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Hi Friend,

With Budget over, our heads are down working to launch our next campaigns fighting for Lower Taxes, Less Waste, and More Accountability in the coming weeks. First and foremost: tackling the costs of local government, and demanding more transparency.

In this week's edition, we expose the 14-year "temp" at IRD, dig up a $100,000 ratepayer-funded dinosaur in Taupō (no, that's not a metaphor), and highlight our first Generation Screwed training retreat. 

But before we dive in, let's recap the most important event of the year for taxpayers... 

The 2025 "fudge-it" Budget 💳🫠

In case you missed it, these were our thoughts from inside the Budget 2025 lock-up. <[link removed]>

In short, Budget 2025 could have been delivered by Labour's Grant Robertson. Marketed as a 'growth budget', we were promised three things: tackle overspending, get on top of the deficit, and go for growth.

Instead, spending continues to explode, the forecast debt trajectory is worse, and apparently, 'Going for Growth' amounts to just [checks notes] one percent extra GDP – over 20 years!

You know it's bad when Red Radio New Zealand asks Jordan onto Morning Report and gives the Taxpayers' Union a fair airing. Have a listen. <[link removed]> 👇

<[link removed]>

A mea culpa from us... 🫢

As part of our Budget update from the Beehive Lock-up on Thursday, we said that Treasury forecast interest costs this year alone would amount to $9.5 billion, or "$467 for every Kiwi household".

A couple of our more eagle-eyed supporters were quick to correct our typo, pointing out that $9.5 billion doesn't equal $467 per household, but rather $4,670! Jordan missed the zero! 

Fair to say we gave him the weekly wooden spoon award for the screw-up. 

On the brighter side ☀️📈

Before you say we're too doom-and-gloom (or too hard on Nicola Willis), we're not total naysayers. There are some good initiatives in the Budget.

Here are four initiatives that, whilst not necessarily popular, are needed to get the books back into shape: 

1. Reducing the taxpayer contribution to KiwiSaver

The economic literature is really clear on this: government subsidies to Kiwisaver don't actually serve to increase overall savings rates. Instead, they tend to shift money that people would save through other schemes into KiwiSaver. That would suggest it is a poor use of taxpayer money (the whole justification for the subsidy is to, apparently, encourage savings).  It would be far better to cut the taxes on portfolio investments, regardless of whether it's Kiwisaver or another scheme.

2. Stopping 18 and 19 year olds from getting benefits, when family support is available

This is a no brainer. We all know a family who can't get their kid, sorry, young adult, off the couch!

For some reason, though, this policy isn't coming into effect until 2027!

3. The Investment Boost programme

This allows businesses to deduct 20 percent of the value of new assets in the year of purchase.  It's great policy and a big step in the right direction – but only 20 percent as good as the big growth kahuna: full capital expensing <[link removed]> 😍

4. Doctors' prescriptions will be extended up to one year

Again, no brainer. Everyone knows the feeling of having to go to (and pay for) the doctor for a two minute visit for a repeat script.

The alternative: The Greens want to tax you haaaaaard 🟢

Meanwhile, the Greens have released their 'alternative budget'. <[link removed]> Incredibly, they didn't invite us to their lock up (!!!), but it was still a timely reminder that things can always be worse. 😳

Chlöe Swarbrick, Marama Davidson and co would have had us all paying death taxes, wealth taxes, trust taxes, company tax increases, income tax increases... you get the picture.



They say we need another $22 billion per year in tax-and-spend (that's $10,817 per household!). Haven’t we tried that already?

When Labour took office in 2017, government spending was $76 billion. By the time they were voted out in 2023, that number had ballooned to $138 billion.

And what did we get for it? Do you want more of it?

If that much extra spending didn’t solve the problems last time, what makes anyone think throwing another $22 billion at it now will do the trick?

Ever wondered what goes through Chlöe's clouds? 💨

In case you're not an avid social media type and missed this. 🤣🤣🤣  The marvels of modern technology... <[link removed]>

<[link removed]>

The 14-year "Temp" 🤦‍♂️

Thanks to some nifty OIA work, our Investigations Team have uncovered that IRD has been paying one so-called “temp” for 13 years and 11 months. All at contractor rates!



And it doesn’t stop there.In just the past five years, IRD has shelled out $20.8 million on 12 long-term contractors <[link removed]>.One team alone burned through $12.4 million on seven of them.

This is happening despite Finance Minister Nicola Willis directing departments to rein in consultancy spending.Clearly, IRD didn’t get the memo - or chose to ignore it.

We say, if a role is vital, hire for it. Unless something is temporary (i.e. not 14 years), contractors seldom offer better value for taxpayers.





























Rates-a-saurus Rex spotted in Taupō 🦖

Taupō District Council’s latest expense, sorry, "artwork", aptly named "Boom Boom", was unveiled last week. A steel "blow-up-style" dinosaur cost local ratepayers a cool $100,000 <[link removed]>. 

Proposed back in 2018, when crime, the cost of living, and parking weren’t as pressing problems, it’s only fair to wonder: should this dinosaur have stayed extinct?




The statue arrives alongside an eight percent rates increase this year. Boom Boom goes the Council's budget.

Investing in the next generation of taxpayer heroes 🦸

Our "Generation Screwed" activists 🪧✌️

While this year’s Budget won’t save New Zealand, the efforts of Generation Screwed will.

Last week, the Taxpayers’ Union brought together students from five universities for the first annual Generation Screwed training retreat.

