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."
Hon. Ruth Richardson – Chair
- 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.”
Dr. John Harman – Board member
- Email: [email protected]
- Bio: Dr John is a former surgeon who set up New Zealand's first Breast Clinic @ St Marks Breast Centre and Founded the Breast Cancer Cure Trust. He is known for his investment and innovation within the healthcare sector. John is now a unicorn investor and CEO of a solar power company.
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“My father went to war from his Bure in Fiji, and fought for freedom for NZ. Now for the past 40 years I have seen our freedoms and equality reduced. The government - local and national - have wasted our money and resources with little or no accountability. Only the Taxpayers' Union can be truly unbiased, apolitical and a voice for honesty, common sense and accountability."
Taxpayers' Union Advisory Board:
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 – Head of Policy and Legislative Affairs
- Email: [email protected]
- Bio: James is our Head of Policy and Legislative Affairs, 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.”
Tory Relf – Head of Communications
- Email: [email protected]
- Bio: Tory joined the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union in 2025 from North Wales where she was an Area Campaign Manager for the UK Conservative Party. She has an MA in Politics and BSocSci in Politics and International Relations from University of Manchester.
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“Taxpayers deserve honest, effective representation in how their money is spent. With a background in political communications, I’m focused on ensuring that New Zealanders have the information they need to hold decision-makers accountable.”
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.”
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 – Investigations Coordinator
- Email: [email protected]
- Bio: Rhys is our Investigations Coordinator. He is currently in his final year at Victoria University, undertaking a Bachelor of Law.
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"I work at the Taxpayers’ Union because I believe New Zealanders deserve better value for the taxes they pay. I first got involved after seeing millions wasted on vanity projects like the Fire Services rebrand — a clear sign of a system that too often puts bureaucracy ahead of common sense. Now, I help expose the waste and excess that politicians and councils would rather keep quiet, making sure taxpayer money is spent where it counts."
Matt Larsen - Graphic Designer
- Email: [email protected]
- Bio: Matthew is our Senior Graphic Designer. Originally from the print industry in Invercargill, he works across print, motion graphics, video editing, and event photography and videography to turn our message and mission into clear, useful visuals. He has a print-trained eye for detail and exceptional digital skills, taking campaigns from concept to delivery and producing everything from reports and social graphics to short-form video. He also covers our events with videography and photography, so supporters can see the work first-hand.
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"In today’s fast paced world of constant noise. I use my skills to win your attention and point you to what matters, where your money goes and who is accountable. I make the important stuff easy to see and hard to ignore."
Austin Ellingham-Banks - Researcher
- Email: [email protected]
- Bio: Austin is our Researcher. He’s in his penultimate year at university, studying a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Political Science and Public Policy.
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"I believe in a government that knows its place—smaller, smarter, and out of my wallet. At the Taxpayers’ Union, I’m proud to help shine a light on waste and push for policies that put taxpayers first."
Sandra Conroy – Executive Assistant
- Email: [email protected]
- Bio: As Executive Assistant to Executive Director Jordan Williams, Sandra provides behind-the-scenes support that helps keep the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union’s operations running smoothly. With over 15 years in the tourism industry and 12 years managing administration for her family business, she brings strong organisational skills, adaptability, and a fresh perspective to the team.
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"Working here has helped me appreciate how important accountability and transparency are when it comes to making sure taxpayers’ money is spent responsibly. It’s inspiring to support a team that’s holding decision-makers to account and pushing for real change."
Ella Dickson - Communications Officer
- Email: [email protected]
- Bio: Ella is a Communications Officer and former Intern. She is in her final year of university, majoring in both Art History and English Literature. From her humanities background, Ella is interested in how language and narratives are frequently used in politics.
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"Language and narratives in politics often leave taxpayers misinformed or left out of the conversations they pay for. The Taxpayers' Union brings Kiwis directly into those conversations.”
Tyler Groenewald - Communications Officer and Generation Screwed Coordinator
- Email: [email protected]
- Bio: Tyler is a Communications Officer and our Generation Screwed Coordinator, overseeing our campus outreach programme. Originally from South Africa and raised in New Zealand, Tyler was selected as a Youth MP in 2022. She will graduate with a BScoSci in Political Science and History from Waikato University at the end of 2025.
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"Governments of all stripes have shown me that I will be inheriting debt from irresponsible fiscal management. My generation needs growth; the Taxpayer's Union holds those accountable for fiscal mismanagement that directly shapes our future.”
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