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  1. Update on Hastings ratepayer meeting: Business Association fears ‘too much public interest’

    The Taxpayers’ Union has been contacted by Lucinda Perry, Hastings and Havelock North City Business Association's general manager, concerned about 'too much public interest' in tonight’s emergency business rates meeting, with the Association concerned that the room may fill well before the event start at 5:30pm.The Taxpayers' Union is...

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  2. Councillors Duped Into Thinking $7.7 Million Website Was an App

    Councillors Duped Into Thinking $7.7 Million Website Was an App The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming Christchurch City Council after The Press revealed the Council’s MyChristchurch “digital platform” has cost ratepayers $7.7 million, despite councillors initially being led to believe they were funding an app.Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Josh Van Veen said:“Christchurch ratepayers have...

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  3. Rates showdown tonight: Hastings businesses face rates increases of up to 85 percent

    Rates showdown tonight: Hastings businesses face rates increases of up to 85 percentThe Taxpayers' Union says small businesses and jobs are at immediate risk in Hastings following the District Council's new revelations that commercial rates are going up next month by an average of 27 percent in the...

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  4. REVEALED: Corrections Spends $32 Million Chasing Carbon Neutral Targets

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that Corrections has spent $32,478,300 (GST inclusive) since 2021/22 pursuing Carbon Neutral Government targets.The Official Information Act request also shows: Corrections has bought 327 electric vehicles supported by 352 chargers since the targets were implemented.Corrections spent a further $369,150 (GST inclusive) on...

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  5. Policy Victory! Council voting to be restricted to elected councillors

    We did it! After years of campaigning, exposing, and protesting, Simon Watts has finally acted.Today, the Government announced that only elected councillors will be able to vote on council committees. That means the days of Mayors appointing teenagers (yes, seriously) or race-based "representatives" onto council committees to screw the scrum...

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  6. Taxpayers’ Union claims ratepayer win as unelected appointees lose council voting rights

    The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming an amendment to the Local Government (Systems Improvements) Bill restricting voting rights to elected members only, calling it a major win for ratepayers and local democracy.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“This is a victory for ratepayers after years of campaigning by the Taxpayers’...

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  8. Taxpayers’ Union pays tribute to economist Professor Lew Evans

    The Taxpayers’ Union is sad to note the passing of distinguished economist Professor Lew Evans ONZM.Professor Evans was a long-time friend and supporter of the Taxpayers’ Union and was widely respected across academia, public policy, business, and the legal community for his immense contribution to economic thought and...

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  10. Budget 2026

    We’re just out of the Beehive where the team have been in Budget 2026 ‘lock-up’ poring through Nicola Willis’s election year budget pack.This year’s budget will be a difficult one for the Government (or the Opposition) to frame. It’s a real mixed bag.In every Budget, there are two...

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  12. Watts hands councils $400 million while ratepayers wait

    The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming the Government’s decision to hand councils $400 million in “growth incentives” while walking slow to bring council costs under control by capping rates now.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“Local Government Minister Simon Watts has let ratepayers down. Handing councils $400 million in additional revenue without bringing...

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  13. RIP National’s ‘No new taxes’ promise: New $209 million “banking tax” will hammer savers and mortgage holders

    Commenting on Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ decision to introduce a new tax - sorry, ‘levy’ - on banks and deposit takers in Budget 2026, Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“Minister Willis’ ‘no new taxes’ promise is now dead. As much as the Beehive are trying to frame it as...

    Read more about RIP National’s ‘No new taxes’ promise: New $209 million “banking tax” will hammer savers and mortgage holders

  14. Spend today, save tomorrow: Budget 2026 promises restraint, eventually

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is cautiously welcoming the announcement of Budget 2026, with a surplus now expected this decade – but warning that it’s based on seriously optimistic assumptions.Commenting from within the Budget briefing, Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams said:“This is clearly an election year budget....

