The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through Official Information Act request that Immigration New Zealand has collected $7,546,236 in International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levies (IVL) from people whose visa or NZeTA applications were rejected since 2022.

Between January 2022 and June 2025, 156,773 visa applications and 2,160 NZeTA requests were declined after paying the non-refundable levy. The Ministry justified the policy by saying refund mechanisms would impose “significant administrative costs” on the immigration system.

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:

“This needs to be called what it is, a cash grab. Charging people a levy for conservation and tourism when they never even set foot in New Zealand makes no sense.”

“Immigration New Zealand is pocketing millions from would-be visitors who are told after the fact that their application failed.”

“If the Government can process nearly 160,000 rejections, it can process refunds. The current approach is unfair, and only risks hurting brand New Zealand to the rest of the world.” 

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through Official Information Act request that the Ministry of Social Development is spending $2.8 million on a youth wellbeing survey that included sending brownie boxes worth $7,544 to schools to encourage participation.

The Ministry confirmed that research firm Ipsos, which is contracted to deliver the Youth Health and Wellbeing Survey, sent brownie boxes to 170 schools and 14 kura at $41 each including postage - bringing the total cost of the survey to more than $350 per response.

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator Rhys Hurley said:

“Taxpayers are footing a $2.8 million bill for a survey that somehow needed a nationwide brownie drop to get schools interested.”

“It’s the kind of sugary spending that shows how detached the Wellington Blob has become from reality. Families are having to cut back, while bureaucrats are spending millions with treats to make people fill in surveys.”

"With up to 8,000 participants, it must be asked if $350 per response is really what taxpayers would feel comfortable with."

"Nobody is questioning finding out the state of our youth's wellbeing, but this should be done at a far smaller price.”

Quarter of Te Pāti Māori and One in Five ACT Voters Say Violence May Be Needed to ‘Fix’ New Zealand

A new Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll reveals worrying levels of support for political violence across the political spectrum. One in four Te Pāti Māori voters and one in five ACT voters agree that “New Zealanders may have to resort to violence to get the country back on track."

Younger New Zealanders are far more likely to back political violence — and less likely to have friends with different political views — than older generations.

Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams said:

“It’s alarming that so many New Zealanders think violence might be justified to ‘fix’ the country. This isn’t a fringe issue any more; it’s a massive red flag for the health of our democracy.”

“Younger people are not only more open to violence, but they’re also less likely to have friends who see the world differently. That kind of political isolation breeds extremism.”

“It is frustrating that having had staff receive death threats and direct intimidation, the Police take absolutely no interest. It puts off good people from participating in public affairs - although for some that is the very purpose. We should not have to wait for a tragedy for the Police to get their act together."

"It’s also time for party leaders to take responsibility and tone down the rhetoric before it escalates further. Democracy depends on debate, not intimidation. Once people stop talking to each other and start seeing violence as an answer, we’re in real trouble.”

The Taxpayers' Union is calling on defeated former Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton to stand down as President of LGNZ and prevent more members of the organisation from pulling out and undermining the fiscal viability of the council lobby group.

Preliminary results of the Selwyn mayoralty show Sam Broughton losing in a landslide victory to Lydia Gliddon, with 4156 votes to 15,497 votes.

"LGNZ has becoming overly politicised and mistrusted under Sam Broughton's leadership," said out Taxpayers' Union Executive Director Jordan Williams.

"As we look through the election results it is pretty clear that without wholesale changes at LGNZ, even more councils will likely pull out."

"LGNZ's membership doesn't even cover half of New Zealand's population. As much as we disagree with LGNZ's direction and blatant left-wing activism, even we see that there is a role for a peak-body organisation."

"But fixing LGNZ is unlikely to come from the leadership which got it into this mess. With the electorate so strongly rejecting Mr Broughton, he should fall on his sword and let the newly elected councils who are still members of LGNZ pick a new President."

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling out the outgoing New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom being appointed chief executive of the council’s new Water Services Council Controlled Organisation, the day before local election voting closed.

Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman Rhys Hurley said:

“This fails every test of transparency and fairness. Ratepayers will rightly be asking how the sitting mayor ended up in a lucrative new job through a process hidden from public view.”

“Even if Mr Holdom is qualified, this is just another example of why ratepayers are losing faith in local government."

"When the former mayor steps straight into a top executive role with a council-controlled organisation, it looks like the chief executive is giving jobs to his mates."

"The fact councillors were blindsided and the meeting was held in secret the day before polls closed only makes things worse."

"Ratepayers deserve accountability, not political insiders slipping into cushy ratepayer-funded roles on their way out the door.”

The Taxpayers' Union congratulates fellow Atlas Network participant Maria Corina Machado for winning the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize over the weekend.

Taxpayers' Union Executive Director Jordan Williams said:

"Pro-freedom think tanks in Venezuela were among the very first Atlas Network partners in the early 1980s, promoting the ideas behind the movement for human rights and democratic norms in Venezuela that inspire the country's residents to this day. Machado has tirelessly strived to promote democracy and fight dictatorship in her country."

"Although Machado's involvement in Atlas predates mine, she was heavily involved in Atlas Network at about the same time as New Zealand's now Deputy Prime Minister, David Seymour."

"I am delighted to see that Atlas Network will continue to stand by her side, and alongside all of the world’s freedom’s champions, every step of the way."

"On behalf of the Taxpayers' Union - also an Atlas Network Partner - we extend our congratulations."

Analysis of the 2025 preliminary local election results shows a clear pattern that mayors who treated ratepayers like an ATM have been thrown out of office, while those who showed fiscal restraint have been rewarded.

Across the country, voters have sent a simple message: stop hiking rates.

Of the ten councils with the highest annual rates increases (12.6 percent and above), only one mayor was re-elected - in Grey District. Among the top 20 highest increases (9.9 percent and above), just five mayors kept their jobs.

In contrast, of the ten councils with the smallest rate hikes (5.8 percent and below), seven mayors were re-elected. Among the bottom 20, 13 mayors retained office.

Looking over the past three years, the same pattern holds: councils that delivered cumulative increases of 40 percent or more were punished, while those that kept costs under control were rewarded by voters.

“This is the revenge of the ratepayers,” says Jordan Williams, a spokesperson for the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union. “Communities across New Zealand have sent a message loud and clear — stop using ratepayers as a money tree. Mayors who ignored that message are now out of a job.”

The data shows that fiscal discipline pays off politically. Mayors who respected household budgets and resisted runaway spending were re-elected in large numbers, while those who presided over record hikes and bloated bureaucracies were shown the door.

“This election proves what we’ve said all along: there’s no mandate for endless rate hikes. Councils must start living within their means.”

Reacting to the latest Public Service Workforce figures, the Taxpayers’ Union says it’s a good start but there is still a long way to go. The new data shows the public service has dropped by 1,568 since the last election from 64,222 in September 2023 to 62,654 full time equivalent roles, including a 0.9 percent decrease in the quarter from March to June.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf says:

“It’s encouraging to see the public service finally heading in the right direction, but we’re still a long way from where we need to be.”

“Even after this reduction, there are more than 15,000 extra workers compared to under the last National Government. While some of that may be frontline work we need, far too many bureaucrats remain in bloated back offices and policy shops.”

“This is a step forward, but it can’t be the last one. The Government needs to stay the course and keep trimming back the bureaucracy.”

The Taxpayers' Union is slamming the news that disgraced former Reserve Bank Governor, Adrian Orr, is subject to a gagging clause applicable to not just the Bank, but the Government and Minister of Finance.

Taxpayers' Union Executive Director Jordan Williams said:

“The documents obtained by Newsroom and shared with the Taxpayers' Union demonstrate how false the claims about the $416,000 so-called ‘restraint of trade’ really are. This is a classic gag agreement - designed to protect the reputations of the elite and shun public scrutiny.”

"Taxpayers' money should be not be used to buy the silence of a disgraced former public servant. Nor should someone who, apparently, resigned be given a 'golden goodbye' for agreeing to keep their mouth shut."

"Unless the Reserve Bank - and the Minister - waive the requirements on Mr Orr not to speak, it makes a mockery of public assurances of transparency."

Bad news for National and Labour as they both take a beating in this month's Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll.

The poll, conducted between 01 October and 05 October, shows Labour retain its position as the largest party, dropping 2.6 points to 31.2 percent. National dropped 3.5 points to 29.6 percent. 

The Greens gain 1.3 points to 12.0 percent, while New Zealand First gains 2.5 points to 10.6 percent. ACT drops 0.1 points to 6.6 percent, while Te Pāti Māori gains 0.1 points to 4.4 percent.

Headline results and more information about the methodology can be found on the Taxpayers' Union's website at www.taxpayers.org.nz/2025polloct_taxpcur

For the minor parties, Freedoms NZ is on 2.3 percent (+1.5 points), TOP is on 1.6 percent (+0.5 points), NZ Loyal is on 1.0 percent (+1.0 points), and Vision NZ is on 0.6 percent (+0.6%).

This month's results are compared to the last Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll conducted in September 2025, available at www.taxpayers.org.nz/sept2025_nztucurpoll

The combined projected seats for the Centre-Left remains on 61 seats. The combined seats for the Centre-Right drops 1 to 59. On these numbers, the Centre-Left bloc could form a Government.

Labour drops two seats to 40, while National drops 4 seats to 38. The Greens gain 2 seats to 15, while New Zealand First gains 3 seats to 13. ACT remains on 8, while Te Pāti Māori remain unchanged on 6.

Cost of Living remains voters' top issue on 26.4 percent (-1.1 points), followed by the Economy more generally at 17.4 percent (+1.3 points). Health is the next largest at 10.3 percent (-0.8 points), followed by Employment on 5.1 percent and Poverty on 4.1 percent.

Chris Hipkins has taken the lead as voters' Preferred Prime Minister, rising 3.2 points to 20.9 percent. Christopher Luxon fell 1.9 points to 19.8 percent.

Commenting on the results, Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman James Ross said:

"Treasury's fiscal forecasts have shone National and Labour in terrible lights this month, and a combined 6.1 percent drop for the major parties is quite the vote of no confidence."

"Cost of living and the economy are still voters' major concerns. With the finest of margins between the left and right blocs, tackling these will be key as we head into election year."

Responding to the Reserve Bank’s decision today to reduce the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 50 basis points, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:

“When the only plan for growth seems to be praying for OCR cuts, the Minister of Finance must be thanking her lucky stars for another one.”

“The economy shrank dramatically in quarter two and will likely shrink again in quarter three. Skyrocketing council rate increases will only push inflation higher and will dampen the Reserve Bank’s enthusiasm for further OCR cuts.”

“Relying on monetary policy alone to stimulate growth is not enough - the Government’s fiscal stance needs to dramatically change. Minister Willis simply has to control and reduce wasteful and excessive government expenditure.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming the Government’s inclusion of rate caps in today's Q4 Action Plan, but warns that talk is not enough. Every month of delay means higher rates and more pressure on households already struggling with the cost of living.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson, Tory Relf, said:

“Rates have risen an average of 34 percent over the last three years. Families are tightening their belts while councils keep spending like there’s no tomorrow. Ratepayers are not bottomless cash machines for local government waste.”

“The Government deserves credit for recognising the problem, but it must act sooner rather than later. Councils are working on next year’s budgets right now. If legislation isn’t introduced and passed soon, households will be hit with another round of unaffordable rate hikes.”

“The time for consultation and reviews is over. Ratepayers need action, not promises. We’ll keep the pressure on until rate caps are written into law - and we’ll hold the Government to account every step of the way.”

