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Hi Friend,

Friend, you may have seen we took a little trip to the Local Government NZ conference this week…  

RATEPAYER VICTORY on Rates Capping 🥳

Our Big Beautiful Cap Rates Now truck certainly got heads turning at the LGNZ conference, and outside we had Local Government Minister Simon Watts confirm that yes, rates capping would be sorted “by Christmas”.



That means, Friend, the legislation will be in before councils can pre-emptively increase rates to give themselves a higher starting position. We’d call that a resounding victory.

But the fight isn’t over yet 😤

The work isn’t done. New Zealand First said they wouldn’t get involved in local government matters (interestingly, this came after Shane Jones threatened to dissolve all regional councils…), and ACT have said that spending needs to be under control before we can think about rates caps. 

That’s all well and good but there’s simply no incentive to get spending under control if you don’t have the limit on revenue to force councils to cut their cloth to fit the economic reality of ratepayers.

Deputy PM comes out against councils having "general competence" 😘

David Seymour is on our wavelength on most local government-related issues though, including the removal of the power of general competence from councils. <[link removed]>



The power of general competence means local councils can do pretty much anything a person can do — as long as it’s not against the law.

Prior to 2002 (before the change) councils could only do things if a law specifically said councils were empowered to. By definition, removing the power of general competence would legally limited councils to 'core services' and not, saygiving $128,352 to a Māori circus school <[link removed]> (classic Auckland Council...).

Right now, Christopher Luxon and Simon Watts are talking the talk about councils needing to 'focus on core services' but the jury is out on whether they're just jawboning, or will actually make this change to force it.

So what comes next? 🤨

We’ll continue keeping the pressure on the government to improve and pass this legislation. And we’ll be monitoring the local elections closely, launching our ratepayer pledge and voting guides (contingent on funding <[link removed]>! 😬) in the next few weeks – so you can see exactly which candidates are on your side.

And if you want to show that we have support right across the country, we still have Cap Rates Now banners available for our supporters <[link removed]>.

Woke banking regulatory taxes are bck on the menu 💳🤢

Hot on the heels of yet more food price inflation <[link removed]>, the Ministry for the Environment is cooking up a new recipe to harpoon rural finance.



Enter the so-called Sustainable Finance Taxonomy, a soon-to-be-mandatory framework so disconnected from the realities of farming that it could see banks slap higher interest rates on every commercial farmer in New Zealand. Incredibly, the group designing it didn’t include a single farmer.

If it comes into force, farmers wanting a bank loan will have to choose either hitting impossible environmental targets (like cutting emissions-per-hectare by 86 percent for dairy farms) to stay financially viable. It’s just not going to work - unless their goal is solely to drive up prices.

Worse still, this is landing right as Parliament is debating whether to scrap previous ideological banking rules — through both the Banking Inquiry and not one, but two Members’ Bills.

Where’s the democratic accountability if bureaucrats can just sneak in new rules behind Parliament’s back? We say: scrap the taxonomy, and let farmers farm. Read James’ submission here. <[link removed]>

New Plymouth councillors caught skipping work 🫵🐕



Our latest investigation has uncovered a worrying trend in New Plymouth: several district councillors are missing official meetings, sometimes without even bothering to send their apologies.

We obtained the council’s dismal attendance records, and the findings are clear <[link removed]>: ratepayers are footing the bill for representatives who often don't turn up and in some cases, don’t even acknowledge their absence.

Try skipping work without notice in the private sector – you wouldn’t last a week! We say Councillors should be held to the same standard. If you’re being paid to represent your community, you're paid to, well, show up.

Local government shouldn’t be treated as a part-time gig with full-time perks. Ratepayers deserve accountability and that starts with attendance. If a councillor can’t commit to the job, they shouldn’t collect the pay.

It’s time to raise expectations. Ratepayers need for recall elections, so communities aren’t stuck with absentee councillors for three years. If you don’t do the job, you should be replaceable.

Are the Public Service too ungrateful? 🥸

The latest Public Service Census is out and it paints a pretty grim picture of who your taxpayer dollars are paying, Friend.



On average, the Public Service is paid 30 percent more than the private sector (the average salary is $101,700). But public servants still aren’t happy.

Only 34 percent are satisfied with their pay. Just 30 percent think it reflects their performance.

And fewer than half – only 44 percent – believe jobs are handed out based on merit.

It’s time for taxpayers to demand accountability. And the solutions aren't hard: Tie performance to pay, cut the bloat, and remind the public service who they’re here to serve.

Slimy hide and seek: NZTA frog hunt costs $74,000 in Brynderwyns 🐸🔍



Next time you’re stuck in traffic near the Brynderwyns, spare a thought not for the potholes, but for the frogs.

Yes, frogs.

NZTA has confirmed it spent a whopping $74,000 paying ecologists to rummage through the bushes looking for Hochstetter’s frogs <[link removed]>.

The frog hunt included spotlighting, morning patrols, and even machine-assisted "salvage" (aka digging for frogs with an excavator!). 

Tragically, two frogs were found dead, which kicked off even more protocols and added $10,000 in costs to make culverts more frog-friendly. Yes, really.

No word yet on whether the frogs were grateful.

Meanwhile, you’re still dodging potholes and waiting for roads to reopen.

Thanks for all of your support. It's been a massive week with some great wins, and none of it would have happened without you.

<[link removed]>

Have a great weekend.