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  15. Uncertainty Continues to Dominate Reserve Bank’s OCR Decisions

    Responding to this afternoon’s Official Cash Rate announcement, Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“With ongoing uncertainty around the Iran conflict’s impact on inflation, the Reserve Bank has rightly chosen to sit tight and hold the OCR at 2.25 percent as expected."“But while the Reserve Bank can wait for...

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  17. Government needs to stay away from ‘picking winners’

    Responding to reports that the Government is considering establishing something similar to Australia’s Business Growth Fund, Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“The Government needs to stop speculating with taxpayers’ funds."“This looks eerily similar to Callaghan Innovation, which was disestablished last year because it had become an unfocused and...

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  18. Blame for Auckland Council's record high rates hike rests on North Shore MP Simon Watts

    The Taxpayers’ Union is blaming Local Government Minister Simon Watts for the biggest rates hike in Super City.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:"Simon Watts promised to cap rates, but bizarrely delayed the implementation until the next term of Parliament. That means Auckland Council is able to blow up...

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  19. Taxpayer Talk: Nick Clark and Jordan Williams on why council amalgamation could make town halls even worse

     In this episode of Taxpayer Talk, Peter Williams is joined by Nick Clark from the New Zealand Initiative and Jordan Williams (Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director) to break down the Government’s plan to slash New Zealand’s 78 local authorities down to as few as 15.They explain why bigger councils...

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  21. New Local Government Bill could finally end councils’ “operational matter” cop-out

    The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming Stuart Smith’s Local Government (Management of Local Authorities) Amendment Bill being drawn from the members’ ballot this evening.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“Ratepayers elect councillors to govern, set priorities, and make decisions on their behalf. This Bill is welcome because it puts proper...

    Read more about New Local Government Bill could finally end councils’ “operational matter” cop-out

  22. Taxpayer Update: Nicola swings the axe ✂️ | Winston wants a taxpayer bank 💸 | Hipkins’ car crash interview 🚗

     Hi,What. A. Week.The Good: Nicola Willis borrows a leaf from your humble Taxpayers' Union. ☺️The Bad: Winston Peters wants to buy [checks notes] the bank that nearly saw the Crown go bust in the 1990s. 💸And the Ugly: Hipkins has a car crash interview (not to be missed! 😂) and the wheels...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Nicola swings the axe ✂️ | Winston wants a taxpayer bank 💸 | Hipkins’ car crash interview 🚗

  23. Taxpayer Talk: Ruth Richardson on New Zealand’s fiscal reckoning

      In this episode of Taxpayer Talk, Peter Williams is joined by former Finance Minister and Taxpayers’ Union Chair Ruth Richardson for a no-holds-barred warning about New Zealand’s worsening fiscal mess.From exploding debt and runaway interest costs to bloated bureaucracy, superannuation reform, and a Government that still hasn’t found...

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  24. Helen Clark Foundation report exposes poor Government investment analysis

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling for cost-benefit analysis to be made compulsory for all major government investment decisions following the release of the Helen Clark Foundation’s report Measuring What Matters.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf says:“Cost-benefit analysis should be at the heart of every major spending decision, yet this...

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  25. REVEALED: Huatoki Daylighting Projects' $7 Million Price Tag Sees The Light

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that New Plymouth District Council will spend $4.37 million demolishing Metro Plaza and a further $2.53 million on “daylighting” the Huatoki Stream, as part of the 2021 Ngāmotu New Plymouth City Centre Strategy.Rhys Hurley, Taxpayers Union Investigative Lead said: “RNZ reported...

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  26. Seymour’s Ministry Exposes New Zealand’s Regulatory Spaghetti Service

    The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming the Ministry for Regulation’s new report The State of New Zealand’s Regulatory Systems, saying it confirms what taxpayers and businesses have long suspected: New Zealand’s public service has become an tangle of regulators, legislation, and bureaucracy.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson, Tory Relf, said:“The challenge now is...