Reacting to reporting by Newstalk ZB that Finance Minister Nicola Willis' says she only learned of Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr’s severance package when it was made public, the Taxpayers' Union is reiterating its call for the Board to be held to account by Minister Willis.

Taxpayers' Union Executive Director Jordan Williams said:

“Assertions that the Minister of Finance knew nothing of Adrian Orr’s outrageous severance package until yesterday are baffling. So much for the ‘no surprises’ policy."

“Why on earth would the Board think that they needed to restrain Orr’s activities for a period after his departure? This makes absolutely no sense at all. The public deserve full disclosure of the terms and conditions for this payment. In concealing this payment until minimal disclosure was forced upon it through the annual report, the Board have acted in bad faith.”

“The Board has not served the Minister, nor the Government and definitely not taxpayers well. We repeat our call for the Minister to act, and for the Board to be held to account."

The Taxpayers' Union is calling on Finance Minister Nicola Willis to justify why a $416k golden parachute was approved to disgraced governor Adrian Orr, and whether she knew about the proposal before it was agreed to by the RBNZ Board. If she didn't, she should sack the Board members who approved it.

"Heads should roll over this – it's a $416,120 reward for failure," said Jordan Williams of the Taxpayers' Union.

"Calling it a 'restraint of trade' payment is yet another dishonest ruse from the Reserve Bank. It's gaslighting taxpayers."

"Just what were they worried about? Orr is so disgraced that the only Reserve Bank he could take over is in the third world. Heck, we should have been paying others to take him away!"

"Similarly, the idea a commercial bank would touch Orr is ridiculous. It was the commercial banks quietly telling people about Orr's outrageous behaviour in yelling at executives."

"I have never heard of a 'restraint of trade' in the public service. It's a golden parachute."

"Adrian Orr is an ill-tempered bully whose actions lost taxpayers literally billions of dollars.  Yet again, the Reserve Bank's Board have let taxpayers down."

"The Taxpayers' Union has long argued that we need a law to stop those in the public sector paid more than a Member of Parliament from receiving golden handshakes. This is case in point why."

Responding to the Government’s announcement that parents earning more than $65,000 will be responsible for supporting school leavers, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:

“Breaking the benefit trap is good for young people and good for taxpayers. School leavers who go straight onto a benefit often end up spending decades out of work."

“A bit of common sense in the welfare system is long overdue. Parents who can support their kids should do so, and those who genuinely can’t should still have the state’s backing."

“But setting a hard parental income cutoff at $65,000 risks creating a perverse incentive, where parents very quickly become much worse off for earning only slightly more. Support should be tapered off gradually, so families aren’t punished for working harder.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is backing Christopher Luxon’s call for a bipartisan approach to natural gas exploration. Commenting on Luxon’s letter to Labour, Union spokesman James Ross said:

“Energy prices used to be New Zealand's edge, and within a decade they've become one of our biggest liabilities. We’re consciously crippling ourselves, and it’s not sustainable.”

“Not only do high prices worsen the cost-of-living crisis, they’re tanking the economy. The manufacturing sector is in freefall, shrinking 3.5 percent in just the three months to 30 June 2025 alone.”

“Nothing’s going to change while parties keep playing politics with power bills. Labour need to answer the call and find a sensible, bipartisan approach to keeping New Zealand’s lights on.” 

The Taxpayers’ Union is applauding today’s decision from Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk to overhaul the earthquake-prone building system, cutting red tape and saving New Zealanders more than $8.2 billion.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:

“This is a win for common sense. The old rules lumped massive costs on many building owners for little real safety gain. By targeting only buildings that pose a genuine risk to life, the Government is protecting people without bankrupting communities."

"The changes mean that venues like the historic Leys Institute in Ponsonby no longer sit empty and at the mercy of vandals, and can instead be returned to their proper place at the centre of communities - without the projected $9.5 million cost to ratepayers."

“Minister Penk deserves credit for pulling back a system that was punishing ordinary Kiwis. This is what smarter, risk-based regulation looks like.”

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through Official Information Act requests that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry for Primary Industries and the Ministry for the Environment sent 13 staff to the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Collectively, these departments spent $226,159 to cover the cost of the trip, including travel, accommodation and meals.

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator Rhys Hurley said:

“Business class flights and tens of thousands spent on accommodation for a small group of officials is exactly the sort of extravagant spending these high-flying bureaucrats are getting too used to.”

“The irony is hard to miss: this supposedly ‘green’ gathering required 402,610 air miles of business-class travel, all to attend a climate change conference."

"Taxpayers will be left wondering why this couldn’t have been done over Zoom, like most of the other meetings these officials take while in the country.”

“New Zealand already has a world-leading Emissions Trading Scheme. Maybe it’s time for these staff to put down the suitcases and come into the office for a lesson or two.”

This week on Taxpayer Talk, Peter Williams is joined by Roger Partridge from the New Zealand Initiative to unpack his new report: Unscrambling Government: Less Confusion, More Efficiency.

Right now, New Zealand has 81 ministerial portfolios, 28 ministers, and 43 departments. That’s three times as many portfolios and nearly twice as many departments as comparable countries. No wonder things feel messy.

Roger argues this sprawling Cabinet structure makes it harder to know who’s accountable, pushes up costs, and slows down solutions to big challenges like housing, welfare, and climate change. In short: too many cooks, not enough results.

Responding to today’s release of Treasury’s 2025 Long-Term Fiscal Statement, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:

“This was a shot across the bow from Treasury. One way or another, change is coming. We either pick how now, or have the markets make much more unpleasant choices for us.”

“The Treasury Secretary couldn’t have been clearer that the longer we delay, the greater the adjustment we’ll need. Every month delayed makes the future that little bit more painful. It means higher taxes, lower incomes, and less ability to overcome future crises.”

“Our current track has government finances driving straight into a wall. An aging population, increasing health costs, and record levels of government spending have Net Core Crown Debt set to hit 200% of GDP by 2065, compared to just 19.4% in 2018. Interest costs per household could top $60,000 a year.”

“There’s no one silver bullet. Pro-growth tax reform, spending restraint, and welfare reform all need to go hand in hand.”

“This is the time for a full financial reset, to resize government and make way for growth. With one of the largest structural deficits of any developed country and no pathway back to surplus, just shifting money around won’t cut it.”

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union welcomes the appointment of Dr Anna Breman as Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand and is urging her to rein in the waste and empire-building that flourished under Adrian Orr.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson, Tory Relf, said:

"New Zealanders deserve a Reserve Bank that is focused on its core mission of economic prosperity, not one that bloats itself with bureaucrats and pet projects. Under Adrian Orr, staffing numbers ballooned to two and a half times what they were in 2018. That growth is completely out of step with the Bank’s responsibilities, and taxpayers are footing the bill."

"Dr Breman has an opportunity to restore discipline and credibility to the Reserve Bank. That means pulling back from the excesses of the Orr era and ensuring resources are tightly focused on delivering monetary stability for New Zealand households and businesses."

"We urge Dr Breman to draw a line under the empire-building and chaos of the past six years and bring the Reserve Bank back to basics."

Commenting on today’s planned announcement of the next Reserve Bank of New Zealand Governor , Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:

“There’s only one word for timing the announcement of a new RBNZ Governor to take coverage away from today’s Long-Term Fiscal Statement: Cynical.”

“Nicola Willis says she wants the public to have a serious conversation about the long-term challenges facing New Zealand. So why try to bury bad news?”

“Rather than pulling strings to keep the Government’s dire finances off the front pages, all of Nicola Willis’ focus should be on balancing the books.”

Reacting to today’s Mood of the Boardroom survey, the Taxpayers’ Union is saying that the report tells us what taxpayers already know: Nicola Willis has tanked the books and business leaders have lost confidence.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson, Tory Relf, said:

“There are no surprises here. Willis and Luxon have flopped, while the Ministers who are actually making the tough calls and getting work done, like Erica Stanford or Chris Bishop, come out on top. Action is rewarded, not excuses. That’s the difference.”

“Boardrooms aren’t stupid. They can see the dire state of the finances Willis has kept us in. And it’s not just boardrooms feeling the pinch – taxpayers are the ones paying for her failure to get the books under control.”

“That’s exactly why we need a Spring Statement, for Willis to fess up and reset before the year is out. The Government can spin all it likes, but the numbers don’t lie – and neither do the boardrooms.”

“Full capital expensing would give businesses the shot in the arm the country is desperate for. Our Pathway to Surplus report lays out how Nicola Willis can pay for it. Willis doesn’t need another working group or glossy strategy – she needs to pick up A Pathway to Surplus and get on with it. All the answers are in black and white on Willis’ desk, so there’s no more room for excuses.”

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through an Official Information Act request that Waka Kotahi spent $5.05 million on mahi toi (cultural artworks) along the Te Ahu a Turanga – Manawatū Tararua Highway.

The spending went ahead without an open tender process.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:

“Blowing $5 million on roadside art with no accountability is exactly the sort of decision-making that drives up project costs and erodes public trust.”

“While this may be a fraction of the overall budget, the same approach across projects nationwide adds up quickly. What’s the real bill to taxpayers?”

“New Zealand ranks among the top ten percent of OECD countries for infrastructure spending but the bottom ten percent for value for money. That gap comes from poor outcomes and wasteful spending.”

“If Waka Kotahi is serious about trimming non-essential spending, roadside artwork – unrelated to road safety or delivery – would be a good place to start.”

In light of yesterday's alarming GDP figures and the failure of the Government's current fiscal and economic approach, the Taxpayers' Union is calling on Nicola Willis to present a 'Spring Statement' to decidedly reset the economy on a growth path before this year's Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update.

"Two years into the Government's economic agenda, it is clear the current plan is failing and it's time for a bold change in direction," said Hon Ruth Richardson, the Chair of the Taxpayers' Union.

"The first thing the Government needs to do to deliver growth is get Big Government's foot off the throat of the economy. Despite running on a platform of cutting the last government's bloated spending, Nicola Willis has actually increased government spending as a proportion of the economy. She is perpetuating high levels of deficit and debt, which are dragging the economy down."

"Nicola Willis tried to portray her approach favourably in opposition to my 'short and sharp' approach when I faced similar fiscal challenges in the early 1990s. That approach set the scene for a growth rate of 5 percent - it's better to be short and sharp than this long, painful torture of continuing the last government's fiscal recklessness. Yesterday's numbers are vindication of my high-growth choice."

"New Zealanders cannot afford to stick with failing policies. A course correction is urgently needed. The best way to do it is a Spring Statement to correct the fiscal path, get spending under control and give the private sector room to grow again.”

“The Government must stop pretending that the current approach will work.  The attacks on me and others who are pointing out the fiscal elephants in the room do Ms Willis, and all New Zealanders, a disservice. Moving government spending back to, say, the levels of Ardern's 'wellbeing budget' isn't 'slash and burn', it's responsible and necessary."

"Treasury are making clear that the situation is getting worse, not better.  The Government says they are on a path to 'surplus', but it's spin over substance. The amount being borrowed per day now is higher than when the Government entered office.”

“It’s time for a hard reset, a shift in priorities towards fiscal responsibility and economic stability.”

“The longer we wait, the deeper the hole.  A Spring Statement is necessary.”

GDP has fallen 0.9% this quarter. Responding to today’s release of the shocking Q2 2025 GDP figures, Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman James Ross said:

“The economy is shrinking fast, and it is expected to do so again next quarter. These numbers confirm what Kiwis have known for months, which is that Nicola Willis is failing to deliver the economic growth her Government was elected for.”

