Dear Friend,

It's now been 10 years since Jordan and I set up the Taxpayers' Union from borrowed offices, a shoe string budget, and a passion for fighting a good cause.

We were fed up seeing the scores of lobby groups arguing for ever more government spending for their particular pet projects and decided to do something about it. The Taxpayers' Union was born to stand up for the people who pay for it all: you, the taxpayer.

And in the ten years since, we have grown exponentially to become a real grassroots movement. Despite all the claims made by the left, last year we grew to more than 204,000 New Zealanders subscribed as supporters to our message of lower taxes, less waste, and more accountability. Despite our relative youth, on a per capita basis that makes us the largest taxpayer advocacy group in the Anglosphere.

Taxpayers' Union @ Ten: the inside story

To commemorate our first ten years, we are today publishing The Mission - The Taxpayers' Union at 10, written by Jim Bolger's biographer, and journalist, David Cohen.

The book interviews the key staffers, volunteers and board members, including former finance minister, Ruth Richardson, and newly minted MP, Casey Costello.

Foreword by Sir Bill English

As is revealed in the book, while Sir Bill English was Minister of Finance – and knew a taxpayer group would be necessarily criticising the government of the day – he was very supportive in the creation and early days of the organisation. So I was delighted when he agreed to write a foreword to the book where he articulates better than I can why the Taxpayers' Union is so vital in our democracy to ensure that government is held to account for its decisions.  

, as a supporter to the Taxpayers' Union, we wanted to give you first dibs on getting your copy of the book. It is only thanks to you that the work of the Taxpayers' Union has been possible.

Based on our expected sales, the price matches the actual cost of producing and couriering the book. Any amounts over and above $39.95 will be treated as a donation.

Thank you Friend

As you read the book, I hope you are as proud as I am what's been achieved in the first ten years. After all, as an early supporter, you've made it all possible.

Now to the next ten years of policy victories...

David Farrar Co-founder New Zealand Taxpayers' Union

PS. The book makes a great Christmas stocking gift for like-minded family, friends or colleagues, who support our mission of lower taxes, less waste and more accountability. Click here to order in time for Christmas.