Tory Relf
New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union


ps. If you haven't seen it, watch Simon Watts' blazing speech to our supporters outside the LGNZ  <[link removed]>conference <[link removed]>. A Ratepayer Hero? ❤️ 





























In the Media:

Greymouth Star Coast mayors splashed across rates wall of shame

RNZLocal democracy under threat? Officials warn against removing council 'four wellbeings' <[link removed]>

The CountryThe Country Full Show: Friday July 18 2025 <[link removed]>

The PlatformJordan Williams on why Local Government is out of control <[link removed]>

The SpinoffThe tension between central and local government bubbles to the surface <[link removed]>

Newstalk ZBHeather du Plessis-Allan Drive: Full Show Podcast 17 July 2025 <[link removed]>

RNZRate capping: 'You've got to be able to control the costs first' - ACT leader David Seymour <[link removed]>

The CountryThe Country 17/07/25: Chris Hipkins talks to Jamie Mackay <[link removed]>

NZ HeraldInside Politics with Audrey Young <[link removed]>

Cambridge NewsMerger Calls Grow <[link removed]>

Wanaka AppQLDC rates increases among highest in country <[link removed]>

Waikato TimesNational tiptoes on the tightrope while coalition partners dance a jig <[link removed]>

Greymouth Star Councils face rates capping ‘by Christmas’ – minister

Newstalk ZBThe Huddle 16 July 2025 <[link removed]>

The PlatformTina Porou: Why Is Te Mana o te Wai Causing So Much Controversy? <[link removed]>

Newstalk ZBHeather du Plessis-Allan Drive: Full Show Podcast 16 July 2025 <[link removed]>

Chris Lynch MediaTaxpayers’ Union criticises LGNZ vote and targets Selwyn over steep rates increases <[link removed]>

The CountryThe Country 16/07/25: Christopher Luxon talks to Jamie Mackay <[link removed]>

The PostThe case for capping local government rates is simple and urgent <[link removed]>

Whakatane Beacon Rates rises ranked across the country

Chris Lynch MediaCharity ‘FACT Aotearoa’ accused of partisan election interference faces official scrutiny <[link removed]>

RNZWest Coast Regional Council chair defends rate rises <[link removed]>

The PostSouth Wairarapa mayoral hopefuls at odds over rates cap <[link removed]>

Central AppMayor defends rate hikes amid national scrutiny <[link removed]>

The Westport News Row erupts over regional council rate rise figure

Greymouth Star Westland rates among highest in South Island

Greymouth Star Birchfield campaign: Abolish regional council

RNZWhat’s behind the surge in support for our minor parties? <[link removed]>

Newstalk ZBNicola Willis: Finance Minister addresses claims she wanted to keep Budget lock-up numbers restricted <[link removed]>

Newstalk ZBNews Fix: Afternoon Edition 14 July 2025 <[link removed]>

RNZCouncil rate increases of up to 65% too much, Taxpayers' Union says <[link removed]>

Not PCRocketing rates rises rightly reviled <[link removed]>

RNZMorning Report Essentials for Monday 14 July 2025 <[link removed]>

RNZTaxpayers' Union releases rankings of local councils rate rises <[link removed]>

Interest.co.nzConservative New Zealand is still waiting for the Coalition to keep its promises – and NZ First’s surging poll numbers may be registering their impatience <[link removed]>

Otago Daily TimesMajority of southern ratepayers hit hard <[link removed]>

NZ HeraldFinance Minister Nicola Willis wanted tighter Budget lock-up, documents reveal <[link removed]>

The Westport News Regional council rate rise tops NZ

Greymouth Star 657% rate rise ‘worst in NZ’

Newstalk ZBThe Weekend Collective: Winston Peters: We can't get trade without security <[link removed]>

Newstalk ZBThe Panel with Brigitte Morten and Luke Dallow: Nurses strike to boost staffing, Lotto’s Powerball ad <[link removed]>

RNZACT rally to focus on supermarkets, free speech, economy <[link removed]>

Otago Daily Times‘Angst’ from cap potential <[link removed]>

Otago Daily TimesPositively polarising <[link removed]>

Otago Daily Times The ins and outs of what is in, and out, of the Standards Bill <[link removed]>

Northern Advocate ‘Big decision’: Tepania yet to decide

RNZRegulatory Standards Bill gets its week of scrutiny <[link removed]>

RNZOranga Tamariki paying nearly $2m a year to communications staff <[link removed]>

The PlatformStuart Nash on NZ First’s rise in the Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll <[link removed]>

Newstalk ZBTHE RE-WRAP: Gold vs. Lizards <[link removed]>

Chris Lynch MediaLocal MPs weigh in on Christchurch mayoralty, asset sales, rates, and bringing back the moa <[link removed]>

Newstalk ZBHeather du Plessis-Allan: My winner of the week <[link removed]>

The SpinoffWinston Peters finds his sweet spot as NZ First enjoys polling surge <[link removed]>

The Kākā by Bernard HickeyYoung workers leaving in their droves <[link removed]>

Newstalk ZBAndrew Dickens: Another poll, same discontent, Winston still standing <[link removed]>

RNZThe Panel with Ed Amon and Nalini Baruch Part 1 <[link removed]>

Newstalk ZBPerspective with Ryan Bridge: Winston just keeps going <[link removed]>

Interest.co.nzWinston Peters’ campaign for reelection in 2026 has a running start as new polls show growing support for the New Zealand First Party <[link removed]>

RNZNZ First now third most popular party - Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll <[link removed]>

Newstalk ZBNZ First surges past ACT in new political poll <[link removed]>

NZ HeraldNZ First surges past Act in new Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll <[link removed]>

The PostNZ First edges ahead of ACT, Greens in new poll <[link removed]>

StuffNew poll sees NZ First surge to become third most popular party <[link removed]>

Eastern TimesNational overtakes Labour in new political poll <[link removed]>

RNZFar North Mayor Moko Tepania undecided on future as Parliament calls grow <[link removed]>

Otago Daily TimesPraise for keeping consultant fees low <[link removed]>

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