Taxpayer Talk

This week on Taxpayer Talk is another episode in our MPs in Depth podcast series where we get to know Parliament's new MPs. In this episode, Connor sat down with National Party MP, Mike Butterick. Mike, a farmer and farming advocate, was elected as the MP for Wairarapa in the 2023 General Election. He has previously been involved with Federated Farmers and was the spokesperson for 50 Shades of Green, a lobby group addressing forestry encroachment on farmland. Mike is also active in community organisations, including serving as a director of Wings over Wairarapa. Passionate about education, his constituents, and the rural sector, Mike advocates strongly for local, community-led solutions to various issues.Mike's maiden speech can be watched here. Follow Mike on Facebook here.To support Taxpayer Talk, click hereIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, feel free to email podcast@taxpayers.org.nz Support the show

This week on Taxpayer Talk is another episode in our MPs in Depth podcast series where we get to know Parliament's new MPs. In this episode, Connor sat down with ACT Party MP, Andrew Hoggard. Andrew is a Manawatu farmer, has an Agricultural Economics degree and, prior to entering Parliament, was the President of Federated Farmers. Andrew has stepped straight into the role as Minister for both Biosecurity and Food Safety along with a number of associate portfolios. In this interview, Andrew discusses his life before politics, the issues he sees facing rural New Zealand and gives an insight into his experiences working in Canada where the dairy sector operates very differently with significant government control and intervention. Andrew's maiden speech can be watched here. Follow Andrew on Facebook here.To support Taxpayer Talk, click hereIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, feel free to email podcast@taxpayers.org.nz Support the show

This week on Taxpayer Talk is another episode in our MPs in Depth podcast series where we get to know Parliament's new MPs. In this episode, Jordan sat down with National Party MP for Whanganui, Carl Bates. Carl joined the Young Nats aged just 12 and less than 30 years later was elected to Parliament as a National MP. Prior to entering politics, Carl had an interesting and successful career from an incredibly young age. Aged just 18, he was appointed as an independent director at an aged care facility and at 22 was appointed as the acting chief executive of Quality Health New Zealand, managing to turn the failing organisation around. Carl is a chartered accountant, he also started his own professional services firm and served on a director and chairman on a range of small and large companies both in New Zealand and internationally.Carl's maiden speech can be watched here. Follow Carl on Facebook here.To support Taxpayer Talk, click hereIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, feel free to email podcast@taxpayers.org.nz Support the show

This week's Taxpayer Talk presents another installment of our "MPs in Depth" podcast series, delving into the backgrounds of Parliament's newest members. In this episode, Jordan sits down with Cameron Luxton, the recently elected ACT Party MP.Cameron Luxton is unique in that he is New Zealand's only Licensed Building Practitioner ever elected to Parliament. Prior to his political career, Luxton worked as both a builder and a dairy farmer. He shares with Jordan his personal journey, recounting his challenges in school and eventual breakthrough, spurred by a teacher and environment that diverged from the traditional, one-size-fits-all approach to education.It's evident that Luxton's passions lie in advocating for charter schools and addressing the housing crisis. He articulates how the closure of charter schools served as a catalyst for his entry into politics, highlighting his commitment to tackling pressing issues facing New Zealand.Cameron's maiden speech can be watched here. Follow Cameron on Facebook here.To support Taxpayer Talk, click hereIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, feel free to email podcast@taxpayers.org.nz Support the show

This week on Taxpayer Talk is another episode in our MPs in Depth podcast series where we get to know Parliament's new MPs. In this episode, Ollie sat down with National Party MP for Tukituki, Catherine Wedd. Catherine speaks about as a kid wanting to be a lawyer, journalist and a politician, something she now describes as "perhaps the three most unpopular professions of this century" – but at the election last year was able to fill the third leg of that dream. Catherine has also worked in horticulture and been a director on the New Zealand Apples and Pears Board. Along with discussing her career before politics, Ollie and Catherine discuss her political ideology, the Public Interest Journalism Fund and which Labour Party policy she secretly admires. Catherine's maiden speech can be watched here. Follow Catherine on Facebook here.To support Taxpayer Talk, click hereIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, feel free to email podcast@taxpayers.org.nz Support the show

