Job Opportunities:
Taxpayers' Union Board:
Jordan Williams – Executive Director & Co-founder
- Email: [email protected]
- Twitter: Follow @JordNZ
- DDI: (04) 282 0301
- Bio: Our Executive Director is Jordan Williams. Jordan is a constitutional and commercial lawyer who manages the day-to-day operations of the Union. His background is in law and accounting and in 2011 he was spokesperson for Vote for Change, a lobby group that campaigned against the retention of the MMP electoral system. In 2019 Jordan was elected onto the Board of World Taxpayers Associations – the global network of taxpayers groups working together for lower taxes, limited and accountable government, and taxpayer rights all over the world.
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"There are thousands of groups, often taxpayer funded, that argue for more money to be taken from Kiwis to fund pet projects. The Taxpayers' Union balances the debate. We argue that value for money is more sensible than tax, spend, and hope policies dreamed up by politicians."
Laurence Kubiak – Chair
- Email: [email protected]
- Bio: Laurence has an extensive background in business and governance. He is a former CEO of the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, former Chair of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Trustees Executors Ltd, and Director of Northpower.
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"Government spending needs to create value for the New Zealand taxpayer, and robust, independent scrutiny is of vital importance in any healthy democracy. The work of the Union will never be more important than in the years ahead."
Hon. Ruth Richardson – Board member
- Email: [email protected]
- Bio: Ruth was Minister of Finance in the fourth National Government, has been Chairman and Director of a range of private and public companies as well as the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, and coaches sovereign states seeking to transform their prospects.
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"Governments make spending and regulatory choices, but not in an accountability vacuum. The Taxpayers’ Union gives well researched and often noisy voice on behalf of we who pay and suffer the consequences of ill-designed public policy. As a lifetime activist in these causes being a Director of the Taxpayers’ Union sits well with my DNA."
Chris Milne – Board member
- Email: [email protected]
- Bio: Chris is a councillor at Hutt City Council, a trustee and former chair of the Nikau Foundation (Wellington's community foundation), a trustee of the Nga Manu Nature Reserve, and a part owner and director of the boutique small goods manufacturer Martinez Ltd. He is a former ACT Party Parliamentary Chief of Staff.
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"The Taxpayers' Union's focus on waste, efficiency and transparency occupies an important public niche and the organisation offers a constant reminder to both local and central government that they cannot spend money that they have not first taxed from productive workers and businesses, so the quality of their spending really matters for a prosperous New Zealand.”
Hon. John Boscawen – Board member
- Email: [email protected]
- Bio: John is a businessman and former ACT MP and Minister of Consumer Affairs and Associate Minister of Commerce in the John Key Government.
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“The Taxpayers’ Union does extremely valuable work in exposing government waste and excesses and standing up for the ordinary, hard-working New Zealander who is forced to pay far too much to the Government. I am very much looking forward to playing my part in helping the organization continue to go from strength to strength.”
Paul Ridley-Smith – Board member
- Email: [email protected]
- Bio: Paul Ridley-Smith is an experienced commercial lawyer, investment banker, and company director. He was for many years employed by the Morrison/Infratil group and was, for a time, General Counsel at Contact Energy. His directorships have included Wellington International Airport, Manawa Energy, Arvida Group, Liquigas, and I-Site Media.
Taxpayers' Union Adviser:
Jim Rose – Research Fellow
- Twitter: Follow @Jim Rose
- Blog: www.utopiayouarestandinginit.com
- Bio: Jim Rose has worked at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, the Department of Labour, the Ministry of Social Development, and the New Zealand Treasury, and in Canberra for the Productivity Commission, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and the Department of Finance. Jim has Masters degrees in economics and in public policy from the Australian National University and from the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo respectively.
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"A lot of money would be saved by taxpayers if bureaucrats always had to put forward 'Lilley’s option' – the option of doing nothing – whenever there is a problem or a crisis."
Taxpayers' Union Staff:
James Ross – Policy and Public Affairs Manager
- Email: [email protected]
- Bio: James is our Policy and Public Affairs Manager, having joined us from the UK’s Conservative Party. He brings a wealth of political experience to the role from his time managing political campaigns for Cabinet Ministers, MPs, and Council Groups, as well as prior research experience from an MScEcon in Public Policy from Cardiff University.
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“I’ve always believed that people know how to live their own lives and spend their own money far better than faceless government committees do. Having spent my career so far fighting for government transparency and value-for-money, I’ve yet to find a stronger champion than the Taxpayers’ Union.”