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  27. Taxpayers’ Union welcomes infrastructure heavyweight to lead FENZ Board

    The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming the appointment of Mr Raveen Jaduram as Chair of Fire and Emergency New Zealand, saying his infrastructure experience is exactly what FENZ needs to get its capital planning and spending under control.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson, Tory Relf, said:“Raveen Jaduram has spent more than three...

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  29. Willis’ bureaucrat slash is a win for taxpayers, Budget must now go further

    The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ target to reduce the public service to 55,000, saying it is a win for taxpayers – but that next week’s Budget must keep the same pressure.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“Cutting the public service headcount is a big win...

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  30. EXCLUSIVE: Disgraced councillor now trying to stand as NZ First candidate

    The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that disgraced Waikato Regional Councillor Robert Cookson – one of the so-called ‘Rates Control Team’ who u-turned on his pre-election pledge just six months into the job – has put himself forward for selection to stand as a New Zealand First candidate.Jordan Williams,...

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  31. NEW POLL: NZ First voters overwhelmingly back National-led Government

    New Taxpayers’ Union-Curia polling shows NZ First voters overwhelmingly prefer a National-led Government over a Labour-led alternative, with only one in ten wanting Winston Peters to go left after the election.As part of this month's Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll of 1,000 New Zealanders, respondents were asked whether they would...

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  33. REVEALED: Taxpayers Milked For $1.07m Cowshed Loan Creating Just 1.8 Jobs

    The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that a taxpayer-funded $1.07 million cowshed upgrade in Taranaki is expected to sustain just 1.8 ongoing jobs.Documents released under the Official Information Act request show the project received $900,000 in loan funding through the Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund, despite only $120,000 in co-funding from...

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  34. Luxon’s “Responsible” Budget Starts With an $3,780-per-household Splurge

    Responding to the Prime Minister’s pre-Budget speech, Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“Christopher Luxon is talking about fiscal responsibility while announcing nearly $3,780 per household in additional government spending.”“A $2.1 billion operating package is not restraint - it is still $2.1 billion more spending. And increasing the capital...

    Read more about Luxon’s “Responsible” Budget Starts With an $3,780-per-household Splurge

  36. Taxpayer Update: Luxon grows a backbone 💪 | NEW Poll 🚨 | Palmy Mayor forced to close booze lounge 🥂

    Hi,Look, I'll be first to admit the Taxpayers' Union can be a little critical of the current Government, but in today's Taxpayer Update, it's nothing but kudos for Nicola Willis, Winston Peters, and Christopher Bishop. 🥰This month's Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll is out, an update on the ratbagu-turning regional...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Luxon grows a backbone 💪 | NEW Poll 🚨 | Palmy Mayor forced to close booze lounge 🥂

  39. Waitaki rates stitch-up shows Watts must bring cap forward

    Responding to reports that Waitaki District Council considered but rejected consulting ratepayers on a 9 percent rates increase option, instead only presenting options of 19-45 percent, Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“Waitaki ratepayers have already been smashed with a 34.8 percent rates hike over the last three years,...

    Read more about Waitaki rates stitch-up shows Watts must bring cap forward

  41. $14.4m consultant bill leaves taxpayers taken for a ride on the SS Shambles

    Reacting to report in The Post revealing KiwiRail’s ferry project’s $14.4 million consultant spend, including $1 million on recruitment services alone, Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tyler Groenewald said:“$14.4 million on consultants and not a single ferry to show for it is the definition of a project that’s run aground before a...

    Read more about $14.4m consultant bill leaves taxpayers taken for a ride on the SS Shambles

  42. Taxpayers’ Union Welcomes Move To Scrap Broadcasting Standards Authority

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming the Government’s decision to disestablish the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) as the first step toward reducing unnecessary bureaucracy.Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:“This is exactly the sort of quango reduction taxpayers voted for. One less bureaucracy, one less board, and...