“On Monday, NZIER forecast economic growth for the year to March 2026 would be just 1.5 percent. That’s less than half the 3.2 percent Treasury forecast for the year to June 2026, produced as recently as May’s Budget.”

“Let’s call the Government’s projections what they are: wishful thinking. But a hope and a prayer won’t keep factories open, offices full, and services funded.”

“Paltry growth means tax revenues will continue to fall below expectations. Any hopes of balancing the books will keep slipping further away, unless this Government kicks its wasteful spending habits.”

“The ball is in Nicola Willis’ court. It has been for nearly two years now.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is criticising the Government for skimming up to $139 million a year from the International Visitor Levy while telling the public it’s for tourism and conservation, raising serious questions about whether the levy is being used as promised.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:

“No wonder the Department of Conservation wants to charge visitors extra for certain sites; the Government is siphoning off tourist tax money instead of properly funding conservation.”

“They’ve also announced a new events fund that’s smaller than the amount they’re keeping from the levy. It looks like the tourist tax has just become a general top-up for the Crown’s books, not the dedicated tourism and conservation fund people were told it would be.”

“When the Government tells the public that the IVL is for tourism and conservation but quietly diverts hundreds of millions elsewhere, it undermines trust and accountability. New Zealanders and visitors alike are entitled to expect levies collected for a specific purpose to actually be spent on that purpose.”

This week on Taxpayer Talk, Peter Williams sits down with financial advisor and Stewart Group founder Nick Stewart to tackle a question too many councils would rather avoid: are skyrocketing rates making inflation worse?

Nick explains how council spending flows through to households and businesses, pushing up the cost of living just as families are already struggling. Rates might look like a local issue, but the ripple effects are felt nationwide.

If you’ve ever wondered why your grocery bill feels higher every time the council votes through another rates hike, this episode is a must-listen.

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has today released the Ratepayer Voting Guide, giving voters a clear picture of where local body election candidates stand on rates, transparency, and unelected appointments. 

The Guide is based on candidates’ responses to the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, which asked every mayoral and council candidate to commit to: 

• Opposing rates, levies, and charges rising faster than inflation and population growth, 

• Supporting greater transparency of council spending through tools such as online expenditure disclosure and open data, 

• Opposing unelected members being appointed to council committees with spending and regulatory powers. 

The release of the Ratepayer Voting Guide comes after a series of mayoral debates across the country where voters could question their candidates directly.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson, Tory Relf, said: 

“Councils make decisions that affect households every day, yet most voters have no idea where their candidates actually sit on the big issues. The Ratepayer Voting Guide cuts through the spin and shows who is standing up for ratepayers and who isn’t.” 

“Every one of the more than 350 pledge signatories has been published online, so ratepayers can check their local candidates before casting a vote. This is about accountability and making sure ratepayers aren’t left guessing at the ballot box.” 

“Ratepayers are sick of higher bills, poor transparency, and unelected voices wielding power. The Voting Guide makes it easy to back candidates who will deliver change.” 

The Ratepayer Voting Guide is available now at www.Ratepayer.Vote

If candidates have not responded to the pledge and wish to do so, they can email [email protected] throughout the campaign period and the website will be updated.

A new Taxpayers' Union - Curia poll of Queenstown Lakes voters shows that the mayoral race is wide open, ahead of the Taxpayers’ Union-hosted Mayoral Debate taking place in Queenstown tonight.

The independent poll of 500 residents found that while incumbent Glyn Lewers has the biggest support among voters, at just 11 percent, 71 percent of voters remain undecided.

Darren Rewi is on 6 percent, John Glover on 4 percent, Daniel Shand and Nik Kiddle on 2 percent each, and Al Angus on 1 percent.

On broader sentiment, only 28 percent of residents said Queenstown-Lakes is heading in the right direction, while 59 percent said the wrong direction — a net positive of -31 percent. 58 percent rated Queenstown Lakes District Council's performance as below average.

When asked about local issues, 77 percent of Queenstown Lakes residents said they support a cap on rates increases, while just 9 percent oppose and 13 percent are unsure.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said the results show tonight’s debate will be a key opportunity for candidates to win over undecided voters.

“With nearly three quarters of Queenstown Lakes residents yet to make up their minds, tonight’s debate is going to matter. These results clearly show that voters have strong opinions on rates and the overall direction of Queenstown Lakes District Council. We are expecting a robust debate tonight as ratepayers decide for themselves who stands for them."

Footage of the debate will be available on the Taxpayers' Union social media tomorrow, Friday 12 September.

The Taxpayers’ Union has welcomed commitment from ACT to oppose voting powers for unelected appointees in local government, included in today’s Democracy policy release.

“Democracy has been treated as a plaything in local councils for too long. Making a clear stand on this issue is essential for restoring fair and accountable governance in local government.” said Sam Warren, Local Government Campaign Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union.

“Councils are in disarray. Rates are climbing, and the need for representatives who are truly accountable to the public is more important than ever. Good advice and insight can certainly be offered by experts and interested parties, but at the end of the day, democracy must be front and centre in all decision-making.”

“Every ACT Local candidate standing for council has committed to all three policy items in the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, that includes opposing unelected appointees. It’s a massive win for ratepayers as they begin to vote, seeing a range of candidates wearing their policies on their sleeves. Candidates who have signed the pledge, and those who have not, can be found at Ratepayer.vote.”

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling for an end to the 16 year old National Ticketing System (NTS) after the announcement the scheme's full implementation will now be delayed until 2027.

An Official Information Act request has revealed the scheme was reviewed in October 2024 and was deemed well governed and resourced, with feasibility issues deemed resolvable at the time. Yet this latest delay comes with changes to the programme’s governance, leadership, delivery, and decision-making.

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:

“Each Kiwi household is having to stump up $650 each for this ongoing fiasco, with costs of $80 million every year. This project is already sixteen years old yet what do we have to show for it?”

“As if that wasn’t long enough it’s now slipped back yet another year. The least the public should expect is a full, unredacted copy of where this all became such a mess in the newest independent review next month”

“More to the point, whoever at NZTA created the October review calling the project “well governed, led and resourced” needs to hang their head in shame.”

“The National Ticketing System needs scrapping, and replaced with a simple, off-the-shelf card payment solution if we’re ever going to put this John Key-era money pit to bed.”

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through an Official Information Act request that Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) collected $712 million from the fire levy last year, yet are failing to maintain frontline equipment while executives and back-office staff take home millions.

New figures obtained under the Official Information Act show:

• 1 in 4 fire trucks (347) are over 25 years old
• FENZ Chief Executive is paid $503,000
• The seven Deputy Chief Executives are collectively paid up to $2.37 million
• Over 800 non-frontline staff are employed in support and managerial roles

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:

“While unpaid volunteers respond to emergencies in decades-old trucks, FENZ’s top brass is earning more than the Prime Minister. It’s an insult to every firefighter doing the real work.”

“This is an organisation funded by a compulsory levy on every insured Kiwi home and business. But instead of going to the front line, the money is vanishing into bloated management and Wellington salaries.”

“The fire levy isn’t just a tax but a blank cheque for bureaucracy. We now have seven Deputy Chief Executives, hundreds of non-frontline staff, and trucks so old they belong in a museum.”

“If FENZ can afford $500,000 for its CEO and nearly $2.4 million for his deputies, it can afford to buy new trucks for our volunteer brigades.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is applauding the decisive action taken by Ruapehu District Council to rein in a projected $700,000 overspend in its Community and Recreational Services, managing to offset it without saddling ratepayers with additional debt.

Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman, Sam Warren, said:

“The council spotted a budget hole the size of a ski field and managed to fill it without sending ratepayers the bill. That’s how it should be.”

“Finding savings in operations, consultancy, maintenance, and finance might not sound glamorous, but it beats the usual trick of hiking rates. Ratepayers will be relieved to see some good old-fashioned fiscal responsibility for a change.”

“This is exactly the kind of accountability and cost-conscious governance taxpayers expect: when mistakes happen, own them, fix them, and get on with serving the community without reaching into ratepayers’ pockets.”

A new Taxpayers' Union - Curia poll of Hastings voters shows Marcus Buddo in the lead in the race for mayor, ahead of the Taxpayers’ Union-hosted Hastings Mayoral Debate taking place in Havelock North tonight.

The independent poll of 500 residents found Buddo has the support of 25 percent of decided voters, with Damon Harvey on 14 percent, and Wendy Schollum on 12 percent. 

Steve Gibson is on 9 percent, and Darrin Wilson on 3 percent. A large proportion, 28 percent of voters, remain undecided.

Damon Harvey has the highest name recognition at 65 percent, followed by Wendy Schollum on 59 percent. Steve Gibson follows on 51 percent, Marcus Buddo is on 45 percent, and Darrin Wilson on 33 percent.

On broader sentiment, 50 percent of residents said Hawke’s Bay is heading in the right direction, while 29 percent said the wrong direction — a net positive of +21 percent.

When asked about local issues, 70 percent of Hastings residents said they support a cap on rates increases, while just 21 percent oppose and 9 percent are unsure.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said the results show tonight’s debate will be a key opportunity for candidates to win over undecided voters.

“With more than a quarter of Hastings residents yet to make up their minds, tonight’s debate is going to matter. Voters clearly care about rates and the direction of the region, so we expect some robust discussion as ratepayers get into who stands for them - and who stands against.

Footage of the debate will be available on the Taxpayers' Union social media tomorrow, Tuesday 9 September.

Mixed news for National in this month's Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll, with National gaining but the Coalition unable to form a Government.

The poll, conducted between 31 August and 02 September, shows Labour hold on to its spot as the largest party, gaining 0.2 points to 33.8 percent. National gained 1.3 points to 33.1 percent.

The Greens gain 0.9 points to 10.7 percent, while New Zealand First gains 0.3 points to 8.1 percent. ACT drop 1.9 points to 6.7 percent, while Te Pāti Māori gains 1.1 point to 4.3 percent.

Headline results and more information about the methodology can be found on the Taxpayers' Union's website at www.taxpayers.org.nz/sept2025_nztucurpoll

For the minor parties, TOP is on 1.1 percent (-1.5 points), Outdoors and Freedom is on 0.8 percent (-0.3 points), Vision NZ is on 0.6 percent (+0.2 points), and New Conservatives are on 0.3 percent (+0.3 points).

This month's results are compared to the last Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll conducted in August 2025, available at https://www.taxpayers.org.nz/augpoll2025_250808

The combined projected seats for the Centre-Left remains on 61 seats. The combined seats for the Centre-Right drops 1 seat from last month to 60. On these numbers, the Centre-Left bloc could form a Government.

Labour drops 1 seat from last month to 42, while National gains 2 to 42. The Greens gain 1 seat to 13, while New Zealand First remain on 10. ACT drops 3 seats to 8, while Te Pāti Māori remain unchanged on 6.

Cost of Living remains voters' top issues at 27.5 percent (+3.1 points), followed by the Economy more generally at 16.1 percent (-4.6 points). Health is the next largest at 11.1 percent (+1.1%), followed by Employment on 7.5 percent and Taxes on 4.7 percent.

Commenting on the results, Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman James Ross said:

"With Labour and National tied on 42 seats each, it's neck and neck as we close in on the final year before the next election:"

"This Government is still hanging on by its fingertips. They were elected to provide cost-of-living relief, and so far they've been unable to deliver."

"If National want to go into the next election with some breathing room, families need to stop feeling the squeeze. That means growth, jobs, and rates relief."

This week on Taxpayer Talk, James sits down with John O'Connell, Chief Executive of the UK TaxPayers' Alliance. John and James dig into some big issues, to see what New Zealand can learn from the UK's (many) mistakes.

