The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling on Local Government Minister Simon Watts to ensure ratepayers have a seat at the table as the Government considers council mergers.Taxpayers’ Union spokeswoman, Ella Dickson, said:“Telling councils to redesign themselves without ratepayer representation is like asking foxes to redesign the henhouse – the...
Responding to Chris Hipkins defending MPs’ retirement perks as anti-corruption measures, Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“Chris Hipkins seems to think taxpayers need to pay $2.50 for every dollar an MP puts into their retirement fund just to stop politicians becoming corrupt. That is an extraordinary admission."“If Hipkins thinks MPs...
The organisation behind the failed $29 million MethaneSAT mission should not be allowed to review its own performance, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson, Ella Dickson, says:“When $29 million of taxpayer funding is literally lost in space, taxpayers deserve a genuinely independent investigation. The Environmental Defense Fund cannot...
The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on every political party leader to commit to ending Parliament’s gold-plated superannuation scheme and cleaning up MPs’ taxpayer-funded entitlements, following revelations in the New Zealand Herald that MPs’ generous superannuation arrangements escaped earlier efforts to rein them in.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“MPs have managed to protect...
The Taxpayers' Union says Christchurch Council's $200,000 spend on decorative lighting and a mural is a textbook example of why the Government must implement a rates cap now.Taxpayers' Union spokesperson Tyler Groenewald said:"Even when the Council had the option of a cheaper project or making savings, it still chose to dip into ratepayers'...
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that Health New Zealand paid Russell Harrison to appear in a taxpayer-funded childhood immunisation campaign in 2023 while he remained on taxpayer-funded gardening leave from the Ministry of Justice.The advertisement has now been removed by Health NZ following questions from the Taxpayers’ Union...
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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.