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  44. Taxpayers' Union Launches 2026 Ratepayers' Report for Wellington Councils

    Four Wellington councils rank in the highest ten residential rates; Porirua and Wellington City claim top two spots. Councils in the Wellington region are leaving ratepayers with some of the most unaffordable rates in the country, as revealed by the Taxpayers’ Union’s 2026 Ratepayers’ Report. The local government league tables reveal...

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  45. Taxpayers' Union Launches 2026 Ratepayers' Report for West Coast Councils

    West Coast weather cost storm; Buller bureaucracy and Westland outsourcing raise concerns. Councils on the West Coast are facing mounting cost pressures that are being passed directly onto households, according to the Taxpayers’ Union’s league table 2026 Ratepayers’ Report. Across the region, West Coast ratepayers are weathering the perfect storm of bureaucratic and debt-servicing costs. Taxpayers'...

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  46. Taxpayers' Union Launches 2026 Ratepayers' Report for Waikato Councils

    Waikato ratepayers squeezed like grapes; Hamilton debt and widening rates gap leave a sour taste. Councils across the Waikato – one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing regions, driven by expansion in Hamilton and surrounding districts – are passing rising costs onto ratepayers through higher debt, increasing staffing, and expanding bureaucracies, according to...

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  47. Taxpayers' Union Launches 2026 Ratepayers' Report for Top of the South Councils

    Top of the South’s sunny image at a cost; Nelson rates and Tasman debt bearing down on ratepayers. The three councils across the Top of the South are imposing rising financial burdens on ratepayers through higher rates, growing debt, and expanding council operations, according to the Taxpayers’ Union’s 2026 Ratepayers’ Report council league tables. Taxpayers'...

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  48. Taxpayers' Union Launches 2026 Ratepayers' Report for Taranaki Councils 

    Taranaki boasts some of the lowest rates; refusal to disclose high salaries in Stratford District and Taranaki Regional concerns transparency. Councils across Taranaki may be charging some of the lowest rates in the North Island, but concerns are mounting over transparency and accountability, according to the Taxpayers’ Union’s 2026 council league tables, Ratepayers’ Report. Taxpayers' Union spokesperson, Josh Van Veen,...

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  49. Taxpayers' Union Launches 2026 Ratepayers' Report for Southland Councils

    Southland ratepayers haul a light load of debt; Gore’s high costs weigh heaviest at the bottom of the country. Gore District Council tops costs at the bottom of the country, but Southland ratepayers haul the country's lightest load of debt, as revealed by the Taxpayers’ Union’s 2026 Ratepayers’ Report council league tables. Taxpayers' Union spokesperson, Josh Van Veen, said: 
 
 “Southland may already be known for its fantastical landscapes...

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  50. Taxpayers' Union Launches 2026 Ratepayers' Report for Otago Councils 

    Otago ratepayers crushed by debt; extreme rates divide between Queenstown Lakes and Clutha District.  The Taxpayers’ Union’s Ratepayers’ Report, released today, reveals Otago region is home to the highest per-household council debt in the country. Queenstown Lakes owes nearly $30,000 per household in debt, while the Otago region faces one of the widest rates gaps in the country. The full council league...

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  51. Taxpayers' Union Launches 2026 Ratepayers' Report for Northland Councils

    Northland councils remain north of financial responsibility; high costs hide behind narrow rates gap between Whangārei and Far North. At the top of the country, councils across Northland are showing signs of financial strain, according to the Taxpayers’ Union’s 2026 council league tables, the Ratepayers’ Report. Taxpayers' Union spokesperson, Josh Van Veen, said: 
 
 “Northland stands out for having the smallest average residential rates gap within any region of the...

