Taxpayers Union Stories

Kiwi Stories

Taxpayers Union stories

Should rates be based solely on land value?

Rates on homes and developments could fall under a land-value system, as the idea wins backing from Greens and the Taxpayers’ Union.

By Staff Writer • 5 min read • Wed, 23rd Jul 2025

Apps

Taxpayers' Union slams NZ Police's Virtual Cop app

NZ Police's £634k VR recruitment app, Virtual Cop, prompts outrage from the Taxpayers' Union due to unclear usage metrics and doubts over its impact.

By Shannon Williams • 3 min read • Wed, 3rd Jan 2024

Agricultural Technology

Campaign launched against ‘undemocratic’ RMA reform

Critics say the reform could lift housing and infrastructure costs by stripping councils of planning powers and deepening court battles.

By Staff Writer • 8 min read • Fri, 12th May 2023

Auckland Council

Call for independent review into Auckland supercity amalgamation

Auckland ratepayers are facing renewed scrutiny of amalgamation as critics say bigger councils bring higher costs, weaker oversight and less local control.

By Staff Writer • 2 min read • Thu, 16th Mar 2023

Labour Party

Classic Joyce: Labour scolds Govt's 'culture of extravagance'

Labour Party criticizes Steven Joyce for spending $200,000 on an app downloaded only 1000 times. Party calls it a waste of taxpayer money.

By Shannon Williams • 3 min read • Mon, 22nd Feb 2016

Cloud Services

Ministry's $600,000 website slammed

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment under fire for spending $559,872 on new website, says Taxpayers' Union.

By Shannon Williams • 2 min read • Mon, 24th Aug 2015

Global Stories

Taxpayers Union stories

Government

Local Govt NZ: 12-months rates freeze misguided during COVID-19 pandemic

The request from the Taxpayers' Union to implement a 12-month rates freeze is misguided and has the potential to put the brakes on economic recovery.

By Shannon Williams • 3 min read • Wed, 25th Mar 2020

Cloud Services

Taxpayers' Union slams Christchurch City Council $1.2 million website

Taxpayers' Union slams Christchurch City Council for spending $1.2m on website upgrade instead of rebuild effort.

By Shannon Williams • 1 min read • Wed, 29th Jul 2015