This week on Taxpayer Talk is another episode in our MPs in Depth podcast series where we get to know Parliament's new MPs. In this episode, Ollie sat down with ACT Party MP Laura Trask. Laura is one of eleven ACT MPs elected at the 2023 General Election. Prior to entering Parliament, Laura worked as a pharmacy technician and in the health and safety industry. Trask discusses her career in helping people navigate bureaucratic red tape and her desire to make it easier for people to live their lives and do business. She also highlights the often 'unintended winners' from regulation, namely big businesses who benefit from higher costs and barriers to entry leading to reduced competition from smaller players. Laura's maiden speech can be watched here. Follow Laura on Facebook here. To support Taxpayer Talk, click here If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, feel free to email podcast@taxpayers.org.nz Support the show

This week on Taxpayer Talk is another episode in our MPs in Depth podcast series where we get to know Parliament's new MPs. In this episode, Ollie sat down with newly elected National Party MP, Dr Vanessa Weenink. Vanessa details her life before politics including her time working as a doctor, being in the Army for more than 20 years, and even previously being a Labour Party member and helping with a local campaign.Vanessa's maiden speech can be watched here. Follow Vanessa on Facebook here.To support Taxpayer Talk, click hereIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, feel free to email podcast@taxpayers.org.nz Support the show

This week on Taxpayer Talk is another episode in our MPs in Depth podcast series where we get to know Parliament's new MPs. In this episode, Jordan sat down with newly re-elected National Party MP, Dan Bidois. Dan first became an MP after winning the 2018 Northcote by-election before losing the seat to the red tide of 2020. Now Dan is back in Parliament after reclaiming his seat and speaks with Jordan about his life before politics being a school dropout, a butcher and fighting cancer before deciding to study economics. Dan has had an interesting life and it is clear the challenges he has faced have shaped him into the person he is today.Dan's maiden speech can be watched here. Follow Dan on Facebook here.To support Taxpayer Talk, click hereIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, feel free to email podcast@taxpayers.org.nz Support the show

This week on Taxpayer Talk is another episode in our MPs in Depth podcast series where we get to know Parliament's new MPs. In this episode, Jordan sat down with newly elected National Party MP, Greg Fleming. Greg tells us about his journey into politics and how he formed his political ideology, starting with an egg business at age nine and eventually leading to his founding of the Maxim Institute think tank. This podcast gives a fascinating insight into what makes Greg tick and is well worth a listen. Greg's maiden speech can be watched here. Follow Greg on Facebook here.To support Taxpayer Talk, click hereIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, feel free to email podcast@taxpayers.org.nz  Support the show

This episode of Taxpayer Talk is slightly different as it is a recording of a fantastic speech given by Lord Hannan at the Taxpayers' Union's 10th Birthday at Gibbs Farm.Lord Hannan is a member of the House of Lords and former member of the European Parliament. He is an advisor to the UK Board of Trade and is President of the Institute for Free Trade.In his speech, Lord Hannan discusses the Treaty of Waitangi as New Zealand's founding document and how ahead of its time it was in promoting equality before the law and protecting property rights. To support Taxpayer Talk, click hereIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, feel free to email podcast@taxpayers.org.nz Support the show

This week marks the return of our MPs in Depth series where we get to know some of Parliament's new MPs. In this episode, Taxpayers' Union  Investigations Co-ordinator, Oliver Bryan, sits down with newly elected ACT Party MP, Todd Stephenson. Todd grew up in the South Island and obtained a law degree from the University of Otago. Prior to becoming an MP, Todd worked in the pharmaceutical industry in Australia before moving back to New Zealand to run for Parliament. Throughout the episode, we find out a bit more about what drives Todd, his aspirations as an MP and his personal interests. Support the show