    Read more about Taxpayers' Union Launches 2026 Ratepayers' Report for Northland Councils

  52. Taxpayers' Union Launches 2026 Ratepayers' Report for Manawatū–Whanganui Councils

    Manawatū–Whanganui faces rising costs; Horowhenua’s debt and bureaucracy should raise alarms for ratepayers. Councils across Manawatū–Whanganui are placing increasing financial pressure on households through rising debt, staffing, and outsourcing costs, according to the Taxpayers’ Union’s 2026 league table, Ratepayers’ Report. Taxpayers' Union spokesperson, Josh Van Veen, said: 
 
 “While Manawatū–Whanganui is known for its strong agricultural base and tight-knit communities,...

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  53. Taxpayers' Union Launches 2026 Ratepayers' Report for Hawke’s Bay Councils

    Hawke’s Bay hit with high debts; Wairoa’s outsourcing costs on consultants and contractors raise alarms. Councils across Hawke’s Bay are loading up ratepayers with high costs, rising debt, and heavy reliance on contractors, according to the Taxpayers’ Union’s 2026 Ratepayers’ Report. The league tables highlight significant variation across the region, with Hastings District Council and Wairoa District Council standing out for...

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  54. Taxpayers' Union Launches 2026 Ratepayers' Report for Gisborne District Council

    Gisborne’s ‘one council’ model fails; high staffing and debt burden ratepayers. Gisborne’s unitary council structure is intended to deliver efficiency, but the Taxpayers’ Union’s 2026 league table Ratepayers’ Report shows ratepayers are still facing significant costs across the board with the council carrying a high staffing cost and nearly $10,000 of debt per household. Taxpayers'...

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  55. Taxpayers' Union Launches 2026 Ratepayers' Report for Canterbury Councils

    Canterbury ratepayers feeling the aftershocks; Christchurch debt and widening cost gaps hit hard. Councils across Canterbury are placing increasing financial strain on ratepayers through rising debt, staffing, and outsourcing costs, according to the Taxpayers’ Union’s 2026 Ratepayers’ Report council league tables. Taxpayers' Union spokesperson, Josh Van Veen, said: 
 
 “Canterbury has seen significant growth and rebuilding over...

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  56. Taxpayers' Union Launches 2026 Ratepayers' Report for Bay of Plenty Councils 

    Bay of Plenty averages third highest debt per household in the country; Tauranga City Council’s chief among them. Tauranga City Council claims the highest debt levels per household in Bay of Plenty – according to the 2026 Ratepayers’ Report – the Taxpayers' Union’s local government league tables, released today and available at RatepayersReport.nz.   Taxpayers' Union...

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  57. Taxpayers' Union Launches 2026 Ratepayers' Report for Auckland Council

    Auckland’s “Super City” with super-sized costs; ratepayers foot the bureaucracy bill. New Zealand’s “Super City” is operating on a scale unparalleled across the country, as the Taxpayers’ Union’s 2026 Ratepayers’ Report league tables reveal the per household cost of Auckland’s massive bureaucracy.   Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance spokesperson, Josh Van Veen, said: 
 
 "Auckland Council serves more than 1.8 million people —...

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  58. FAQs: Ratepayers’ Report 2026

    What is the purpose of the Ratepayers’ Report?    The Ratepayers' Report provides accountability and transparency to New Zealand ratepayers by allowing them to compare their local territorial authority with others around the country.    Where was the data sourced?    The Taxpayers' Union compiled the data in the Ratepayers' Report from figures obtained...

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  59. Council Payroll Blowout: Big Five Spend $1.3 Billion on Staff

    The 2026 Ratepayers’ Report – the local council league tables – shows that among New Zealand’s biggest urban councils, staffing costs have become a major burden on households.  While Auckland runs the country’s largest council machine in absolute terms, three other councils stand out for punishingly high staffing costs per household. Tauranga is costing...

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  60. Council Payroll Blowout: Big Five Spend $1.3 Billion on Staff

    The 2026 Ratepayers’ Report – the local council league tables – shows that among New Zealand’s biggest urban councils, staffing costs have become a major burden on households.  While Auckland runs the country’s largest council machine in absolute terms, three other councils stand out for punishingly high staffing costs per household. Tauranga is costing...

