Latest news with #NewZealandTaxpayers'Union
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Are Our Pints Too Pricey? Tamatha Paul Thinks So
The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union is backing Wellington Central MP Tamatha Paul in calling for cheaper beer, arguing a $5 pint is only possible by cutting alcohol excise taxes. Taxpayers Union spokesman Rhys Hurley said: "The price of a pint has increased by a total of 20.6 percent through excise alone in just four years, before even accounting for inflation." "Not only is this causing further inflation but it is hampering hospitality's recovery from the lows of Covid lockdowns. Many businesses are on their last legs, if they haven't fallen over already." "Instead of trying to slap more taxes and restrictions on the majority who safely consume alcohol, how about properly targeted interventions on those causing harm?" "Paul has obviously seen the damage the tax has done to her electorate and the lack of people able to afford and enjoy a night out. It's time for the government to cut the booze tax and stop punishing people for enjoying themself."
Scoop
21-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Revealed: $218,000 Reo App Free-For-All Across Government
The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union can reveal through Official Information request that seven government departments and councils have spent $218,012 developing their own separate Māori language and cultural training apps despite the existence of a national Māori Language Commission and multiple taxpayer-funded training programmes already in place. Taxpayers' Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said: 'We've got a Māori Language Commission, we've got staff training programmes, we've got online learning tools - so why is every agency now building its own apps?' 'This is a perfect example of bureaucratic duplication. Every department wants its own badge, its own brand, its own slice of the cultural competency pie, all funded by the public purse.' 'Some of these apps cost more than $35,000 and reached fewer than 2,000 people. Waikato Regional Council knew other apps already existed before building its own. That's not helping Māori, it's just self-indulgence.' "With this many apps found via tips alone, imagine how many more exist. A centralised, shared platform for the public service instead of this wasteful agency-by-agency approach is needed." "We don't need seven apps, we just need one that works."
Scoop
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Stop The Secrecy: Whānau Ora Probe Shows Why OIA Must Follow The Money
The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union is calling for immediate legislative reform to bring all 75% taxpayer-funded organisations, including Whānau Ora commissioning agencies, under the Official Information Act (OIA), following a New Zealand Herald investigation into Pasifika Futures and potential conflicts of interest in the distribution of public funds. Taxpayers' Union spokesperson Tory Relf said: 'It's completely unacceptable that taxpayer-funded bodies like Pasifika Futures can distribute millions of dollars with so little public oversight. The people writing the cheques are the same ones setting the rules and the public is locked out of the room.' 'When taxpayers' money is handed out behind closed doors to organisations run by friends and family, the least we should expect is the right to ask: why, how, and who made the decision?' 'If you're spending public money, you must be accountable to the public. That starts with full transparency through being subject to the Official Information Act.' 'If these agencies are confident in their processes, they should have nothing to fear from public scrutiny.' 'It is time for the Government to amend the Official Information Act to cover all organisations receiving substantial public funds and finally bring accountability to the wider public sector.'
Scoop
26-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Revealed: Invercargill Consultant Bill Tops $7.3 Million
The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union can reveal under Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act request that Invercargill City Council spent $7,334,394 on consultants and legal services in just three years. The spending includes fees for everything from strategy consultants and cultural engagement advisers to legal firms and planning experts. Taxpayers' Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, says: 'Ratepayers are forking out over $7 million to consultants while basic council services remain under pressure. When you need a consultant to tell you how to build a playground or put up signage, something has gone very wrong.' 'This is exactly the sort of out-of-control spending that's driving up rates and leaving residents worse off. Too often, councils hide this under the vague label of 'expert advice' but the rates bill ends up in the letterbox of every ratepayer.' 'Consultants don't come cheap but Invercargill ratepayers shouldn't be treated like an ATM every time council wants to outsource its thinking. The Council needs to be forced to focus on core services through rates capping now."
Scoop
24-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Archaeologists Brought In For Wellington's $2.3 Million Light-Up Toilets
A Local Government Official Information Act request made by the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union shows a new toilet block is budgeted to cost ratepayers $2.3 million, which includes costs for a light-up exterior and archaeological work. Taxpayers' Union Local Government Campaigns Manager Sam Warren said: 'How reckless can Wellington Council be? It's unjustifiable to throw this kind of money around, including for archaeological costs, while a record number of locals are being rated out of their own homes.' "This build-at-all-costs approach needs to stop. On top of last year's 16.9 percent rates increase and this year's proposed 12.2 percent increase, we're looking at a cumulative 31 increase to average rates in just two years.' 'It's not hard to see why rates are soaring; Council has clearly lost focus. Toilet blocks don't need a social license, nor a dig find—they need to be delivered well and affordably.' 'Until rates capping laws are introduced, councils across New Zealand will continue to flush this kind of money away. Not enough pressure exists to keep councils on-task and focused, providing only the basics well.'
