In response to new figures showing alcohol consumption has fallen to record lows, Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said: “As consumption is falling sharply, particularly among young people, the Government must reassess whether current excise rates can still be justified.”“With drinking at record lows and the hospitality sector already being...
Responding to Labour leader Chris Hipkins’ pledge to extend the living wage to all state sector workers, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Analyst Austin Ellingham-Banks said:“Labour wants to pile another cost onto an already-bloated public-sector wage bill. Higher payroll costs have to be paid for through higher taxes, fewer jobs offered, or...
The Taxpayers’ Union is questioning Horowhenua District Council’s decision to give iwi and hapū first right of refusal over six council-owned Oxford Street properties.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tyler Groenewald said:“These properties were bought using $2 million of taxpayer-funded Better Off grants. When they are sold, the council’s job should be to get the...
Responding to the Reserve Bank’s decision to raise the Official Cash Rate by 25 basis points to 2.75 percent, Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“Another OCR hike is a reminder that governments cannot spend their way to prosperity. Excessive government spending helped fuel inflation, and taxpayers are still paying the...
After promising to answer questions by the end of Monday, Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche has still not addressed basic questions about his controversial decision to keep the Parliamentary liar Nic Blakeley as the boss at MBIE.Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams said, “In an email on Friday Sir...
The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming OSPRI’s levy hike on farmers to fund a new National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) system.Taxpayers’ Union Investigative Lead, Rhys Hurley, said:“Farmers already have to wrestle with a notoriously difficult system, riddled with stories of its failures over the years. Now they’re being whacked with...
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The Taxpayers’ Union is encouraging political and government insiders to ‘dob in’ examples of government waste and extravagance. Experience of taxpayer groups overseas suggests that many of the best tips come from within government, particularly bureaucrats frustrated with waste and inefficiency.
Cap rates. Cut waste. Respect ratepayers. Rates are out of control. The average rates bill has increased more than 43 percent since 2022 The UK and Australia have ALREADY INTRODUCED capped rates. It’s time for New Zealand to do the same
The Government have proposed to take billions of dollars' worth of drinking water, waste water, and storm water assets off the hands of local councils and put them under the control of four new unelected, co-governed entities. These reforms must be scrapped.
In 2025, we are releasing a series of briefing papers outlining what the Government needs to do so they can "Go for Growth". We'll be sharing a series of tax policy ideas and savings that will boost our economy. Economic growth isn't the silver bullet to all New Zealand's problems, but it comes close! Only with growth can we afford world class public services, to...
We are New Zealanders who have formed a union to stand up for hardworking New Zealand taxpayers. We represent the common interests of all taxpayers and aim to become New Zealand's largest union.
We are not a political party, and we don't represent big business or special interests. Joining the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union only takes a few minutes and costs $25. Membership entitles you to attend our annual conference, AGM and other events, and to get regular communications from the Taxpayers' Union.
We rely on people just like you to support and donate to our cause to fight government waste. Our annual operating budget is currently smaller than the smallest trade union.
The Taxpayers' Union stands for value for money for government spending. We want our politicians spending money as if they'd worked as hard the taxpayers who earned it and argue that new taxes should only be introduced when there are equal decreases in other taxes. We believe in a fair and efficient tax system. We are not a political party, nor are we aligned to any.
We promote sensible restraint of government expenditure by:
Joining the Taxpayers' Union costs only $25 and entitles you to attend our annual conference, AGM and other events.
With your support we can make the Taxpayers' Union a strong voice exposing waste and standing up for Kiwi taxpayers.
Often the best information comes from those inside the public service or local government. We guarantee your anonymity and your privacy.
