Posted in NEWS by NZTU Media | August 20, 2026
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling on the Government to ban settlement payouts across councils and government agencies following the Chatham Islands Council’s $100,000 payment to disgraced former Chief Executive Paul Eagle.Taxpayers’ Union spokesman, Rhys Hurley, said:“How on Earth can someone whose conduct...
Read more about Government Must Ban Public Sector Golden HandshakesPosted in NEWS by Jordan Williams | December 7, 2025
Dear Supporter, The silly season is well underway. It's the time for Christmas shopping, summer planning, last minute errands, and when Governments tend to 'take out the trash' – hoping bad news stories are buried in the Christmas rush. So while Christmas is right...
Read more about Taxpayer Update: Govt want to Cap Rates LATER ⏰ | New dashboard of savings 🧮 | $837,000 of Golden Handshakes this week alone 🫲Posted in NEWS by NZTU Media | December 4, 2025
The Taxpayers' Union is calling for greater transparency and a hard cap on exit payouts in the public sector after taxpayers have funded an eye-watering $837,000 bill for golden handshakes this week alone.The $837,000 bill stems from three high-profile public sector exits this week:...
Read more about $837,000 in Golden Handshakes this week alonePosted in NEWS by NZTU Media | December 3, 2025
The Taxpayers’ Union is calling for a law change to prevent the payout of golden handshakes to public servants paid more than MPs, after yet another health boss has walked away with a $350,000 payout despite leaving voluntarily.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“We’re barely...
Read more about Another day, another golden handshakePosted in NEWS by NZTU Media | November 4, 2025
The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming news of another taxpayer-funded payout, this time to Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Christian Hawkesby, calling it the second golden handshake revealed in as many months.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“This is déjà vu for taxpayers. Just weeks after Adrian...
Read more about Second golden handshake in two months: Minister Collins must actPosted in NEWS by NZTU Media | April 22, 2025
On the news Health NZ paid for outgoing Chief Executive Margie Apa to attend a governance course — after she’d already resigned.Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Co-ordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:“Margie Apa was already one of the highest-paid public servants in the country — pocketing $895,000 this year, nearly $400,000...
Read more about Health CEO Paid More Than the PM — Then Got a Golden HandshakePosted in NEWS by Callum Purves | July 12, 2024
It's been a recess week at Parliament this week, but even with some of the top political leaders out of the country, the scourge of government waste persists ... At the same time, good news for the Government (and Mr Luxon) in this month's...
Read more about Taxpayer Update: Golden handshake for incompetence 👋🤑 | NZQ-Ay? Yet another rebrand 💸🤬 | NEW POLL: Government gains, Labour drops 📊💥Posted in NEWS by NZTU Media | February 22, 2024
Responding to news that two Three Waters Chief Executives have received a combined $710,000 in redundancy payments, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said: “Golden handshakes worth almost 11 times the annual median wage combined after just 10 months of work...
Read more about Three Waters Chief Execs’ Golden Handshakes Equal to Almost 11x Median SalaryPosted in UNLISTED ARCHIVE by New Zealand Taxpayers' Union | February 12, 2020
Napier City Council is reportedly negotiating a nearly $1 million payout for departing CEO Wayne Jack. Departing CEOs do not need or deserve massive payouts – especially when they've lost the confidence of councillors. If Napier City Council is unhappy with Wayne Jack's performance...
Read more about Petition: Say no to the golden handshake for Napier City Council’s CEO