Dear Friend,

The economy is in free fall, taxpayers are losing their jobs, and we have Labour/Green/NZ First Government with a ready made excuse to spend more and load debt onto the next generation.

Never before has a voice for fiscal restraint and value-for-money been needed as much as right now. I see that you’ve been following our work for a while, and I’m emailing you today to ask you to consider upgrading your support by becoming a member of the Taxpayers' Union.

As you’ve seen, the lockdown hasn’t stopped our team fighting for rates freezes across the country, and for fair pay cuts for Ministers and the top public sector bosses, who are otherwise totally sheltered from the economic carnage and widespread job losses.

But the big challenge ahead is preventing Jacinda Ardern’s Government using the coming recession as an excuse to lock-in deficit spending and returning our economy to the debt path of the 1970s.

Similarly, we were one of the few voices calling out the Government for its refusal to cancel the 1 April hike of the minimum wage. It defies logic that the Government at the same time it announced the largest package of wage subsides in our nation’s history, was also increasing the price of labour!  

So while the Government will need to spend up to support those who are losing jobs, and help those who are forced to sit at home due to the lockdown, we need to ensure that there is a path back to surplus in the medium term. Had it not been for prudent fiscal management after 2008, we wouldn’t have the room now to fight COVID-19 like we are.

Our voice grows stronger with every member.  Membership is only $25 per year – which is great value for money to ensure there is a voice for taxpayers in the months and years ahead.

Click here to become a member of the Taxpayers’ Union.

Thank you for your support.

Barrie Saunders Chairman New Zealand Taxpayers' Union