Rates caps, death tax, and John's role in exposing the infamous MPs' expenses scandal, which forced every British MP to open their expense reports to public scrutiny. Six MPs were jailed, and hundreds more were caught out.

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling out the Government over its release of internal documents revealing an $8.4b “unfunded” hole in funding future public services over the years to 2028/29.

Taxpayers’ Union Economist Ray Deacon said:

"The Minister of Finance’s current strategy is to tinker around the edges and shuffle spending, but if we want to balance the books and close the deficit, hard choices must be made."

"This Government has no serious fiscal plan. It’s simply hoping that growth alone will cover the gap - but hope is not a strategy, especially when the country faces a debt burden equivalent to $138,900 per household."

"The refusal to scrap costly legacy programmes like the $1.09 billion film subsidies and $3.54 billion in KiwiSaver top-ups shows this Government isn’t yet willing to make the calls that matter."

"The Taxpayers’ Union is urging Finance Minister Nicola Willis to adopt the common-sense reforms in our policy roadmap, A Pathway to Surplus."

"Our plan gives the Minister the tools to smash the deficit, stop the borrowing, and restore New Zealand’s financial resilience."

"If the Government is serious about avoiding higher taxes, a credit downgrade, and mounting debt, it needs a real plan, not just blaming Labour's sins of the past."

The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming a new report from The New Zealand Initiative calling for Cabinet reform, saying the bloated system of portfolios and departments wastes money and dodges accountability.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:

“This report must be a wakeup call to the Government. New Zealand has 81 portfolios, 28 ministers, and 43 departments. That’s three times as many portfolios as comparable countries. Taxpayers are footing the bill while accountability vanishes.”

“When a ministry like MBIE answers to 20 different ministers, no one is clearly in charge. That means delays, excuses, and wasted money.”

“Countries like Ireland and Singapore prove you can govern effectively with 15–20 ministers. It’s time for New Zealand to cut Cabinet down to size and make responsibility clear.”

“If the Government is serious about delivering for New Zealanders, it must take this report as a blueprint: set a clear target to cut Cabinet down to size, publish a timeline, and start the job of rebuilding accountability.”

“This Government has shown no pathway back to surplus. Getting the bureaucratic beast under control is the only way they’ll cut costs”

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is backing ACT MP Cameron Luxton's concerns over councils campaigning in favour of Māori wards. Legal advice circulated to all councils by Taituarā has already made it clear that doing so may breach electoral law and could result in the poll being declared void and another poll issued.

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:

“Promoting a ‘Council position’ on the very question up for public vote risks invalidating the result entirely. Despite this, councils like Hastings and now Western Bay of Plenty are using ratepayer money pushing their staff’s own views.”

"This is a matter of democratic integrity. You can’t be both referee and cheerleader. When councils take a side in a process they’re meant to run neutrally, they’re opening the door to legal challenges and a possible repeat of the entire poll.”

“Councils have been clearly warned. Not just of the legal risk, but of potential Auditor-General investigations, overturned results, Ministerial intervention and the cost to ratepayers of having to redo the same poll.”

“If councillors want to campaign, they should do it with their own money and time. Not with ratepayer-funded communications teams.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on Nicola Willis to be bold and adopt full capital expensing to give firms the certainty they need, among reports that the Investment Boost programme has failed to spark the confidence firms need to invest.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:

“While the Government’s Investment Boost programme was a small step in the right direction, it hasn’t gone far enough. We called it at the time – the programme lacked the ambition needed and was destined to become a flop. Business owners are still left without the confidence they need to commit to new investment.”

“Unlike the limited 20 percent Investment Boost, full capital expensing would allow businesses to immediately deduct the full cost of new equipment, machinery, and technology. That puts more cash in the hands of firms right away, making it easier to take on ambitious projects and invest in growth.”

“Full expensing has already been shown to work overseas. In the United States and the United Kingdom it drove higher business investment, productivity, and even boosted tax revenue over time. If Willis is serious about getting the economy moving, she should be ambitious and deliver the policy in full.”

"How much more advice will it take for Willis to do the right thing? She travelled to the UK, where the Adam Smith Institute gave her the exact same advice - full capital expensing is a tried-and-tested way to boost growth."

“If Nicola Willis wants a plan that actually gets businesses investing, she should read our report, Going for Growth: Full Expensing of Capital Expenditure.”

The Taxpayers' Union has slammed Labour's backing of a proposal to create a taxpayer-funded agency for union delegate training, calling it a misuse of public funds to benefit Labour’s union allies.

Taxpayers' Union spokesperson, Tory Relf, said:

"It is outrageous that Labour would use taxpayers' money to fund training for unions when those same unions fund Labour's political campaigns. This is a clear conflict of interest and would be an egregious overstep of government resources."

"Last year, we exposed how taxpayers forked out at least $871,000 a year for MBIE staff to do union work on taxpayer time. Now, we’re seeing Labour propose a taxpayer-funded agency to train unions. This is a pattern of wasteful spending to support Labour's union partners."

"The Public Service Administration’s recent attempts to smear New Zealand’s meat inspection standards by contacting foreign embassies are just another example of the damage these unions are causing, yet Labour want to reward them.”

“It’s time for Labour to stop prioritising their union backers at the expense of taxpayers.”

https://www.buzzsprout.com/944017/episodes/17672947

Building anything in New Zealand has no shortage of challenges. Whether it be soaring costs, reels of red tape, or problems with supplying labour, our choked infrastructure pipeline deeply affects this country's economy and quality of life. 

CEO for Infrastructure New Zealand, Nick Leggett, joins Peter Williams for a deep dive into how can overcome these challenges so we can build faster, more efficiently, and more affordably.

Rates across the country have soared, many into the double-digits. But while most councils point fingers and find excuses, Mayor for Whanganui Andrew Tripe has kept his average rates increase as little as 2.2 percent – the lowest in the country this year.

Mayor Tripe joins Peter Williams for a discussion on how this was achieved, and the work behind getting his Council focused on the basics, while keeping up with important infrastructure and services, and paying down debt. 

Hutt City Council Mayor Campbell Barry has called on councils not to spend recklessly after removing water services from their balance sheets.

Responding to this, Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman Sam Warren said:

“Shifting most of their assets off the books means councils can return the majority of the rates take to ratepayers. It’s not an invitation for yet another local government lolly scramble.”

“Candidates looking to use this as an opportunity to sneak huge increases in the cost of living for ratepayers need to be front up and admit it before voting opens next month.”

“Well done to Campbell Barry for this shot across the bow, reminding councils that their first obligation is to the people paying the bills. It’s a shame he didn’t realise that before hiking rates 44.7 percent over the last three years, but better late than never.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is sounding the alarm that recent reports of public service reforms are falling short of delivering the bold changes needed to tackle inefficiency and escalating national debt.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson, Tory Relf, said:

“The proposed reforms are nothing more than a superficial reshuffle. Without cutting duplication and reducing waste, these changes will be just rearranging the deck chairs under a different logo.”

“We’re in a structural deficit, with no plan whatsoever to get back to surplus. If now isn’t the time to cut costs, when is? Former Minister Peter Dunne is right that a radical cost-cutting review is long overdue. Any efficiencies should go straight to tackling the national debt, which is fast approaching $300 billion as highlighted by the National Debt Clock.”

“Merging departments is fine, but what is the point if you’re keeping all the same functions? There’s still 16,286 bureaucrats than there were in 2017 - focus on cutting these first.”

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has slammed Grey District Council for its disgusting conduct during a council meeting, where councillors laughed when asked how residents felt about rates increases.

“It’s utterly disgusting behaviour from councillors. Clearly the mask has slipped, showing no remorse for the impact their rates increases have placed on households.” said Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers' Union.

“Where is exactly do Grey councillors find so funny? Under their watch, Greymouth has suffered an average rates increase of 37 percent in the last three years. That’s incredibly serious, and cackling away in their chambers only shows how insensitive they are to the issue.”

“Locals neither want nor deserve clowns running the show. The only way to show us they’re serious is to sign the Ratepayer Protection Pledge by 1 September, publicly committing to keeping rate rises below inflation and easing the pressure on households."

The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on Nicola Willis to protect the dignity of the Reserve Bank and sack its chair, after yet another of Neil Quigley’s gaffes was made public today.

Commenting, Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams said:

“Let’s call this for what it is: Neil Quigley was asking Treasury to break the law to protect ‘goodwill’ between Treasury and the RBNZ.  That alone should see his out the door.”

“Last month, Quigley was caught out having lied to the public. We said back then he had to go. Avoiding bad PR is not a reason to break the OIA, and Nicola Willis is looking weaker by the day she doesn’t show him the door.”

“We are hearing good quality people are passing up roles at the RBNZ because of Quigley’s continued tenure. He risks tainting the next Governor before they're even in the job, when it was never intended that the guy who picked Adrian Orr would get another go at it.”

"Why is Nicola Willis not putting Quigley out of his misery and protecting the Central Bank's reputation?" 

Revenue Minister Simon Watts has confirmed a major victory for taxpayer privacy with plans to repeal Section 17GB of the Tax Administration Act 1994.

The so-called “Nosey Parker” clause, introduced in 2022, gave Inland Revenue the power to demand “any information the Commissioner considers relevant” for tax policy or reform, regardless of how private or personal.

The Taxpayers’ Union, which spearheaded a campaign to scrap the law, says the repeal is long overdue.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:

“David Parker’s snoopers’ charter is headed for the scrap heap, and good riddance. Taxpayers have a right to privacy, regardless of how little the former Labour Revenue Minister may have respected that."

“Open-ended, arbitrary powers have no place in the tax system, just like IRD has no business prying into people’s family lives or spending habits.”

“Rammed through during COVID with no public consultation, there was next to no limit on the taxman’s powers to rifle through people’s private lives. Well done to Minister Watts for putting Big Brother back in his box.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is backing Public Service Commissioner Brian Roche’s call to cut waste by consolidating or abolishing costly demographic ministries, like the Ministry for Women and Ministry for Pacific Peoples.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:

“New Zealanders don’t not need individual government agencies for each demographic. We need a government that delivers quality service and value for taxpayers’ money.”

“Our A Pathway to Surplus report shows scrapping the five overlapping agencies would save $2.4 billion between now and 2028, putting $1,200 back into each household’s bank account. Minister Willis wants to ease the cost of living - here’s the answer.”

“The Public Service Commissioner is right to call for leaner public services that focus on all Kiwis’ outcomes. Given there’s still more bureaucrats now than at the last election, here’s the place to start cutting.” 

NEW POLL: Rates Caps Backed by Every Group Polled

In the latest Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll, voters overwhelmingly expressed support for rates capping.

Voters backed rates capping by a ratio of almost 3:1, with 64 percent of voters supporting rates caps compared to just 22 percent who opposed. 14 percent were unsure.

Respondents were asked:

"The Government is planning to introduce a law that would cap how much local councils can increase rates by every year. Do you support or oppose there being a rates cap law?"

Moreover, voters of every Parliamentary party were majority in support of rates cap laws. As were voters of every single age group, gender, and region.

Net support by Party was:

New Zealand First +65 percent
National +61 percent
Undecideds +48 percent
ACT +38 percent
Greens +37 percent
Labour +22 percent
Te Pati Māori +19 percent

Commenting on these results, Taxpayers' Union spokesman James Ross said:

"The Government might be backing rates caps, but its time for all parties to get on board. There's no votes to be won by playing partisan games when Kiwis want a solution that will stick."