This week on Taxpayer Talk, Taxpayers' Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, sits down with lawyer Stephen Franks to provide an update on the Three Waters legal challenge. Stephen is a founding director of the commercial and public law firm Franks Ogilvie, a former member of Parliament and spokesperson for the Water Users' Group.Franks Ogilvie has been leading the legal challenge against Three Waters that, among other things, aimed to force the Minister of Local Government, Nanaia Mahuta, to release her legal advice that co-governance of Three Waters infrastructure was required under the Treaty of Waitangi. Unfortunately, this challenge was unsuccessful and was appealed to the Court of Appeal where the challenge was again dismissed. We have decided to drop the case in order to focus our resources and efforts on developing a repeal and replacement bill for Three Waters.The Local Water Infrastructure Bill that we have been developing addresses the infrastructure issues that were used as the justification for Three Waters but without the co-governance, seizure of local assets and other numerous problems in the Three Waters legislation. You can read about our Local Water Infrastructure Bill here. The Court of Appeal judgment can be read here.To support Taxpayer Talk, click hereSupport the show

This week on Taxpayer Talk, Taxpayers' Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, sits down with the Executive Director of The New Zealand Initiative, Dr Oliver Hartwich, to discuss how the incoming Government should reform the public service. Despite a mandate for change and a desire to unwind many of the policies of the previous Government, the new National-led government may face challenges with navigating the complex and bloated bureaucracy of the public service – something that may prove to be a roadblock to much-needed reform. In the podcast, Dr Hartwich discusses a range of potential ways to make the public service function better under the new Government ranging from bringing forward the retirement of the Public Service Commissioner, to bringing the Commissioner under direct ministerial oversight as part of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, to establishing ministers' offices in the relevant government departments rather than in the Beehive. Before joining the New Zealand Initiative, Dr Hartwich was a Research Fellow at the Centre for Independent Studies in Sydney, the Chief Economist at Policy Exchange in London, and an advisor in the UK House of Lords. Dr Hartwich holds a Master’s degree in Economics and Business administration and a PhD in Law from Bochum University in Germany.The New Zealand Initiative is a think tank with a mission to help create a competitive, open and dynamic economy and a free, prosperous, fair, and cohesive society. You can find more about them and their work on their website here.To support Taxpayer Talk, click hereIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, feel free to email podcast@taxpayers.org.nz Support the show

This week on Taxpayer Talk, Taxpayers' Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, sits down with economist Michael Reddell. Michael is a former Head of Financial Markets at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, has worked for central banks of a number of other countries and has been an Alternate Executive Director on the Board of the International Monetary Fund.Michael has recently been raising concerns around the seemingly declining standards in New Zealand public life. Whether it be Ministers (or their appointees) lying to the public, government contracts going to Ministers’ family members or undisclosed shareholdings, Michael is concerned that these instances of inappropriate (or at least perceived as being inappropriate) behaviour are becoming increasingly excused, justified or ignored by politicians and the media. Also discussed in the podcast is Michael’s concerns around the ease with which politicians have been able to quickly move into highly-paid private sector positions, particularly those in sectors where the Government has a significant influence on their success such as banking. Michael points to the recent example of Sir John Key, the Chairman of New Zealand’s largest bank, who was also involved in the National Party election campaign. While he does not say that anyone has acted dishonourably, Mr Reddell says that, for the sake of public trust and integrity, we need systems and processes in place that let the public have confidence that people are behaving appropriately, especially when politicians may be potentially making significant decisions around regulation, or taxpayer-funded bailouts if things go wrong.Michael's blog, Croaking Cassandra, can be read here.To support Taxpayer Talk, click hereIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, feel free to email podcast@taxpayers.org.nz Support the show

This week on Taxpayer Talk, Taxpayers' Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, sits down with Dr Don Brash to discuss Labour’s proposal to remove GST from fruit and vegetables.Dr Brash chaired the advisory committee that designed New Zealand’s GST system back in 1985 and has a strong understanding of what makes a simple, efficient tax system. Don has also been Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, the leader of both the National and ACT parties, and is currently the spokesperson for Hobson’s Pledge.New Zealand’s GST system is widely accepted by economists as the best in the world, however many politicians over the years have campaigned to break it by creating exemptions. Creating exemptions polls well in focus groups but, as Don explains, the reality is that these exemptions create extra cost and complexity for very little gain.Later in the podcast, the pair discuss solutions for New Zealand’s productivity crisis and what we should be doing to catch up with Australia. To support Taxpayer Talk, click hereSupport the show

