We operate our campaign out of a lean office in the heart of Wellington – 150 metres from the Parliamentary complex. With backgrounds in campaigning, journalism, business, economics and politics, we are uniquely placed to represent your interests and ensure the voice of the taxpayer is heard loud and clear in the corridors of power. Our Auckland campaigns, including for our sister group, the Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance, are run out of our shared office in Auckland.
For all media enquiries - please call our media line on 04 282 0302 (24-hr) or email [email protected]
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."
David Farrar – Co-founder
- Email: [email protected]
- Twitter: Follow @dpfdpf
- Blog: www.kiwiblog.co.nz
- Bio: David is a well known political blogger and commentator. David also owns and manages the specialist polling agency Curia Market Research and has an active involvement in Internet issues. He is an experienced political campaigner and former parliamentary staffer.
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"I helped form the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union because I believe that New Zealand needs a lobby group to stand up for the rights of taxpayers and ratepayers, and fight against those who treat them as a never ending source of funds."
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."
Casey Costello – Board member
- Email: [email protected]
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Bio: Casey has over 30 years experience in security and law enforcement. After leaving the Police as a Detective Sergeant and vice-president of the NZ Police Association she has held various management roles including Parliamentary Service.
After years as general manager of a building services company she now owns her own successful consultancy business.
Since 2016 she has been co-spokesperson of Hobson’s Pledge advocating for equality before the law for all New Zealanders. Casey is also active in the prevention of exploitation and supporting ethical labour practices with the establishment of a charitable trust to provide support and assistance to exploited workers. -
"A powerful minority are increasingly speaking for all Māori as if we don’t have political beliefs as varied and unique as any other culture. The Taxpayers’ Union challenges those who incorrectly think they can speak for me."
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.”
Taxpayers' Union Advisor:
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:
Callum Purves – Campaigns Manager
- Email: [email protected]
- DDI: (04) 495 7913
- Bio: Callum is our full-time Campaigns Manager. He has a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of St. Andrews and previously worked as a Regional Campaign Manager and Head of Field Operations for the Conservative and Unionist Party in Scotland and Northern Ireland. He also served for five years as a councillor on Perth and Kinross Council in Scotland and in research and advisory roles in the Scottish Parliament.
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“Politicians and unelected officials are far too quick to spend your money. They often seem to live in a bubble detached from the everyday lives of the people that they are meant to represent and serve. At the Taxpayers’ Union, we shine a light on government waste, champion lower taxes and fight for greater transparency and accountability in the democratic process.”
Derek Bonnar – Funding and External Relationships Manager
- Email: [email protected]
- DDI: 09 279 9969
- Bio: After being an enthusiastic supporter for a number of years, Derek joined the Taxpayers’ Union as our Funding and External Relationships Manager in April 2022. Derek has over twenty years’ experience in Senior Management positions in both New Zealand and Australia. He has worked in both highly commercial environments and the not for profit sector, in both environments he has achieved significant results in both fundraising and revenue growth. Derek’s key to business success has been based on building strong relationships with key stakeholders and supporters.
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“I became a passionate supporter of the Taxpayers’ Union after becoming increasingly alarmed at the sheer amount of government waste and unnecessary spending. Too often local and central politicians treat taxpayers and ratepayers as ATM machines to drive their bureaucratic extravagance. I am proud to be part of a great team that will hold government to account and ensure Taxpayers get value for their hard earned tax dollars”
Sara Leckie – Office Manager & Development Officer
- Email: [email protected]
- DDI: 04 495 7914
- Bio: Sara is our full-time Office Manager & Development Officer. 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.”
Josh Van Veen – Local Government Campaigns Manager
- Email: [email protected]
- Bio: Josh's most recent role was as a Funding Advisor at Auckland Transport – he has seen inside the belly of the beast! Prior to that, Josh worked in the private sector and as a Parliamentary Researcher in the office of Winston Peters. Josh is a contributor to Victoria University's Democracy Project and has a Master of Arts with First Class Honours from the University of Auckland. His Masters thesis was on the history of the Labour Party.
Sam Hill – Bay of Plenty Campaigns Co-ordinator
- Email: [email protected]
- Bio: Sam is our Bay of Plenty Campaigns Coordinator and spokesman for the Tauranga Ratepayers’ Alliance. He is passionate about local democracy and justice. Sam has previously worked in the New Zealand meat industry and for the Department of Corrections where he was a national union delegate for the Public Services Association.
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“Most New Zealanders would say everyone deserves a fair go, and in that regard it’s easy to be cynical about politics. Often politicians see the opinions and rights of New Zealanders as an inconvenience to their agenda. This is why it’s so important we nurture our democracy and keep informed about the legal and economic environment we live in. My goals in this role are to encourage public engagement in the democratic process and demand transparency and accountability from our public officials.”
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.”
Connor Molloy – Deputy National Campaigns Manager
- Email: [email protected]
- Bio: Connor is our Deputy National Campaigns Manager. He is currently in his fifth year at Victoria University studying a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Public Policy. He researches issues of tax, government waste and accountability.
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“I find it frustrating when successive governments tell voters that somehow we will be better off if we have less money in our pockets. No one is as careful with someone else’s money as they are with their own and government wastage is a perfect example of this. I’m here to advocate for value for money on all government spending and a greater level of accountability for taxpayers.”
Alex Murphy – Research Intern
- Email: [email protected]
- Bio: Alex is one of our part-time research interns. He is in his third year at Victoria University where he currently studies a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Economics and Political Science.
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“Since working at the TU, I’ve been blown away by the lack of respect government departments have for taxpayers’ money. I aim to promote responsible spending as well as greater transparency and accountability within all government entities where the needs of the taxpayer are always valued and prioritized.”
Dan Merry – Research Intern
- Email: [email protected]
- Bio: Dan is one of our student research interns. He is currently undertaking a BA in Philosophy, Politics and International Relations. His roles include following up on the tip-line, social media, and policy research.
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"I'm super passionate about politics and civic engagement. Working at the Taxpayers' Union provides me with a place to apply the skills I'm passionate about, and an equally passionate team of people with whom to discuss things. With my research, I'm able to better understand the finer points of government policy and spending and use that insight to help ensure our leaders are accountable."
Is This You?
We are always on the lookout for great additions to our team. Do you enjoy politics and want to be part of a growing movement? Do you agree with the objectives of the Taxpayers' Union? Our ability to hire staff depends on our success in fundraising, the support from members, and our current workload. A background in politics, communication, law, accounting, economics or finance is an advantage. If this sounds like you, send your CV and a cover letter to our Executive Director.