"With the average rates bill spiralling 34 percent in just three years, people don't just want rates caps: they want them now."

"Rates hikes are the single largest contributor to the cost of living crisis. Voters of all stripes want to see an end to the gravy train."

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has today launched the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, 14 days before voting opens for local body elections.

Every candidate standing mayor and council has been asked for their commitment to ratepayers over three key issues;

1.) Oppose any measures that will see the total burden of rates, levies and additional council charges exceed the level of inflation and population growth, 

2.) Support initiatives that will improve transparency of council expenditure, including the public disclosure of all expenditure items (known as 'armchair audit' and 'open data')

3.) Oppose unelected appointments onto council committees with spending and regulatory powers.

Taxpayers’ Union Local Government Campaigns Manager, Sam Warren, said:

“Councils are only as good as the people we elect to sit on them. Often we don’t know where they stand on important issues. The Ratepayer Protection Pledge draws a line in the sand to highlight which candidates are standing with ratepayers this year.”

“Every name added to the pledge will be published online, so voters can make an informed decision on who best represents them, and who chooses to coast through another term of higher rates and less transparency.”

“Councils today are in bad shape. We need good candidates to make a stand. They have until Monday 1 September to add their names and show us how seriously they will take the growing call for change in local government.”

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is questioning a new $500,000 pilot fund from NZ On Air to subsidise national concert tours but only for artists who have already received taxpayer support and completed a prior headline tour.

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley said:

“If you’ve already got a taxpayer-funded music project, already have done a tour, and already have a professional team behind you then congratulations, NZ On Air might just give you another $50,000.”

“How does taxpayer top-up for artists who are already shown they are well-established and commercially viable support startup musicians?”

"This funding is a perfect example of how public arts money often goes to the same insiders, while working artists who are actually building a following get overlooked."

“Let’s be real, if you’ve already had a national tour and a government grant, it’s time to stand on your own two feet. Taxpayers shouldn’t be paying for encore rounds.”

"Public money needs to start going to the frontline services where it’s actually needed, not to those with the best industry connections."

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling out The Wairarapa Times Age for overstepping the line between journalism and political activism after it publicly endorsed council amalgamation in Wairarapa, stated it will be lobbying candidates and dismissed public input as irrelevant.

Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman Sam Warren said:

“When local journalists start telling communities their voices don’t matter, they stop being part of the fourth estate and start acting like political lobbyists.”

“The role of the media is to inform and scrutinise, not push a political agenda. It’s not the job of editors to decide how local government should be structured, especially when they openly admit they don’t trust the public to decide for themselves.”

“Calls for amalgamation are often pushed by council insiders with no understanding of what communities actually want or need.”

“The Auckland Super City was supposed to deliver savings and efficiency. What it delivered was higher rates, more bureaucracy, and less local control. And now the same elite voices want to repeat the same mistake in Wairarapa.”

“We urge journalists to stick to reporting the facts and let communities decide how they want to be governed.”

The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that Kapiti Coast District Council didn’t bother to bond CEO Darren Edwards to the Council, despite approving a $42,979 six-day Harvard Business School programme for him. Mr Edwards can walk away from the role at anytime, with ratepayers picking up the tab for his personal development.

Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams said:

“Edwards could resign tomorrow and wouldn’t have to pay back a cent. Ratepayers are being cheated.” 

“Usual practise for any employer is to bond an employees for at least a year to ensure that the organisation actually gets the value for the training. But not at Kapiti Coast District Council - where the spending was rubber stamp approved with no strings attached. He is not even obliged to serve out until the end of his fixed term contract.”

“The casual approach taken to what amounts to a $43,000 discretionary bonus is astounding and represents a major failure in governance. Ratepayers expect the Mayor and Councillors to be taking the same approach as any private sector employer would: ensure that the benefits of such a large spend accrue to the organisation." 

“Given Mr Edwards’ past, we are frankly amazed he was even admitted into the Harvard course.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is calling out RNZ for being quick to amplify council spin but ignoring the people footing the bill.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson, Tory Relf, said:

“RNZ continues to give councils a free pass while shutting out the voices of the very people forced to pay their bills. By shutting out the ratepayer perspective, it’s no wonder the broadcaster’s audience is walking away.”

“RNZ’s coverage parrots spin about ‘rundown infrastructure’ if rates are capped but never asks how much more struggling households can afford.”

“Ratepayers have faced rates hikes of more than 60 percent over just three years in some areas. For RNZ to ignore that side of the story is a slap in the face to the very people funding local government, and RNZ itself.”

“Until RNZ starts treating ratepayers fairly, it will keep losing the trust and ears of the public.”

Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ attack on the Taxpayers’ Union doesn't hide the fact that under her watch government spending as a share of the economy is significantly higher than when Grant Robertson left office.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:

“Willis is entitled to her own opinion but she’s not entitled to her own facts. She is deflecting from the state of the economy by making cheap shots, but the fact remains that spending as a proportion of the economy has surged on her watch, making the cost of living crisis even worse. That is not responsible fiscal management, it is a doubling down of Grant Robertson economics.”

"And Willis knows it. She is clearly under pressure to start performing. That's why she's pointing to supposed future reductions as a fix. It's as if she's not already delivered two government budgets."

“Willis needs to get off the starting block, and even the Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Statement admits we need to see some pro-growth policies. That doesn’t mean continuing to take more money from the public than at any point under the last government.”

“There are plenty of places for savings without having to touch schools and hospitals, as outlined in our A Pathway to Surplus report. Or perhaps the Minister can start with her own international travel rather than touching health or education?”

“The fact Willis needs to attack using a left-wing caricature speaks for itself. Attacking the Taxpayers' Union doesn't fix the fact that while options are there for Willis to take, what’s missing is the political will."

The Taxpayers’ Union says today’s 25 basis point cut to the OCR is no substitute for the Government tackling its reckless spending.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson, Tory Relf, said:

“This isn’t a normal downturn, it’s a prolonged recession. The Reserve Bank has done its bit, but the real problem is fiscal. Inflation is set to bounce back, and council rate hikes are still feeding through the system.”

“Nicola Willis keeps praying for growth while kicking the surplus can further down the road. Fitch may have reaffirmed our AA+ credit rating, but they made it clear debt is higher and consolidation has been delayed.”

“The Treasury has already shouted ‘fire’, yet the Minister refuses to act. Until the Government reins in its spending, no amount of OCR cuts will rescue the economy.”

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through an Official Information Act request that NIWA is refusing to disclose how much it paid private developers to build an online climate adaptation game, or the total cost of the game, despite the project being funded by taxpayers through the MBIE Endeavour Fund.

The “My Coastal Futures” game, built by NIWA in partnership with Hum Interactive and Geo AR Games, has research costs estimated at over $300,000, yet NIWA has refused to reveal what the subcontractors were paid, citing vague claims of commercial confidentiality.

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:

“This is public money, spent on a public project, developed by private companies. Yet NIWA is stonewalling. New Zealanders have every right to know how much was paid, and to whom.”

“If the Government can publish what it spends on roadworks, consultancy reports, or film grants, then there’s no excuse for hiding the cost of a publicly funded game.”

“The Ombudsman must step in and start hold agencies to account when they misuse ‘commercial sensitivity’ as a catch-all excuse to dodge transparency.”

“The fact that NIWA won’t even release the bill speaks volumes about how far some agencies have drifted from basic public accountability. The new Earth Sciences New Zealand must do better and uphold the principals its predecessor has ignored.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming news of further cuts to taxpayer-funded research that results in little to no value to the taxpayer, including the Marsden Fund and the Endeavour Fund.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:

“We’ve seen six-figure grants handed out to study how dating apps are used, whether it’s ‘benevolently sexist’ to think men should protect women, and even the history of Spanish bullfighting. Taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to fund this nonsense while households are struggling with the cost of living.”

“In the past, we have highlighted dozens of similar examples, from projects exploring Pacific climate change storytelling to finding out how religion affects inequality – in Fiji. While academics may enjoy this kind of work, taxpayers rightly expect research dollars to deliver tangible benefits here in New Zealand.”

“Tightening the tap on wasteful research spending is exactly what taxpayers expect. The Government should keep going until every dollar is focused on projects with real-world outcomes that benefit New Zealanders.”

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is applauding Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden for rejecting costly bureaucratic delay tactics and changing the Department of Internal Affairs/Te Tari Taiwhenua logo and name at minimal cost.

Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman, Rhys Hurley said:

“Brooke deserves full credit for cutting through the Wellington blob. This is what leadership looks like: clear, simple, and grounded in the affordability the public actually wants.”

“Wellington bureaucrats wanted expensive rebranding exercises and endless consultation. Brooke said no, and just got on with it."

"She’s a hero for telling the bureaucracy she could do it herself for no cost if they wouldn't.”

“For any other Minister looking to implement the change we’ll do the job for free. No consultants, no branding agencies, no bureaucratic waffle and delays, just a clean, free fix."

Former Wellington Chief Executive Barbara McKerrow will act as interim Chief Executive for Whanganui Council in what has been described as an ‘exciting new adventure’ by McKerrow and a ‘terrifying new chapter’ for Whanganui ratepayers.

Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union, Sam Warren, said:

“Our thoughts are with the people of Whanganui during these uncertain times.”

“McKerrow brings with her a track record, just not the kind you’d want to flaunt. Under her clerkship, Wellington experienced phenomenal disfunction and rates rises – we can only hope Whanganui doesn’t have a town hall that needs upgrading, or pipes to fix.”

“While in Wellington, McKerrow’s $553,356 pay packet raised some eyebrows when compared to her performance. The latest Taxpayers’ Union Council CEO Rich List ranked her as the second-highest paid individual council CEO. For the sake of Whanganui ratepayers, let’s hope McKerrow brings more bang for buck this time round.“

“With McKerrow should come a warning not to repeat the same mistakes. For McKerrow, we wish her ‘bon voyage’. For Whanganui locals, we wish you ‘good luck – she’s your problem now’”.

With recent reports that New Zealand’s total private and public borrowing will soon pass one trillion dollars, how much of this is being racked up by the Government?  The Government’s gross debt has passed $281 billion (see DebtClock.nz).

“New Zealanders are already drowning in debt, from record mortgages to council and business borrowing. Together, we’re closing in on a trillion dollars. Instead of easing the load, the Government is piling on hundreds of billions more.”

“Total Government borrowing is now nearing $140,000 per household. That’s not just numbers on a spreadsheet; it’s a massive mortgage hanging over every Kiwi family, one they never signed up for.”

“Voters wanted change, but Nicola Willis is marching down the same road as Grant Robertson – only faster. While families tighten their belts, Willis is doing the opposite and borrowing more recklessly than Labour ever did.”

“Nicola Willis promised discipline, but she’s proven to be just as reckless as her predecessor. All we’ve got is more borrowing, more waste, and a bigger bill for the next generation.”

For live updates on the Government debt burden, visit DebtClock.nz.

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling for RNZ to be privatised, with the reported audience numbers declining sharply and its Wellington-centric content failing to resonate across the country.

A recent report reveals:

• Fewer than 467,700 cumulative listeners remain, down from 700,000 in 2020
• Wellington-centric content alienates audiences in other regions, with many feeling disconnected from RNZ’s urban, political, and cultural focus

Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman, Rhys Hurley, said:

“RNZ’s audience is falling and it is falling fast. The time has come to sell RNZ while it still has value, rather than continue to throw taxpayer money at a service that can’t connect with the wider public.”

“RNZ’s audience is falling and it is falling fast. The time has come to sell RNZ while it still has value, rather than continue to throw taxpayer money at a service that can’t connect with the wider public.”

