Posted in PAPERS & BRIEFINGS by Tory Relf | May 20, 2026
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has today released Back to Black: A plan to rebuild New Zealand’s public finances before it’s too late.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“Seeing as Finance Minister Nicola Willis appeared to enjoy our A Pathway to Surplus report enough to bring...
Read more about Back to Black: Taxpayers’ Union releases plan to restore New Zealand’s public financesPosted in NEWS by NZTU Media | May 19, 2026
The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ target to reduce the public service to 55,000, saying it is a win for taxpayers – but that next week’s Budget must keep the same pressure.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“Cutting the public service headcount...
Read more about Willis’ bureaucrat slash is a win for taxpayers, Budget must now go furtherPosted in NEWS by NZTU Media | May 7, 2026
Responding to revelations today that the ex-CEO of Auckland’s City Rail Link thinks the expected $5.5 billion final cost could have been halved, Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson, Tory Relf, said “if even remotely accurate, such a waste of ratepayers’ and taxpayers’ money warrants a full...
Read more about Taxpayers need answers for City Rail Link overspendPosted in NEWS by NZTU Media | May 7, 2026
Reacting to report in The Post revealing KiwiRail’s ferry project’s $14.4 million consultant spend, including $1 million on recruitment services alone, Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tyler Groenewald said:“$14.4 million on consultants and not a single ferry to show for it is the definition of a project that’s...
Read more about $14.4m consultant bill leaves taxpayers taken for a ride on the SS ShamblesPosted in NEWS by NZTU Media | May 4, 2026
The 2026 Ratepayers’ Report – the local council league tables – shows that among New Zealand’s biggest urban councils, staffing costs have become a major burden on households. While Auckland runs the country’s largest council machine in absolute terms, three other councils stand out for punishingly...
Read more about Council Payroll Blowout: Big Five Spend $1.3 Billion on StaffPosted in NEWS by NZTU Media | April 23, 2026
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through an Official Information Act requestthat $161,985.55 of taxpayer funding has been used to subsidise insulation upgrades in Summerset's privately-run Wanganui and Havelock North retirement villages.The funding was provided through the Warmer Kiwi Homes programme, with payments...
Read more about REVEALED: $160,000 in Corporate Welfare Upgrades for Private Retirement VillagesPosted in NEWS by NZTU Media | April 2, 2026
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act request that Selwyn District Council is spending $27,186 a year on media monitoring.The service, provided by STREEM, tracks mentions of the council across print, online news, television, radio,...
Read more about REVEALED: Selwyn Council’s $30k Self-Monitoring SubscriptionPosted 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 PAPERS & BRIEFINGS by NZTU Media | March 30, 2026
The Taxpayers’ Union has today released Fiscal Reality Check: The Reckoning in Numbers, exposing the scale of New Zealand’s deteriorating finances and the mounting pressure on Kiwi households.The report highlights soaring debt, no surplus this decade, rising interest costs, and weakening economic growth, now compounded...
Read more about NEW PAPER: Fiscal Reality Check: The Reckoning in NumbersPosted in NEWS by NZTU Media | March 26, 2026
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal further details through a Local Government Official Information and Meeting Act request that shows Whanganui District Councils rebranding work cost $116,899.12, which is $55,099 higher than the $61,800 figure initially presented to ratepayers.Officials have also justified the...
Read more about Whanganui Council Misleads Ratepayers With $120,000 Rebrand