Dear Friend,

As we close the office for the year, the staff are about to head home for the Summer break.

But before we do, I wanted to drop you a note to say thank you. It’s been, by far, the biggest year for Taxpayers’ Union, and none of it would have been possible without your support.

I wanted to share some of the highlights and some numbers.

Campaigning for tax relief at the pump saved the average Kiwi household $715 ⛽️

As Callum pointed out in yesterday's newsletter, earlier this year we exposed Jacinda Ardern's fuel tax hypocrisy in complaining about the price of petrol while collecting more than half in tax. That campaign saw tax relief worth some $1.39 billion (or $715 for the average Kiwi household) and counting.

Of course, that fight's not over – with the Government planning to hike the taxes again, we're asking supporters to take two minutes to make your views known to the Government at www.FuelTax.nz.

Three Waters now a thorn in the side of the Government's re-election hopes 🗳️💦

This time last year we had just launched our 'Stop Three Waters' campaign. There was not universal agreement within the organisation that Three Waters should be an issue we take on. Some were fearful that it would allow our opponents to paint us as someone we are not (despite our current and former Board Chairs being Māori), even though very few support the idea of unaccountable 'co-governance'.

And Three Waters is also a complex issue. Could we really get the average Kiwi – who’s not really that interested in politics, let alone how their water assets are managed (so long as the taps and drains work!) – to take notice?

Well the short answer is, we did. Thanks to you, and our hundreds of thousands of supporters, Three Waters is now a major thorn in the side of the Government.

We led with the economics: Three Waters will mean higher water costs, as well as increased bureaucracy, lack of local control, and less democracy.

Our monthly opinion polling demonstrates that we successfully won over the hearts and minds of middle New Zealand – our advertising campaigns, five-week roadshow tour, and social media campaigns talked to middle New Zealand and it worked. We ensured Three Waters opponents didn't just complain within our own circles.

The opposition National Party has now committed to not only repealing Three Waters, but returning control of water assets to bodies that are democratically accountable to you. More recently, the mayors of our two largest cities came out swinging against the Government's radical plans.

In short, over the last year, we have created the parade that the politicians are now lining up to lead. While we're not there yet (don't forget to buy you 'Scrap Three Waters' banner here!), we are winning the public debate against the Government's massive propaganda machine.

Next year, we'll be able to tell you about what we've been doing behind the scenes, and what we're planning to do next to keep the issue in the public consciousness, and ensure New Zealand Scraps Three Waters in 2023.

A year in numbers 🗓️

Our Union is now the most popular taxpayers' group in the English-speaking world 🪧

The Taxpayers' Union is now the largest grassroots political pressure group in New Zealand. This year, more than 85% of our funding is from small dollar (mostly online) donations. More than one-in-nineteen voting-age New Zealanders are subscribed supporters like you. That makes the NZ Taxpayers' Union the largest taxpayer pressure group in the English-speaking world on a per capita basis.

Thank you for making it possible 🙏

, I come to work everyday and think how lucky I am to have a job where I get to fight for causes I believe in. All of the staff are so appreciative to you, for making the work possible.

I'm taking a bit of parental time off (our second child is due in late January), but over summer we have staff working remotely, and the office reopens on 9 January. Our confidential Government waste "tip-line" remains open, and you can expect to see Callum, Josh, and I in the media to ensure the taxpayer isn't forgotten (we have some great stories lined up for the summer political hiatus...).

Until then, on behalf of all of the staff, and the Board, I wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a relaxing summer break.

Jordan Williams Executive Director New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union

ps. For most of us, Christmas is about giving. But for the Tax Man, it’s all about taking. A few years ago, one of our former researchers, Islay, explained the incredible reach of the “Tax on Christmas”.

--> Click here to watch. <--