“Wellington-centric programming with Red Radio’s signature political slant is alienating listeners across the country. RNZ’s around $62 million taxpayer funding is being spent without the public getting the return on investment it deserves.”

“If RNZ was a private entity, it would be forced to adapt or fail. Instead, the public is being asked to fund an increasingly irrelevant broadcaster in an already competitive market.”

“RNZ already sees itself internally as a sunset organisation. While it still has an audience left, sell it and reinvest taxpayer funds in services that actually serve the public rather than just a Wellington elite.”

The Taxpayers’ Union has released its annual Council Chief Executive Rich List, revealing the full renumeration received by Council CEOs over the 2023-24 financial year. 

Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union, said:

“As households across New Zealand have been tightening their belts to pay for massive rates increases, council bosses are taking home an average five and a half times more than the average Kiwi salary.”

“Despite the recession, town clerks are living it up – the average council CEO pocketed a pay hike of 16 grand. While ratepayers are forking out 35 percent more on average than three years ago, there’s no shortage of cash in the CEO households.”

The 5 highest-paying councils are:

Christchurch City Council (Mary Richardson / Dawn Baxendale) - $1,027,696
Gore District Council (Deborah Lascelles / Lornae Straith / Stephen Parry) - $771,558
Auckland Council (Phil Wilson) - $735,935
Rotorua Lakes Council (Andrew Moraes / Gina Rangi / Geoff Williams) - $695,961
Tauranga City Council (Marty Grenfell) - $623,658

"Perhaps the CEO job title should be reverted to Town Clerk to get the pay packets back under control. Town Clerk is more honest. Seldom are they actual 'CEOs' from the private sector - most are just overpaid professional bureaucrats."

“The question needs to be asked, do these Chief Execs really need these massive, ratepayer-funded, pay packets? Very clearly, the spirit of ‘public service’ has left many town halls. While households are cutting back on essentials, these CEOs are cashing in.”

“It’s hypocrisy, plain and simple. Ratepayers are told there’s no money for basic services, but somehow there’s always room in the budget for yet another salary hike at the top.”

“It’s time to return to the spirit of public service, cap rates and force councils learn to live within ratepayers’ means.”

The full list can be found at RichList.nz.

The regional media release can be found at:

Bay Of Plenty

Canterbury

Hawkes Bay

Manawatū-Whanganui

Northland

Otago

Southland

Taranaki

Top of the South

Waikato

West Coast

Responding to Chris Hipkins’ refusal to rule out capital gains taxes on farms, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:

“Capital gains taxes on family farms, family homes, and family nest-eggs. For all their talk of Kiwi families doing it tough, Hipkins seems very keen to give them another unfair beating.”

“Hipkins won’t front up on his tax policy, just like he won’t front up to the COVID inquiry. Would a bit of honesty with the tax-paying public be too much to ask for?”

“If Hipkins keeps dipping and dodging questions, we can only assume its because he knows Kiwis won’t like the answers.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming the decision of the four Covid Cowards – Jacinda Ardern, Chris Hipkins, Grant Robertson and Ayesha Varrell – to refuse to publicly answer questions at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Covid-19 response. 

“Five years ago, the Government spent $66 billion on the most draconian peacetime decisions in New Zealand’s history. Every New Zealander was locked in their homes. Families were split apart. People missed seeing their dying loved ones. One million New Zealanders locked out of the country. Businesses were destroyed,” said Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams.

“Throughout the Western world, key decision makers have fronted publicly at Covid inquiries, taking tough questions in the open and justifying their actions. That’s how democracies hold leaders to account and ensure the public have confidence that even our leaders cannot act arbitrarily. Instead, Ardern, Hipkins, Robertson and Varrell think a behind-closed-doors interview and a letter is enough. It’s not.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on the Royal Commission to use its powers to compel the four to appear, as any Court would with witnesses.

“In any other context with a witness refusing to give evidence, it is as though they have something to hide. The refusal to face public questioning insults every New Zealander who made sacrifices during lockdowns.”

The Union also took aim at Hipkins claiming appearing before the Royal Commission would ‘set a precedent.’

“Public accountability, in the same way we have open justice, is precisely what we need. For the significant portion of the public who have lost trust in institutions and risk seeing, in their minds, the inquiry as a ‘closed-door stitch up’ by the elite, the lack of public hearings will only play into the conspiracy.”

“Has he not realised telling the team of five million ‘up yours’ like this is exactly why?”

“Front up. Answer the questions. What are you hiding?”

Commenting on news the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) plans to trim 142 roles, including 35 vacant positions, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:

“The Reserve Bank is more than two and a half times the size it was before Adrian Orr. These plans would only take RBNZ back to where it was in June 2023 - more a scratch than a slash.”

“The Bank is locking in the excesses of the last seven years and calling it restraint. We’d need triple the number of layoffs to get RBNZ back to its 2018 size.”

“Taxpayers deserve a central bank focused on price stability, not empire building. Too many cooks have spoiled the broth, and the new Governor needs to take an axe to Orr’s bloated legacy.”

More bad news for the Coalition as a majority of voters say the Government is performing poorly on economic management across all five key issues measured as part of this month’s Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll.

Voters were asked to say whether they thought the Government was doing a “good job" or “bad job" in each area. In no area did the Government receive a net positive result.

Total net result for each category:

• Growing the Economy: -3 percent
• Reducing Costs for Households: -39 percent
• Managing the National Accounts to Get them Back to Surplus: -1 percent
• Creating Jobs: - 33 percent
• Reducing Wasteful Spending: -4 percent

Commenting on this, Taxpayers' Union Spokesman James Ross said:

“Poll after poll show the cost of living and the economy are top of voters’ minds. These results suggest they are losing faith in the Government’s economic management. With the Coalition’s numbers on a knife-edge, the link is clear.”

“Willis winging it isn’t working. There’s more bureaucrats now than when Labour left office, Willis is spending more than Labour, and she's borrowing at a faster rate. That’s caused inflation to track back up, and the ‘going for growth’ results are paltry.”
 
"Nicola Willis talks about responsible fiscal management, but what has she actually done differently from Grant Robertson?"

"The message from the polls is loud and clear: the Government is failing to be bold on the economy or cutting excessive spending. And that failure is costing them."

The Taxpayers’ Union is joining the Auckland Chamber of Commerce in calling for Finance Minister Nicola Willis to deliver tax relief stimulus through an emergency 'mid-year' budget to jolt the economy back to life.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:

"Going slow on the 'go for growth' isn't working."

“The economy is stalling. Growth has not been delivered and New Zealanders can’t afford to wait. The economic numbers demonstrate that the country needs urgent action to get the economy back on track. Waiting for yet more OCR cuts won't cut it.”

“Bold action is warranted."

"The Chamber appears to prefer a reduced corporate tax rate, while the Taxpayers' Union prefer full capital expensing. Either way, these are proven pro-growth policies. Done alongside proper savings in government spending, we can stimulate the economy without making the debt problem worse."

"Every day we are seeing numbers in the media demonstrating that only bold action will deliver growth.”

“Businesses need the confidence to invest and hire now, not years down the track - when it's quite possible another Finance Minister will be in charge.”

“The Minister has a choice: move now to get New Zealand moving before next year's election, or preside over more drift, missed opportunities, and more pain for voters.”

Facing a sluggish economy, the Government Coalition sees another bad poll result, as they fall to neck-and-neck with the Centre-Left bloc in this month's Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll.

The poll, conducted between 03 and 05 August, shows Labour overtake National as the largest party, gaining 2.0 points to 33.6 percent. National drops 2.1 points to 31.8 percent.

The Greens gain 0.4 points to 9.8 percent, while ACT drops 0.5 points to 8.6 percent. New Zealand First drops 2.0 points to 7.8 percent, while Te Pāti Māori drops 0.3 points to 3.2 percent.

Headline results and more information about the methodology can be found on the Taxpayers' Union's website at www.taxpayers.org.nz/augpoll2025_250808

For the minor parties, TOP is on 2.6 percent (+1.4 points), Outdoors and Freedom is on 1.1 percent (+1.0 points) and Vision NZ is on 0.4 percent (+0.4 points).

This month's results are compared to the last Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll conducted in June 2025, available at www.taxpayers.org.nz/pollnztu_20250710

The combined projected seats for the Centre-Right of 61 is down 4 seats from last month. The combined seats for the Centre-Left is up 4 seats to 61. On these numbers, neither the Centre-Left nor the Centre-Right bloc would have enough seats to form a Government, and there would be a hung Parliament.

Labour gains 4 seats to 43, while National drops 2 to 40. The Greens remain on 12, and ACT remain on 11. New Zealand First is down 2 to 10, while Te Pāti Māori remain unchanged on 6.

Cost of Living is voters' top issue at 24.4 percent (+2.8 points), closely followed by the Economy more generally at 20.7 percent (+1.6 points). Combined, these two issues are the most important for 45.1 percent of voters. Health is the next largest issue on 10.0 percent, followed by Employment on 6.0 percent.

Commenting on the results, Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman James Ross said:

"Why have the Government taken a beating in the polls? It's the economy, stupid. This month's results show it's not just Treasury giving the Government a dressing-down over their fiscal inaction."

"As part of this month's poll, the Taxpayers' Union also commissioned Curia to ask voters about the performance of the Government across a list of economic management issues. The results will be released later this week, and appear to indicate why the Government is losing so much support to the opposition parties."

"Cost of living and lack of growth are biting families in the back-pocket. Until the Government starts making the tough calls, they'll be clinging on to power by their fingertips."

Nearly 3000 New Zealanders have emailed Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson urging them to drop the retrospective clauses in the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Amendment Bill.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:

“The public backlash to this grubby deal has been overwhelming. Over the weekend, thousands of Kiwis have told the Ministers they will not stand by while the Government rewrites the law to let ANZ and ASB off the hook.”

“Retrospective lawmaking is an affront to the rule of law. Courts exist to decide disputes, not to have cases pulled out from under them to protect powerful interests.”

“We know that the CCCFA must be fixed. But if the Government truly believes in fairness and the rule of law, it will strip out the retrospective provisions and let justice take its course.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming Health NZ for raking in $22.6 million from hospital parking last year, calling it daylight robbery.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:

“This isn’t cost recovery, it’s taxing people for the crime of being unwell.”

“Hospitals should be places of care, not cash cows. Instead of helping patients, Health NZ is fleecing them.”

“If you or a loved one are sick enough to be at hospital, the last thing you should be worrying about is how much the parking meter’s eating out of your wallet.”

"The Union is calling on the Government to scrap hospital parking charges and end this tax on the sick."

The Taxpayers’ Union is pushing back on comments from Labour leader Chris Hipkins, who has hinted that a capital gains tax might be back on the table despite the economy struggling under the weight of existing taxes.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:

“Labour is recycling a failed idea that New Zealanders have already rejected. A capital gains tax punishes investment, hits small business owners, and makes it even harder for hardworking Kiwis to get ahead.”

“Capital gains taxes are inherently taxes on savings, investments and the very things New Zealand needs to be able to grow the economy. They are inherently an unfair tax - taxing savings and retirement nest eggs over and over again for politicians like Chris Hipkins to flutter."

“If Chris Hipkins is serious about turning the economy around, he should rule out any new taxes. That’s the bare minimum Kiwis should expect right now.”

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has today banned minor Wellington mayoral candidate Rob Goulden from all future events hosted by the Union and its affiliated student group, Generation Screwed, following his behaviour at tonight’s sold out Victoria University mayoral debate.