Michelle van der Veer – Development Manager
- Email: [email protected]
- DDI: 027 226 0868
- Bio: Michelle is our Development Manager. She has spent over 20 years in the manufacturing, import and distribution space including as a Director of her own company for 14 years and in general management of the family business. More recently Michelle has worked for a national residential group builder gaining insight into construction process, subdivision and multi-unit development. Having formerly worked for the New Zealand Opera company, Michelle brings a broad range of business development and professional experience to our organisation.
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“My firmly held view is that a Governments role is to provide accessible operational infrastructure, such that any aspirational New Zealander, regardless of their circumstance, can better their position if they so choose. Given the hard work and sacrifice of those that have gone before in order to provide us these freedoms, it is critical we hold Government to account to ensure we preserve our democracy so future generations can benefit from the same.
Sara Leckie – Office and Finance Manager
- Email: [email protected]
- DDI: 04 495 7914
- Bio: Sara is our full-time Office and Finance Manager. She has extensive experience in all the corporate services fields. Sara deals with all our office administration and assists the Board with donor engagement and fundraising.
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“I have worked in both the government and private sector – working at the Taxpayers’ Union has been a very different experience and one I am really enjoying. It is a great team environment with enthusiastic, committed individuals working hard to further the mission of the Taxpayers’ Union.”
Ray Deacon – Economist
- Email: [email protected]
- Bio: After a career in public and private sectors, including seven years as New Zealand's Regulatory Affairs Manager at Rio Tinto, Ray was looking for a role that combined his enjoyment for advocacy and analysis. The Union fitted the bill perfectly. Ray has undergraduate degrees in science and economics, a diploma in business and a master's degree in economics.
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“If a government justifies an investment as strategic – it's a safe bet it's not economic.”
Sam Warren – Local Government Campaigns Manager
- Email: [email protected]
- Bio: Sam is our Local Government Campaigns Manager. As a former advisor for the Parliamentary Service, he’s seen the inner workings and brings a depth of experience towards navigating government ministries, agencies, and parliamentary offices – as well as working on campaigns within the political landscape. Sam studied at Victoria University of Wellington, earning degrees in politics, international relations, and marketing.
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“It's impossible to be involved in politics and not follow the work of the Taxpayers' Union in some capacity. For years the Taxpayers' Union has moved the dial and worked hard to bring important (and often difficult) conversations to the surface."
Amber Tatton - Communications and Administration Coordinator
- Email: [email protected]
- Bio: Amber brings more than four years of experience in New Zealand’s financial services sector and holds a BScEcon in International Relations and Politics from Cardiff University. With a background in project management from the UK and previous experience working for an MP, she supports our small dollar fundraising and supporter engagement.
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"Having witnessed first-hand the challenges individuals and businesses face in managing finances, I believe government should be held to the same standards of efficiency and transparency. The Taxpayers' Union plays a crucial role in advocating for responsible spending, reminding our leaders that every dollar spent is hard-earned by New Zealanders."
Rhys Hurley – Researcher (Investigations)
- Email: [email protected]
- Bio: Rhys is our Researcher in investigations. He is currently in his third year at Victoria University, undertaking a Bachelor of Law.
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"I first became a supporter of the Taxpayers' Union with the revelation of millions wasted on the unnecessary Fire Services rebrand, highlighting New Zealand's struggles with government spending. Working for the Taxpayers' Union has taught me how to keep our government and councils accountable for these wasteful decisions. Helping me to uncover waste the traditional media passes over or misses and ensure this is not repeated elsewhere."
Phoenix Dingle – Researcher
- Email: [email protected]
- Bio: Phoenix is a full-time research intern, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Business.
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"I joined the Taxpayers' Union to advocate for responsible governance and fiscal accountability. As one of the few organisations in New Zealand focused on scrutinising taxpayer spending, it is rewarding to be part of a team dedicated to holding the government accountable and addressing the inefficiencies and ineptitude that allow waste and mismanagement to persist."
Alex Emes - Communications Officer
- Email: [email protected]
- Bio: Alex is our Communications Officer. Originally from Canada, he gained experience with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, along with several other research think tanks before coming to New Zealand. Alex has studied in five different countries and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Saskatchewan.
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"For far too long Governments have been too quick to take people’s money and power by handing it over to bureaucrats. The Taxpayers’ Union’s message provides a real opportunity to correct this course, by fighting for the good life all Kiwis deserve."
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