    Read more about Council Payroll Blowout: Big Five Spend $1.3 Billion on Staff

  61. Ratepayers’ Report 2026: Council League Tables Launched by Taxpayers’ Union

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has released the 2026 edition of the Ratepayers’ Report, New Zealand's local government league tables at RatepayersReport.nz.  Ratepayers’ Report allows Kiwis to easily compare their local council’s performance and financial position against others across the country. The Report provides transparency for ratepayers, with financial and rates figures presented on a per-household basis for...

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  62. Taxpayer Update: Booze, Backflips & Borrowing 💸 | Waikato Betrayal Exposed 🐍 | Debt Crisis Red Alert 🚨

    Dear Supporter,A short work week, but a busy one. Tomorrow morning we launch the much anticipated annual Ratepayers' Report (local government league tables) exposing what town halls across the country don't want you to know. It should hit your inbox first thing.Then we head straight into spending season...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Booze, Backflips & Borrowing 💸 | Waikato Betrayal Exposed 🐍 | Debt Crisis Red Alert 🚨

  64. From “Rates Control” to damage control: LGNZ backflip called out as lying political hyenas pull middle finger to ratepayers

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling out Waikato Regional Council councillors from the "Rates Control Team" who have today broken their explicit election promises to withdraw the Waikato Regional Council from Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) - just months after taking their oath of office.At todays vote, the following...

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  65. Taxpayers’ Union Slams Waikato Regional Chair For Silencing LGNZ Critics

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is slamming Waikato Regional Council after being blocked from speaking at Thursday's meeting on whether the council should resign from Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ).Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman, Rhys Hurley, said:“Waikato Regional councillors are preparing to vote on whether to keep funding LGNZ, yet...

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  66. NEW POLL: Coalition Preference Has Right Bloc Ahead, With NZ First Voters Leading The Charge

    New Taxpayers' Union–Curia polling shows a plurality of voters prefer a National/ACT/NZ First coalition over a Labour/Greens/Te Pāti Māori alternative, with NZ First's own base backing the right bloc nearly unanimously.A nationwide poll of 1,027 New Zealanders asked which of two three-party coalitions they would prefer to form the next...

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  67. Taxpayer Talk: Professor Elizabeth Rata on the decline of education in New Zealand

      Why did New Zealand’s education system "turn to custard" in 1971? In this episode of Taxpayer Talk, host Peter Williams sits down with Professor Elizabeth Rata to explore how the nation moved from a world-class, knowledge-rich curriculum to one dominated by "social constructivism" and "learnification”.Elizabeth also lifts the...

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  68. REVEALED: $160,000 in Corporate Welfare Upgrades for Private Retirement Villages

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through an Official Information Act requestthat $161,985.55 of taxpayer funding has been used to subsidise insulation upgrades in Summerset's privately-run Wanganui and Havelock North retirement villages.The funding was provided through the Warmer Kiwi Homes programme, with payments made to contractors installing...

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  69. Moody’s warning shows Nicola’s Fudge isn’t so sweet after all

     Moody’s has placed New Zealand’s credit rating on a negative outlook, underscoring growing concern about the Government’s worsening fiscal position.Responding, Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“Minister Willis is right to say this is another warning that New Zealand can’t afford to simply spend more and borrow more. The...

    Read more about Moody’s warning shows Nicola’s Fudge isn’t so sweet after all

  71. Taxpayers’ Union challenges MBIE over fuel data secrecy after unanswered questions

    The Taxpayers’ Union has today written to MBIE Chief Executive Nic Blakeley demanding answers after officials repeatedly failed to justify claims that key fuel security data must be withheld from the public.The letter follows last week’s meeting between MBIE's CEO, officials and the Taxpayers’ Union regarding its Fuel...

