Posted in SUBMISSIONS by Tory Relf | September 8, 2026
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union submitted feedback on the Government’s proposals to modernise media regulation and content funding, as global streaming platforms reshape the industry. While the review aims to support local content and accessibility, we argued that several proposals risk distorting the market...
Read more about Modernising regulation and content funding arrangements for New ZealandPosted in NEWS by Tory Relf | August 31, 2026
The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that the Ministry of Social Development approved 155,103 rental bond grants worth $236,121,897 since 2023, but cannot report the total debt repaid.MSD refused to provide repayment and write-off data, saying it would require substantial manual collation from individual client...
Read more about REVEALED: WINZ’s $236 Million Bond Grant Black HolePosted in NEWS by NZTU Media | August 26, 2026
The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming ACT’s renewed commitment to scrap the Climate Change Commission, three years after first backing its abolition.Taxpayers’ Union spokeswoman, Ella Dickson, said:“This would be a huge win for taxpayers. We backed scrapping the Commission in 2023 and are pleased ACT...
Read more about Scrapping Climate Change Commission would be a win for taxpayersPosted in NEWS by NZTU Media | August 20, 2026
Fletcher Building has posted a $228 million net profit, just one month after the Government handed its Golden Bay Cement subsidiary a $60 million taxpayer bailout.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Levi Gibbs said:“Taxpayers were told this handout was needed to keep Golden Bay Cement afloat. A...
Read more about Fletcher’s $228m profit exposes $60m taxpayer stitch-upPosted in NEWS by NZTU Media | August 19, 2026
The Taxpayers’ Union is backing New Plymouth Mayor Max Brough’s push to unlock value from the council’s $25 million art collection, after he took aim at its mounting costs.Taxpayers’ Union spokeswoman, Ella Dickson, said:“While New Plymouth ratepayers are struggling, their council is sitting on...
Read more about Will New Plymouth's $25m art collection finally deliver value to ratepayers?Posted in DASHBOARDS by NZTU Media | August 10, 2026
Which bureaucrats are taking the most bed-days? Public servants are taking more sick leave every year. The average bureaucrat took 26 percent more sick days in 2025 than in 2021, rising from 8.14 to 10.26 days. Unless bureaucrats are getting sicker by the year,...
Read more about Public Service Sickie LeaderboardPosted in NEWS by NZTU Media | August 5, 2026
The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming the Government’s rapid review of the Ministry of Justice, after new information revealed the Russell Harrison scandal is not the only case of its kind within the Ministry.An Official Information Act request by the Taxpayers’ Union reveals the Ministry...
Read more about Taxpayer Victory, with a Twist: Four More on Gardening LeavePosted in NEWS by NZTU Media | July 29, 2026
Responding to MBIE uncovering a further $6 million in costs associated with its failed Biometric Capability Upgrade, Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams said:“Finding another $6 million down the back of the couch is not a rounding error. It exposes a shocking lack of...
Read more about Heads must roll after MBIE finds another $6 millionPosted in NEWS by NZTU Media | July 29, 2026
The Taxpayers' Union says the Government's response to the COVID-19 Inquiry is a good start, but New Zealand needs structural reforms to ensure taxpayers are never again left paying for a "spend now, check later" approach to government.Taxpayers' Union spokesperson Tyler Groenewald said the...
Read more about COVID Inquiry must be the blueprint for permanent reformPosted in NEWS by NZTU Media | July 29, 2026
Responding to MBIE chief executive Nic Blakeley denying any attempt to mislead Parliament over the failed $35 million Biometric Capability Update project, Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams said:“Claiming the project was 'commercially sensitive' is a slimy bureaucratic excuse for misleading MPs. If Mr Blakeley...
Read more about MBIE boss’s slimy excuse for misleading Parliament fails the sniff test