  74. Op-ed: Be the Minister, not just a frustrated onlooker

    The following is an op-ed by New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union Analyst Neil Miller. It is free for publication. The headlines read “Health Minister 'extraordinarily frustrated' as just five new acute mental health beds added after $1.9b investment”. Sorry Andrew Little, that is simply not good enough. You are not an impartial observer, a mid-level official,...

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  75. Revealed: Porirua City Council’s ‘Living Wage’ hike trickles up to higher paid staff

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that Porirua City Council’s introduction of a ‘Living Wage’ policy resulted in 52 percent of Council staff receiving wage hikes.In July 2020, while 39 staff were moved up to the living wage rate, a further 176 received ‘relativity adjustments’ in pay...

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  76. New poll shows 63% of Kiwis oppose Auckland's cycle bridge

    Polling commissioned by the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union shows that nearly two-thirds of Kiwis ‘oppose’ or ‘strongly oppose’ the Government’s planned $685 million cycle and pedestrian bridge for Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour. Meanwhile, just 18 percent ‘support’ or ‘strongly support’ it.The full data set can be viewed here. The polling was conducted by...

    Read more about New poll shows 63% of Kiwis oppose Auckland's cycle bridge

  77. Taxpayer Update: Our campaigns ramp up | You fund propaganda | A taxpayer victory

    Stormclouds forming over SkyPath 2.0? 🚴🌧️Our petition to withdraw taxpayer funding for the proposed $685 million cycle and pedestrian bridge has now reached 56,000 signatures. That's incredible, and it shows the depth of public opposition to such a brazenly wasteful vanity project.Our "Stop SkyPath" billboards are currently hammering the...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Our campaigns ramp up | You fund propaganda | A taxpayer victory

  78. 2021 Ratepayers’ Report released, methodology explained

    The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union has today published the 2021 edition of Ratepayers' Report – online local government league tables – at www.ratepayersreport.nzWith these league tables, New Zealanders can easily compare their local council’s performance and financial position for 2019/20 against others.Setting out more than two thousand data points, the Ratepayers' Report provides transparency for ratepayers, and...

    Read more about 2021 Ratepayers’ Report released, methodology explained

  80. The most open and transparent Government should not take a year to supply official information

    Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern pledged: “This government will foster a more open and democratic society. It will strengthen transparency around official information.”The fact that it took Radio New Zealand a year to get a response to an Official Information Act request about a heated bureaucratic turf war between...

    Read more about The most open and transparent Government should not take a year to supply official information

  81. Taxpayer Talk: Climate Change Commission delivers the big kahuna – wholesale economic transformation uncoupled to climate change mitigation

    The Climate Change Commission’s final advice to the Government was released today. Our Executive Director Jordan Williams speaks again to Matt Burgess from the NZ Initiative to discuss the implications. You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio and all good podcast apps.

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Climate Change Commission delivers the big kahuna – wholesale economic transformation uncoupled to climate change mitigation

  82. Taxpayer Update: Tinder studies | SkyPath 2.0 | Fake climate protest

    Radical climate plan set to be unveiledThis afternoon the Climate Change Commission releases its final recommendations for the Government. Based on recent statements from the Commission Chair, they are pushing ahead with a plan to radically up-end New Zealand's economy with costly regulations.The draft plan seeks to:•  Ban imports...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Tinder studies | SkyPath 2.0 | Fake climate protest

  86. Taxpayer Update: Socialist MPs | Notes to Nanaia | Debt clock ticking

    Why didn't these MPs boast they were socialists before the election?Thursday night's Budget Debate took a weird turn. Multiple Labour MPs (and one Green MP) took off their centre-left masks and professed allegiance to socialism.The following quotes are taken direct from Parliament’s “Hansard” transcript:Kieran McAnulty: “Yes, I am a socialist...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Socialist MPs | Notes to Nanaia | Debt clock ticking

  90. Taxpayer Talk: Budget 2021

    Taxpayers' Union Executive Director Jordan Williams and consulting economist Joe Ascroft both attended the Budget 2021 lock up. Louis asks why they've described it as a major shift in the economic dial to the left. And what's this about another new tax?You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple...

    Read more about Taxpayer Talk: Budget 2021

  92. Taxpayer Update: KiwiSaver interference | Boozy dinners | Wailing unions

    Government sticks its nose into your KiwiSaver portfolioOur old friend David Clark is back in the news. Today he rolled up to work 🚴 and announced the Government will force default KiwiSaver providers to boycott fossil fuel investments.I told the media why this is a terrible idea:The last thing KiwiSaver members...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: KiwiSaver interference | Boozy dinners | Wailing unions

  94. Op-ed: Back-office bureaucrats are exploiting sympathy for frontline workers

    The Government’s bombshell announcement that it will rein in public sector salaries has been applauded by unionists – specifically, the Taxpayers’ Union. Union co-founder, blogger, and cheeky fellow David Farrar proclaimed Grant Robertson and Chris Hipkins honorary members of the Taxpayers’ Union for their fiscal restraint during a pandemic. It is...

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  95. Illiberalism, Free Speech and Conservative Values with Simon Bridges

    Former Opposition leader and National Party MP Simon Bridges joins Max on the podcast for a chat about his time in politics, worrying tendencies towards intolerance, and of course tax bracket creep.You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio and all good podcast apps.

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  96. Petition Launched: Public sector pay freeze should extend to local councils

    The Taxpayers’ Union has launched a petition to extend the recently announced public sector pay freeze to local councils.Click here to sign the petition.The Government’s public sector pay freeze was a prudent measure that reflects the sacrifices made by businesses and employees in the wake of COVID-19. However, the freeze...

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  98. MPs in Depth: Barbara Edmonds

    Barbara Edmonds is the MP for Mana. In this episode, Max and Barbara discuss working for Judith and Jacinda, her attitude to tax, and what she wants to get done in Parliament.You can subscribe to Taxpayer Talk via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio and all good podcast apps.

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