Executive Director Jordan Williams said:

“It’s been reported to me that Mr Goulden was aggressive and rude to our university student coordinators, and treated Taxpayers’ Union staff and volunteers disgustingly. That is totally unacceptable. Thankfully our student volunteers were there to show him the maturity he was lacking."

“We won’t tolerate that kind of behaviour, especially toward young people who care enough to engage in politics. If he tries to attend any of our future events, I have instructed our staff to call the Police” said Williams.

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling out the Green Party’s hypocrisy, after it demanded on-board fishing camera footage from private operators continue to be made public under the Official Information Act while not backing reforms to extend transparency to their own MPs’ expenses.

Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman Rhys Hurley said:

“The Greens want footage from private property made public, but won’t even support opening their own books. You can’t demand transparency from others while shielding yourself from public scrutiny.”

“The Green Party of the past demanded greater transparency and accountability. Rather than using the OIA to bash those whose lifestyles they don’t agree with, let’s get back to a party which supports the public’s right to know where their money is going.”

“If any Green MPs believe transparency is still a virtue, they should lead by example and support extending the Official Information Act to Parliament. Open the Books for all, not just political targets.”

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through an Official Information Act request that Creative New Zealand spent more than $21,958 sponsoring and attending Local Government New Zealand’s SuperLocal 2025 conference.

As a “Silver Sponsor” of the event, CNZ spent $15,000 (excl GST) to a panel titled The Role of Local Government in Building Communities, which focused on arts and cultural investment. Creative NZ also sent four staff and two Arts Council members, with travel, tickets, meals, and sector networking costs adding another $6,958.22.

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:

“Creative NZ is the latest agency to chuck money at the never-ending bureaucratic conference circuit. New Zealanders are choosing between food on the table or paying the rent, yet their dollars were spent to wine and dine at LGNZ’s event.”

"Creative NZ’s pointless spend-up just won’t end, and this is just one example. Between chucking taxpayers’ cash into the lobbying merry-go-round and channelling money overseas, where’s the oversight?”

“Creative NZ clearly has more money than sense, and its time to cut the funding. Kiwis don’t need Wellington telling them what to watch, and they certainly don’t need Creative NZ telling councillors how to tell them what to watch.”

Only thanks to an anonymous tipper, the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through an Official Information Act request that Oranga Tamariki failed to disclose six additional comms staff at a cost of nearly $765,000.

We had previously revealed through the original OIA response, Oranga Tamariki’s supposed 14-man comms team at a cost of $1.97m. These newly found additional roles bring the total yearly salary bill to $2.74 million.

The six additional staff include:
-Manager, Content and Channels
-Advisor, Design
-Senior Advisor, Design
-Senior Web Advisor
-Senior Events and Engagement Advisor
-Social Media & Web Advisor
-Senior Video Content Producer

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:

“Oranga Tamariki’s spin doctors might’ve fallen for their own spin, but this is more than just bad accounting. Oranga Tamariki told us their comms staff cost $1.97 million, but failed to mention a secret second team costing another three-quarters of a million.”

“These staff all report to the same Director of Communications and Media, with their roles covering social media, video production and event promotion. That’s comms work no matter what way you look at it."

”Apparently the Public Service Act doesn’t count these roles as comms-related because they’re “technical enablers”, so Oranga Tamariki didn’t tell us. If that’s the case, and official figures don’t count whole teams, does anyone actually know how many government spin doctors there are?”

“If you’re creating content, managing comms channels, or handling social media you’re working in PR. And if you’re doing it with taxpayers’ money the public has a right to know.”

“If even the OIA can’t get the full truth out of the Wellington Blob, who’s really running the show?” 

The Taxpayers’ Union is criticising the National Party’s newly-announced ‘foreign visitor charge’ for popular Department of Conservation sites, calling it a distraction from the real economic challenges facing the country.

Taxpayers’ Union Spokesperson Tory Relf said:

“We were expecting a real economic announcement at the conference, a plan to get the country moving. Instead, the Prime Minister’s big idea is to charge backpackers more to visit Mt Cook.”

“It’s just another example of National shifting deckchairs: symbolic, superficial, and totally disconnected from the scale of the economic challenges we’re facing."

“If Labour had proposed this, National would be tearing it to shreds. Instead, they’ve slapped a fresh label on an old idea which won’t fix DOC’s ballooning overheads or inefficient spending .”

“We already have an International Visitor Levy to fund tourism and conservation. Doubling up makes New Zealand look tourist-hostile and it opens the door to charging Kiwis next.”

“The Government should be cutting DOC waste, not taxing trampers at the trailhead.”

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling out the failed $18 million aquifer project in Kaitaia as just the latest example of big budgets, poor planning, and even worse delivery. A pattern confirmed by the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, which has found the country is spending more than comparable nations while achieving less.

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:

“Whether it’s a billion-dollar tunnel or a rural water pipe, the story is always the same: we’re spending too much, and getting far too little.”

“In Kaitaia, locals were promised water resilience. What they got was a failed bore, blown budgets, and a council that never even checked if the plan would work before breaking ground.”

"The Infrastructure Commission’s findings back what taxpayers already know: it’s never been a funding problem, it’s a delivery problem."

“There’s no shortage of money. The shortage is in competence and accountability. Until councils and departments are forced to plan properly and deliver efficiently, we’re going to keep getting stitched up.”

"We need clear infrastructure records of what we own and its condition, enforced cost transparency, and consequences for councils and departments that fail to deliver value."

The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union has today welcomed Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe's call for rates capping to be introduced in the future.

Taxpayers' Union Local Government Campaigns Manager, Sam Warren, said:

“We’re pleased to see more Mayors coming on board with rates capping, especially as the Cap Rates Now the petition has reached more than 30,000 signatures, calling for an end to excessive rates increases.”

“Achieving the lowest average rates increase, even below inflation, was the result of hard work and careful spending decisions. Mayor Tripe’s efforts set an example for every other mayor in the country.”

“Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger also voiced his support for a cap on rates rises, who last month joined the Taxpayers’ Union and its supporters outside the LGNZ conference, where its membered councils discussed how they could fight such laws.”

“Well done, Mayor Tripe. Ratepayers across have had a gutsful of soaring rates from their councils, and are looking for leadership on the issue. As the Government presses closer with rates capping laws, we expect to see more mayors get onside with protecting ratepayers.”

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has today launched a major campaign targeting Scott Simpson's Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Amendment Bill, which includes retrospective provisions that would extinguish a live class action brought by tens of thousands of bank customers against ANZ and ASB banks.

The campaign has been launched with National Party’s annual conference attendees being delivered love letters from the Big Banks to recognise their special relationship and bank bailout.

In the coming days, a digital advertising, billboard, and grassroots mobilisation campaign demanding that Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Minister of Consumer Affairs Scott Simpson drop the retrospective clauses from the Bill will be launched.

Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams said:

“This is a disgraceful case of retrospective lawmaking that undermines the rule of law and destroys trust in New Zealand as a stable place to do business."

"Last month the NZ Herald reported that the Bill is a result of backroom discussions between the Government and the Aussie-owned big banks which excluded the consumer-side parties of the very class action litigation the Bill is intended to extinguish."

"Across the Tasman, the Aussie banks were hauled over the coals for misconduct and dishonest practises. But in Wellington, they are doing deals with the Beehive to be bailed out and 'protected' from consumer class actions. It's perverting the course of justice for tens of thousands."

"Not only does the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Amendment Bill run roughshod over the rule of law, it is specifically designed to bail out the powerful at the expense of ordinary Kiwis.”

“Tens of thousands of Kiwis are part of a live class action over alleged unfair fees. Instead of letting the courts do their job, Nicola Willis and Scott Simpson are stepping in to shut it down with the stroke of a pen. That’s not justice — that’s Parliament playing defence for its mates.”

The Union says the Bill makes a mockery of the Government’s own rhetoric about restoring New Zealand’s reputation as a safe, rules-based place to invest and do business.

“The same Ministers pushing the so-called Regulatory Standards Bill – which rightly warns against retrospective legislation – are now ramming through a bill that does exactly that. That's usually called hypocrisy.”

“When governments change the rules mid-litigation to protect the well connected, it sends a chilling message to investors, consumers, and taxpayers alike: the law in New Zealand is only as stable as the political connections of the people you're up against.”

Williams concluded:

“This campaign isn’t just focused at the Government. It’s to hold to account and expose the disgraceful behaviour of ANZ and ASB banks to undermine their own customers’ rights. This is about not just honesty and integrity and customer disclosures, but New Zealanders having the ability to enforce consumer protection law against the big end of town.”

“Either the Government walks the talk on stable, principled lawmaking, or they admit they’re no better than the last lot. Kiwis deserve better than this grubby stitch-up.”

The social media, digital and advertising campaign launches next week along with some more creative plans to ensure this bill gets the public scrutiny it deserves.

“Watch this space.”

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal in response to an Official Information Act request that KiwiRail and the Minister of Rail have refused to so much as share the name of a Kiwirail briefing about underperforming rail lines.

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:

“Transparency is dying, with more and more obstruction and avoidance of true public scrutiny. If the public can’t even know what a document is called, we have a broken freedom of information regime.”

“When the public funds the rail network, they deserve to know what they’re getting for their money. Some redactions might rarely be needed, sure, but that doesn’t justify agencies cold-shouldering taxpayers just to make their own lives easier.”

"The refusal is part of a broader pattern of government agencies increasingly hiding behind vague legal exemptions, while offering no meaningful public interest justification."

“This proves what we’ve been saying for years: the Official Information Act has become a shield, not a window. We need reform and the Ombudsman to put agencies' feet to the fire, to ensure that public scrutiny isn’t treated as optional.” 

The Taxpayers’ Union is urging Taupō District Council to reject a proposed cogovernance agreement with Ngāti Tūwharetoa over Lake Taupō and the Upper Waikato River, warning it hands control of major public resources to unelected decision-makers

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:

“This is more than a consultation framework, it gives real authority over water management to a small group without public oversight. That’s a dangerous precedent.”

“Ratepayers are being signed up to a long-term deal with unknown costs, unclear governance structures, and no opportunity to vote on it.”“Iwi involvement should not come at the expense of democracy. Decisions about public water must remain accountable to the public, not locked away behind closed doors.”

“Taupō‘s councillors need to slow this process down, demand transparency, and consult the public before locking in a deal that changes who’s really in charge of our waterways.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is calling for full disclosure of the agreement’s terms, independent legal advice, and public consultation before any vote is taken.

The Taxpayers’ Union has today welcomed Minister Simon Watt’s release of local government performance metrics, enabling greater transparency for council performance.

Taxpayers' Union Local Government Campaigns Manager, Sam Warren, said:

“The release of these metrics has been widely anticipated. More transparency is essential in reining in council decision making.”

“The difficulty for ratepayers to get the full picture on how councils behave has always been a challenge, and many councils have enjoyed hiding behind layers of bureaucracy to prevent better scrutiny from ratepayers.”

“Without better scrutiny, councils have run roughshod particularly in recent years, spending money wastefully, and hiking rates excessively. For too long they’ve pushed their luck, which is why we’re seeing these performance metrics, as well as policies like rates capping on the agenda.”

“While there work to be done and no shortage of areas to reform, today’s release is a step forward in holding councils to account.”

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling out the Department of Conservation for introducing paid parking at Punakaiki’s iconic Pancake Rocks, saying the trial is not 'user pays', but gouging domestic travellers to visit our national parks.

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:

“We already have a tourism levy that’s supposed to fund these exact places, plus additional taxpayer funding on top. So why are Kiwis now being hit with another charge just to park their car?”