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  72. Inflation Back Above Target: Government’s “Last Chance Budget” Looms

    Responding to this morning’s CPI figures showing inflation at 3.1 percent, above the Reserve Bank’s target band, Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“While today’s number was broadly expected, it’s the next wave that should worry Kiwis. Fuel price hikes are only just starting to work their way through...

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  73. Why won’t MBIE list the ships? Tracking data makes a mockery of ‘official’ fuel update

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on MBIE to be transparent about which fuel-carrying ships are expected to arrive in New Zealand, so the public can have a clear picture of fuel stock flows into the country - rather than relying on five-day-old data, as released by MBIE earlier...

    Read more about Why won’t MBIE list the ships? Tracking data makes a mockery of ‘official’ fuel update

  74. REVEALED: Children’s Commissioner Spends $140,000 on Self-Promoted Campaign

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through an Official Information Act request that the Children’s Commissioner’s “Dear Children” campaign cost $139,880.25 (GST inclusive).While advocacy is part of the Commissioner’s role, the campaign places Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad front and centre, raising questions about whether this is public...

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  75. Taxpayer Talk: Oliver Hartwich on Restoring Democratic Control of the Public Service

    In this episode of Taxpayer Talk, Peter Williams sits down with Oliver Hartwich, Executive Director of the New Zealand Initiative, to discuss why he believes the country’s public service is "fundamentally broken" and incompatible with implementing good policy.Oliver explains how the 1988 reforms inadvertently created a  state where...

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  76. How can councillors be expected to govern when those governed are throttling information?

    Responding to news that Wellington City Council’s former CEO withheld a damning report into the Council's dysfunctional relationship with Wellington Water, Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said the decision was “reprehensible, especially given it was kept from elected councillors responsible for water infrastructure.”“But even more concerning is former...

    Read more about How can councillors be expected to govern when those governed are throttling information?

  77. Taxpayer Update: Disinformation from former COVID Minister 🤥 | Leaked audio from MBIE 📣 | Goldsmith's secret plan to water down OIA? 🤫

    Hi,This week, we call out a former Labour COVID-response Minister for (ironically) disinformation, reveal a LEAKED audio recording of the now infamous "MBIE workplace waiata", and fisk the Green Party's proposed wealth tax. Plus we'll brief you on new work by the New Zealand Initiative think tank, asking...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Disinformation from former COVID Minister 🤥 | Leaked audio from MBIE 📣 | Goldsmith's secret plan to water down OIA? 🤫

  78. Open Door to Higher Taxes? Hipkins Under Pressure After Russell Signals CGT Could Grow

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on Labour leader Chris Hipkins to clarify his party’s position after Labour’s Revenue spokesperson Deborah Russell refused to rule out expanding their proposed capital gains tax.“Deborah Russell’s refusal to confirm Labour’s capital gains tax goes far enough should ring alarm bells for taxpayers,”...

    Read more about Open Door to Higher Taxes? Hipkins Under Pressure After Russell Signals CGT Could Grow

  81. Wellington Water Pay Blowouts While Households Face Soaring Bills

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is slamming pay increases for Wellington’s new water entity leadership, including board pay reportedly doubling, as households face water bills are set to be introduced.Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:“Wellington households are being told to brace for water bills heading toward $7,000,...

    Read more about Wellington Water Pay Blowouts While Households Face Soaring Bills

  84. Science funding to save the native trees: videos games and prayers

    Hi,In my email last month exposing the $156,132 taxpayer-funded "science" kumara patch, I said there was more to come...Today, I want to tell you about two projects – both out of the University of Auckland, and both funded from the same "National Science Challenge" pot of taxpayer money.Remember the objective...

