Don’t panic, the Taxpayers’ Union is not going anywhere

Before Wellington bureaucrats and local government mandarins pop the champagne or draft obituaries: no, the Taxpayers’ Union is not disappearing.

Yes, members of the Taxpayers' Union are set to vote later this month to confirm the winding up the incorporated society known as the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union Inc.

No, that does not mean we’re shutting down. Quite the opposite.

The change is purely legal and administrative, the result of new requirements under the new Incorporated Societies Act that are better suited to bowling clubs and orchid societies than to a nationwide campaigning machine that exists to ruffle feathers and hold politicians accountable.

Rather than risk being bogged down in bureaucratic process (the irony is not lost on us), members voted unanimously at our AGM in December to transition the organisation into a non-profit company with identical objects: New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union Ltd. Consistent with the legal requirements to wind up a Society, members are expected to vote to confirm the decision in a fortnight.

Same mission.
Same team.
Same campaigns.
Same determination to fight for Lower Taxes, Less Waste, and More Accountability.
Just a different legal wrapper.

Co-founder and Executive Director Jordan Williams says the move ensures the organisation can remain focused on its mission while remaining transparent to the public, and accountable to members and financial supporters.

“We’d much rather spend our time exposing wasteful spending than navigating procedural tripwires designed for organisations that don’t have political opponents. This proposed change keeps us efficient, agile, and focused on fighting for taxpayers.”

The new structure preserves grassroots membership, annual meetings, published accounts, and member voting rights. In fact, members – and the public – will continue to receive financial reporting that is more transparent than political parties ever provide.

The transition follows considered legal analysis and reflects concerns that the new Incorporated Societies framework could be weaponised by hostile interests seeking to distract or disrupt advocacy groups.

Let’s be clear: the Taxpayers’ Union is not retreating. We’re reinforcing.
The campaigns will continue.
The scrutiny will continue.
The media releases will definitely continue.

If anything, this change ensures we can keep punching above our weight without wasting donors’ money on compliance gymnastics.

To those who might have been hoping this was the end: sorry to disappoint.

We’ll see you at the next wasteful spending scandal, and next week's Jonesie Awards.