REVEALED: Te Puni Kōkiri’s $91,000 Bill for Backpacks, Beanies, and Branding

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through an Official Information Act request that Te Puni Kōkiri spent $91,086.50 in 2023/24 on branded merchandise, clothing, and lanyards.

Documents show:

• $52,355.21 on branded merchandise including umbrellas, sunglasses, drink bottles, beach blankets, and tote bags
• $38,219.77 was spent on branded clothing such as wool jackets, polo shirts, and cardigans
• $511.52 went on custom lanyards

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:

“While families have been struggling and cutting back on household spending, Te Puni Kōkiri spent thousands on backpacks, lanyards, and umbrellas.”

“The Ministry of Māori Development exists to promote the wellbeing of Māori, not to splash out on full-scale branding exercises.”

“When departments start spending on non-essentials, it’s a clear sign their budgets are too big and need to be cut back.”

“Taxpayers’ dollars should be going toward frontline services or paying down debt, not freebie swag that ends up in storage cupboards, staff wardrobes, or giveaways.”