Generation Screwed is for leaders of tomorrow who share our passion for building a more fiscally sustainable and prosperous New Zealand.



Our bright young leaders debated the big issues facing their generation, particularly the mounting debt burden they stand to inherit, explored barriers to New Zealand's growth, and how to effectively influence decision makers and policy. 🤞

From "Campaign Planning 101" to media training and workshops on effective messaging, we're doing what traditionally only far-left unions and environmental groups have done in New Zealand: investing in young people.

Big shout to our guest speakers/workshop leads, Dr Eric Crampton (the Chief Economist at the NZ Initiative) and David Farrar (our former Board Member/Co-founder) and the half a dozen extra-special donors who specifically underwrote the travel costs / made the event possible. 🙏 

If you, or someone you know, is a student who shares our vision of a prosperous, low-tax New Zealand with efficient, transparent and democratically accountable government, email our Generation Screwed Coordinator, Alex Emes <mailto:[email protected]>.

Thanks for your support Friend,





























<[link removed]>


James Ross
Policy & Public Affairs Manager
New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union

In the Media:

RNZ MPs may receive KiwiSaver contributions up to 20 percent <[link removed]>

RNZMPs urged to 'lead by example' and trim superannuation subsidy <[link removed]>

The Post Jordan Williams: Government undermining our reputation as a safe place for business <[link removed]>

NZ HeraldCouncil rates are the tax we love to hate <[link removed]>

Newstalk ZBNews Fix Morning Edition 24 May 2025 <[link removed]>

Greymouth StarMayors baulk at call for rates cap <[link removed]>

StuffThe everyday New Zealanders who will lose out on Budget 2025 <[link removed]>

Three Gals One BeehiveBudget Tingles <[link removed]>

Newstalk ZBNews Fix Afternoon Edition 23 May 2025 <[link removed]>

The PlatformJames Ross On Why 18-Year_Olds Shouldn't Automatically Get The Benefit <[link removed]>

Newstalk ZB ZB On Demand: 23 May, 11am <[link removed]>

Not PCA coward's budget <[link removed]>

RNZ Morning Report: Taxpayers' Union slam government's Budget <[link removed]>

RNZMorning Report: Finance Minister frames Budget as 'responsible' with something in it for everyone <[link removed]>

The PlatformEconomic Commentator Craig Stobo Breaks Down Budget 2025 <[link removed]>

Newstalk ZB Budget 2025: Jason Walls and Brad Olsen unpack 'The Switch It Budget' <[link removed]>

RNZFirst Up - The Podcast, Friday 23 May <[link removed]>

Newstalk ZB Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast 22 May 2025 <[link removed]>

ReNews No benefit if your parents can pay: Eligibility limits for 18 and 19 year olds <[link removed]>

The Press Winners and losers of Budget 2025: Economists give their verdict <[link removed]>

Croaking Cassandra The (deeply underwhelming) Budget <[link removed]>

Not PC Superannuation: Raise the age! <[link removed]>

RNZ Morning Report: Taxpayers' Union on hopes for Budget <[link removed]>

King Country News District's kiwi leaves the nest <[link removed]>

PolitikThe coalition's future goes on the line today <[link removed]>

Otago Daily Times Taxpayers' Union has stark message <[link removed]’-union-has-stark-message>

Newstalk ZB Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive full Show Podcast 20 May 2025 <[link removed]>

Newstalk ZB Beehive Buzz: Jason Walls previews this week's budget <[link removed]>

Stuff 'Addiction to spending': $40k car park murals latest council cost questioned by ratepayers <[link removed]>

Newstalk ZB Stuart Nash & Jordan Williams: What does the budget need to deliver <[link removed]>

KiwiBlog A good win for solidarity <[link removed]>

Interest.co.nz Despite talking up difficult choices, Nicola Willis is finding funding for some nice-to-have budget items as she directs a cinematic reshuffle of Government spending <[link removed]>

Hawke's Bay Today Budget 2025: The case for full expensing of capital expenditure <[link removed]>

Three Gals One Beehive C-bombs, suspensions, and private jets <[link removed]>

Newstalk ZB Jason Walls on Nicola Willis' million dollar pledge for film subsidies and the ACC minister questioning ACC's role in sexual abuse compensation <[link removed]>

The Westport News Taxpayers' Union wants less spending <[link removed]>

Newstalk ZB Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast 15 May 2025 <[link removed]>

The Platform Oliver Hartwich Breaks Down the Green Party's Alternative Budget <[link removed]>

The Platform Finance Minister Nicola Willis on the Priorities Behind Budget 2025 <[link removed]>

Newstalk ZB Jason Walls on Speaker Gerry Brownlee labelling proposed sanctions on Te Pāti Māori 'severe' <[link removed]>

NZ Herald Treasury buckles to pressure and gives the Council of Trade Unions and other groups accreditation to attend the Budget lock up <[link removed]>

RNZ The Panel with Zoe George and David Farrar <[link removed]>

Greymouth Star 'Debt Clock' checks in <[link removed]>

The PressTreasury reverses restriction on Budget lock-up <[link removed]>

Newstalk ZBHeather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast 14 May 2025 <[link removed]> <[link removed]>

KiwiBlogAn appalling decision by Treasury <[link removed]>

Farmers Weekly Ratepayers bear the high cost of bureaucratic bloat <[link removed]>

ThePlatformJordan Williams on the Taxpayers' Union's Exclusion from the Budget Lock Up <[link removed]>



New Zealand Taxpayers' Union Inc. · 117 Lambton Quay, Level 4, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
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