“This isn’t about conservation, it’s about treating New Zealanders like walking wallets in their own country. DOC is double-dipping and locals are getting stung.”

"If DOC needs more money, it should look at how it spends its existing revenue. Their headcount exploded by 37 percent between 2017 and 2023, so is punishing families for stopping to admire a view the best option?”

"Scrap the parking charges, cut the backroom bureaucracy and stop punishing people for visiting when they’ve already paid for it."

Former Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier told to the governance select committee that creating a new department for local government would solve many issues facing councils.

“Boshier is right in his assessment, that local government is not working well enough, but creating more bureaucracy is certainly not the solution.” said Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union.

“The role of the Ombudsman is to make sure things run smoothly by empowering elected officials in charge, which most will agree has not been done effectively in recent years.”

“As the sector anticipates reforms through the Minister’s ‘Systems Improvements Bill’, there’s real concern that it does not go far enough to see meaningful outcomes.”

“As the Bill takes shape, now is the time to get stuck in and make sure it’s everything it needs to be. Until then, calls from the former Chief Ombudsman to solve a problem with another problem should be seen for what they are; unhelpful.”

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors: Hon. Stuart Nash and Dr John Harman. Their combined expertise strengthens the organisation’s leadership as it continues to champion lower taxes, less waste, and more accountability.

Stuart Nash, a former Cabinet Minister of Revenue and Member of Parliament, brings deep experience in public policy and governance. His insights from inside government will add valuable perspective to the Taxpayers’ Union’s advocacy for efficient public spending.

Dr John Harman, a seasoned business leader and healthcare expert, joins the board with decades of experience in management, innovation, and public health. He brings a strong commitment to transparency and performance-driven systems to further the Taxpayers’ Union’s mission.

Ruth Richardson, Chair of the Taxpayers’ Union, said:

"We are thrilled to welcome Stuart and John to the board, giving us a broader mix of representation as well as fresh activism. Their combined expertise in business and government will be instrumental in advancing our mission to give taxpayers a voice and hold decision-makers accountable."

Jordan Williams, Executive Director of the Taxpayers’ Union, added:

“We’re delighted to have Stuart and John on our board. They each bring significant experience and fresh insight to our board, strengthening our fight for accountable government and better value for every taxpayer dollar.”

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal reveal through an Official Information request that the Department of Internal Affairs' Keep It Real Online campaign has cost taxpayers more than $4.3 million (excl. GST) since 2020. Despite the spending, there's little evidence of any measurable real-world impact.

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:

“This is a classic bureaucrat fire-and-forget; spend millions on a slick campaign, then walk away without measuring whether it actually achieved anything.”

“People might remember the ads, but what they don’t know is what the Government spent making them and that they didn’t bother measuring the long-term impact.”

“We’re told the ads reached ‘two-thirds of parents’, but so could Lotto ads. Reach means nothing without results.”

“Government campaigns need clearly defined, auditable targets and measurable outcomes before launch not vague vibes and video views. If ACC can spend millions on a ‘Have a Hmmm’ campaign without showing it changed anything, it’s clear the whole public campaigns system needs a reset."

"When departments can’t show results, Ministers need to pull their funding and heads need to roll.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is accusing the Government of putting politics ahead of principle after they once again side with big banks, leaving ordinary New Zealanders and small businesses out in the cold.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:

“This Government is dodging the hard decisions and instead opting for cosmetic fixes that fail to address the real issues facing New Zealand. Whether it’s butter, bank fees or broken lending laws, Nicola Willis seems more interested in media-friendly headlines than making the tough, lasting changes Kiwis actually need.”

“Take the surcharges ban. It sounds good on paper, but it’s just another patch-up job. It doesn’t lower costs; it just pushes them on to small businesses and takes away their agency.”

“Or look at the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act changes. Instead of holding ANZ and ASB accountable for breaking the law, Willis changed the law retrospectively. While changes to the CCCFA were overdue, letting big banks off scot-free after breaking the law is not leadership, it’s cover for corporate wrongdoing.”

“Willis talks about economic responsibility, but where’s the action that actually shifts the dial? New Zealanders need a government focused on real, long-term change, not one fiddling at the edges while the big players get a free pass.”

“Who is standing up for the family-run dairy, the sole trader, or the mum at the checkout? Right now, it certainly isn’t Nicola Willis.”

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal can reveal through an Official Information request that Stats NZ has spent $338,200 (exc. GST) over the past three years on branded giveaways and incentives such as gift cards, rewarding people for not responding to government surveys the first time.

The items handed out by field staff during household visits include:

• 7,149 $20 gift cards for $143,000
• 5,179 coffee mug packs for $52,261.
• Notepads, pens, and fridge magnets for $93,533.

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:

“Statistics NZ have built a rewards scheme for being difficult. Say no to a survey the first time and you get a mug, magnet, or even gift cards.”

“This isn’t Stats NZ’s first time doling out more presents than Santa, with Warriors tickets, fuel vouchers, and food cards in the line-up for the 2023 census."

"This rort for people too lazy to fill out a form or answer the phone is an insult to those New Zealanders doing the right thing.”

“Their job is to collect data, not hand out freebies to people who won’t play ball. Refusing to co-operate with basic legal duties should come with a beefed-up fine, not a swag bag of treats and goodies.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming Finance Minister Nicola Willis for failing to deliver a leaner, more efficient public service, with new figures revealing that the public service is now larger than it was at the 2023 election, despite months of so-called ‘cuts’.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:

“With a structural deficit still baked into the Government’s books, taxpayers can’t afford a bloated bureaucracy and empty promises.”

“After months of announcements and rhetoric, the public deserves more than just headlines. There are more public servants now than at the 2023 election. Where are the actual reductions? Where are the savings? This isn’t fiscal discipline, it’s business as usual dressed up as reform.”

“If the Government is serious about delivering value for money, it needs to stop spinning and start shrinking the bureaucracy.”

“Nicola Willis was tasked by Christopher Luxon with ‘going for growth’ - but the only thing she’s growing is the very thing she promised to get on top of: the bureaucracy.”

The decision to withhold the list of invitees at a $40,000 private cocktail party, organised by Tauranga City Council to farewell its appointed commissioners, has been found unreasonable by the Chief Ombudsman.

Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union, Sam Warren, said:

“At the end of the day, it’s about transparency, and there was none. Its a disgrace.”

“Strategically leaning on vague excuses to withhold information continues to be a big problem with councils, and much more needs to be done to improve access to information in thais space.”

“Ironically, the whole event was a $40,000 knees-up to celebrate former Tauranga commissioner Anne Tolley, who is now the chair of Transparency International – which receives funding from taxpayers. If we’re talking about transparency, how about we look at the financial aid the government throws at these so-called independent institutions?”

"It's a terrible look for Tauranga and its former commissioners. Those days were nothing to celebrate – and trying to keep the list from locals is incredibly crooked."

“Transparency shouldn’t have to be wrestled out of the Council – and now that the commissioners are long-gone, the public deserves much more accountability from the Chief Executive.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming the Department of Conservation’s latest staffing changes as another weak attempt to dodge real savings, saying the bureaucracy remains overstaffed and under-accountable.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf, said:

“After months of dragging their feet DOC has finally confirmed some actual job losses, but let’s not kid ourselves.”

“We said it in May and we’ll say it again: this is optics over substance. DOC’s headcount exploded by 37 percent between 2017 and 2023, so they’re barely scratching the surface with these latest changes.”

“This isn’t bold reform, it’s damage control. Taxpayers were promised savings, not press releases and token trims. Every dollar spent propping up bloated departments is a dollar not spent on frontline conservation work or returning money to the pockets of hardworking New Zealanders.”

“The Government can’t fix the books with PR spin and half-measures. It needs to show some backbone and start cutting where it counts, and that means tackling the bloated back-office beasts like DOC head-on.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is calling for the resignation of Reserve Bank Chair Neil Quigley, saying his position is now untenable following revelations in the last 24 hours that he misled the public over Adrian Orr’s departure as Governor.

Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams said:

"This has gone beyond questions about the credibility of the Reserve Bank. It’s now a matter of honesty. Neil Quigley told New Zealanders that Adrian Orr’s departure was purely a personal decision. It now looks clear that was false - it was a negotiated exit in the context of appear to be serious allegations. Dr Quigley knew full well there was a catalogue of behavioural concerns, including some raised by the Minister of Finance, and yet he chose to hide that truth in false statements to the media."

”Documents now show that Quigley was involved in drafting a formal ‘Statement of Concerns’ about the Governor's conduct in late February. Despite this, he continued to brief the media and public in a manner that appear designed to mislead, saying it was “just a personal decision” by Mr Orr to resign.

“Employment law may justify some discretion in what can be disclosed publicly, but it can never justify dishonesty. Dr Quigley appears to have knowingly misled both the media and Parliament. That’s indefensible,” said Williams.

“And the Bank’s hiding behind ‘privacy’ in the context of this matter relating to one of the most important public offices in New Zealand is totally self-serving. Public interest clearly trumps the private interest concerns. And Quigley’s public comments that suggest OIA responses are being prepared by the bank on the basis of what the Dr Quigley “feel[s] the public needed to know” demonstrates a contempt for freedom of information law.

The Taxpayers’ Union says that this mess is also a test for the Public Services Commissioner.

"This goes to the heart of integrity in the public sector and holding public office holders and chairs of public boards to a standard of basic honesty and transparency. If those responsibilities are to mean anything, then it must apply here. Labour should be holding the Minister out to dry.”

“Mr Quigley has failed the most basic test of public leadership: telling the truth. His continued presence at the helm of the Reserve Bank Board undermines public trust. He must resign – or be removed by the Minister.”

For the first time since June 2024, Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger takes the top spot as the country's most popular metropolitan mayor, after a 19-point surge this quarter.

Commenting on this, Taxpayers' Union spokesman James Ross said:

"Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger backed rates capping, and in that same period surged 19 points to become the most popular big-city mayor. If that's not an endorsement of rates capping, I don't know what is."

"Local body elections are less than three months away. Any candidates looking to boost their appeal might do well to follow Mayor Mauger's example by putting ratepayers' needs front-and-centre."

"Mayor Brown remains steadily well-liked, no doubt thanks to the fourth-lowest rates hikes in the country over the last three years. And even Tory Whanau has seen a boost since announcing she'd step aside - all in all, everyone's a winner this poll."

           

The latest Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll ranks New Zealand's three metro mayors by their net approval, and tracks their approval over time.

The results are based on a series of monthly polls across New Zealand. Because the sample sizes for Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington are larger, trends are able to be deduced over time.

The full results can be found at www.taxpayers.org.nz/mayors_0725

The Taxpayers’ Union is endorsing the Wellington Green Party local candidates’ and independent Wellington Mayoral candidate Alex Baker’s policy to shift local government rates to be solely based on land and not tax capital improvement as part of rates.

Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams said:

“The Greens are right on this one. Taxing land, rather than housing and development on land, creates the right incentive of avoiding land banking or not putting land to its most productive use, such as housing."

“The current rates regime employed by most councils sees rates as a tax on housing and the very developments that make cities great places to live.”

“The government is currently proposing a series of improvements to local government – including adopting the Taxpayers’ Union’s call for capping rates. Local Government Minister Simon Watts should reach over the aisle and grab this phenomenal policy to realign rates as a tax on land for services provided to a property, rather than operating as a tax on improvement.”

“It is sad to see Ray Chung further disgrace himself by coming out against this policy. We’d urge him to reconsider and put policy ahead of partisanship.”