A radical set of new anti-smoking measures is set to bring New Zealand close to a de facto prohibition on smoking. But with the black market rearing its head, what is the real cost of this crackdown for taxpayers, businesses and the economy?A major new analysis of Ayesha Verrall's Smoked Tobacco Amendment outlines $1.3 billion in new costs, and argues the legislation is "largely, if not entirely, redundant".This week on Taxpayer Talk, Taxpayers' Union spokesman for lifestyle economics Louis Houlbrooke is joined by Phil Barry, a director of TDB Advisory who worked with Infometrics to produce the new report.You can read the full analysis of the Smoked Tobacco Amendment here. To support Taxpayer Talk, click here.Support the show

This week on Taxpayer Talk, Taxpayers' Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, sits down with Casey Costello, a former chair and board member of the Taxpayers’ Union who recently resigned in order to stand as a candidate for New Zealand First in this year's election. Casey has had a successful career in the police force, running her own business and as the spokesperson for Hobson’s Pledge. Jordan and Casey discuss how Casey got involved in the Taxpayers’ Union including her time as a board member and chairperson and some of the key battles that have been fought along the way.Finally, Jordan quizzes Casey as to why she joined New Zealand First and what she envisions for the country should she be successful at this year's election. To support Taxpayer Talk, click hereIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, feel free to email podcast@taxpayers.org.nz Support the show

This week on Taxpayer Talk, Taxpayers' Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, sits down with National Party Police Spokesperson, Mark Mitchell, to discuss National’s plan for law and order if they are successful in the election later this year. Prior to entering Parliament, Mark was a police officer and was a member of the Dog Section and Armed Offender’s Squad. He has also had an international business career, including the start-up of his own company specialising in hostage rescue, supply chain security, and risk management. He has also worked in emergency response providing humanitarian support overseas. Mark is also National’s spokesperson for the Serious Fraud Office, Counter-Terrorism and Corrections.Jordan and Mark discuss the increasing levels of crime in New Zealand, gang numbers, and what the National Party would do should they be in Government after the election.Also discussed is the new firearms registry, whether it will make the country more safe and if it is worth the significant establishment costs. To support Taxpayer Talk, click hereIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, feel free to email podcast@taxpayers.org.nz Support the show

This week on Taxpayer Talk, Taxpayers' Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, sits down with Malcolm Alexander and Stephen Franks to discuss the bill that the Taxpayers' Union commissioned to repeal and replace the Government’s Three Waters scheme.The development of the bill, along with detailed drafting of key provisions, has been a months-long project carried out by the law firm Franks Ogilvie.Malcolm Alexander has a background in local government, infrastructure, consulting and law and is the former Chief Executive of Local Government New Zealand. Malcolm chaired the expert Technical Advisory Group that provided guidance for and scrutiny of the Bill drafting process. Stephen Franks is the Director of Franks Ogilvie Commercial and Public Law and has been working alongside an experienced former Parliamentary Drafter in drafting the Bill to replace Three Waters. The Government’s Three Waters proposals would lead to higher water costs, no local control, more bureaucracy, and less democracy. The Bill project is intended to set out a substantive, workable alternative water infrastructure reform programme that addresses these concerns while fixing the problems councils currently face managing their water infrastructure. To support Taxpayer Talk, click hereSupport the show

This week on Taxpayer Talk, Taxpayers' Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, sits down with Taxpayers’ Union co-founder, pollster and blogger, David Farrar to discuss how polling works along with his time at the Taxpayers’ Union and why he is stepping down. David founded Curia Market Research, a polling company, in 2004 and has had decades of experience organising, conducting and analysing polls. In this podcast, David answers some of the most common questions we get about how polling works and what makes a poll reliable. Also in the podcast is the story of how David came to be a pollster in the first place, his early successes and the eventual rise to being the National Party’s pollster of choice. Having provided polling services to three New Zealand Prime Ministers, and four Opposition Leaders, John Key famously described Farrar as “the best pollster in New Zealand”. Unfortunately, after almost ten years since forming the Union, David has decided it is time to resign as a board member. Jordan asks the obvious question: “where to from here?” To support Taxpayer Talk, click hereIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, feel free to email podcast@taxpayers.org.nzSupport the show