Posted in NEWS by NZTU Media | May 26, 2026
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...
Read more about Blame for Auckland Council's record high rates hike rests on North Shore MP Simon WattsPosted in NEWS by NZTU Media | April 1, 2026
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...
Read more about Brown Sounds Alarm on $1.3bn Ticketing Boondoggle, And He’s RightPosted in NEWS by NZTU Media | March 12, 2026
Responding to reports that Auckland Council has secured a formal commitment to consider a bed tax, New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Josh Van Veen said:“The Government should categorically rule out slapping Kiwis with yet another tax during the worst cost-of-living crisis in recent memory. Families and businesses are...
Read more about Government Urged to Rule Out Bed Tax on Kiwi TravellersPosted in NEWS by NZTU Media | February 16, 2026
Amid reports that Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has given into pressure from Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and agreed to consider a bed tax, Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“Who is running this government, the Prime Minister or Wayne Brown? A fortnight ago, Brown bullied...
Read more about From Rates Cap to Bed Tax, Luxon Bows to BrownPosted in NEWS by Larry N Mitchell Mitchell | November 6, 2018
The previous guest posts I have discussed the ills of Auckland Council focussing upon their wasteful and inefficient approach to the control of their costs. I, along with many commentators believe that Auckland Council's costs are totally out of control. One of the key reasons...
Read more about Guest Post: Larry Mitchell on Auckland Council examples of getting it wrongPosted in NEWS by New Union | March 13, 2015
Back-office Council staff have been receiving chic stylist advice courtesy of Auckland ratepayers Despite the Council cutting services and library hours, the council seemingly has money for make-up and fashion advice for back-office accounting staff. Material we’ve just released us show that the Council...
Read more about Ratepayer-funded fashion advice at Auckland CouncilPosted in NEWS by Larry N Mitchell Mitchell | January 12, 2015
In the last year there has been a lot of discussion regarding efforts by Auckland Council to fund its yawning funding gap, a gap that mostly relates to its transportation (roading) budgets. New tolls for existing motorways are a possibility, as well as distorying the Auckland...
Read more about Guest Post: Larry Mitchell on Auckland Council’s “Elephant in the Room”Guest Post: Larry Mitchell on Auckland Council’s “Elephant in the Room”Posted in NEWS by New Union | December 9, 2014
On Sunday we suggested that New Zealanders should be given the ability to recall their representatives after the latest of a series of scandals involving Auckland Mayor Len Brown was revealed. The NZ Herald picked up our suggestion: 'Secret room' spending shows need for...
Read more about Time for recall elections for local government?Posted in NEWS by New Union | July 17, 2014
That’s right – the Auckland Council’s CEO has a secretary that is advertising for a secretary. We have all heard about stories of politicians looking to empire build courtesy of the taxpayers’ pocket, but this really takes the cake. No wonder Auckland Council now...
Read more about Like Russian nesting dolls Auckland Council secretaries need secretariesPosted in NEWS by New Union | July 14, 2014
Auckland Ratepayers “Wake Up” at last Bernard Orsman's analysis last week of Auckland Council's financial trouble got right to the heart of the matter. The section headed "Hey Big Spender you’re in a deep financial hole" accurately nails the central issue facing Auckland’s overtaxed...
Read more about Guest Post: Larry Mitchell on Auckland Council's finances