    Read more about Science funding to save the native trees: videos games and prayers

  87. Taxpayer Update: Pay Gap exposed: Bureaucrats cash in 🤑 | $116k council logo rip-off 🎨 | 'Everything is awesome' podcast 🎙️

    Hi,We’re straight into it this week with the latest Taxpayers’ Union-Curia Poll.NEW POLL: NZ First support surges with best-ever Taxpayers’ Union-Curia Poll result ⬆︎⬆︎⬆︎The Government has seen a significant increase in support according to the first public poll taken since the announcement of the Government’s Fuel Security Plan....

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Pay Gap exposed: Bureaucrats cash in 🤑 | $116k council logo rip-off 🎨 | 'Everything is awesome' podcast 🎙️

  88. Labour Needs To Read The Numbers

    Responding to calls in The Post by Labour MP Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall that there have been “thousands of public service job losses", Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:“Where on earth is Dr Verrall getting these numbers from? The Public Service Commission’s own data shows there are still more...

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  92. REVEALED: Selwyn Council’s $30k Self-Monitoring Subscription

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act request that Selwyn District Council is spending $27,186 a year on media monitoring.The service, provided by STREEM, tracks mentions of the council across print, online news, television, radio, podcasts, and social media...

    Read more about REVEALED: Selwyn Council’s $30k Self-Monitoring Subscription

  94. Brown Sounds Alarm on $1.3bn Ticketing Boondoggle, And He’s Right

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has responded to reports that Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is raising concerns about the Government’s $1.3 billion National Ticketing System(NTS).Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“The NTS is shaping up to be yet another taxpayer-funded boondoggle driven by Wellington wishful thinking rather than real-world...

    Read more about Brown Sounds Alarm on $1.3bn Ticketing Boondoggle, And He’s Right

  95. Why are taxpayers funding security at privately-owned airports?

     The Taxpayers’ Union is questioning why taxpayers are funding security at privately-owned airports, as it reveals that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) employs 1,855 staff (excluding casuals, contractors, board members and staff on leave), making it larger than the United Kingdom’s 1,602 employees, which handles around ten times as...

    Read more about Why are taxpayers funding security at privately-owned airports?

  96. MBIE Fuel Data Four Days Late: Are Officials Guessing While Kiwis Run on Empty?

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling for better transparency from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) after it released today's fuel stock data that is already four days out of date, despite the importance of timely information during the ongoing fuel crisis.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“In...

    Read more about MBIE Fuel Data Four Days Late: Are Officials Guessing While Kiwis Run on Empty?

  97. Taxpayer Update: Hipkins found guilty 👨‍⚖️ | Bond markets jitter 🥶 | Fuel rationing alert system announced ⛽️

    Hi,What a week.Not since March 2020 have we seen the carnage in the New Zealand Government bond market as we saw in the last five days. Not good.Emergency "Alert Levels" are back! It's now official, with the Beehive signalling what everyone in Wellington has known for ten days:...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Hipkins found guilty 👨‍⚖️ | Bond markets jitter 🥶 | Fuel rationing alert system announced ⛽️

  98. New report reveals fiscal reckoning as debt, deficits, and fuel-driven cost pressures collide

    The Taxpayers’ Union has today released Fiscal Reality Check: The Reckoning in Numbers, exposing the scale of New Zealand’s deteriorating finances and the mounting pressure on Kiwi households.The report highlights soaring debt, no surplus this decade, rising interest costs, and weakening economic growth, now compounded by global instability and...

    Read more about New report reveals fiscal reckoning as debt, deficits, and fuel-driven cost pressures collide

  99. Taxpayer Update: Govt funding activism 🇵🇸 | Fuel data fiasco ⛽️ | Looming fiscal reckoning 💣

    Hi,It’s been another busy week in the Wellington bubble: the fuel crisis has dominated, but, unfortunately, we've yet again uncovered more creative ways they're wasting your tax dollar.And just to add to the drama, a new Fiscal Reality Check for New Zealand. Buckle in.The $30k taxpayer-funded pro-Palestinian campaign in...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Govt funding activism 🇵🇸 | Fuel data fiasco ⛽️ | Looming fiscal reckoning 💣

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