Dear Friend,

Have you seen the news? Jacinda Ardern has resigned effective February 7, and announced the General Election for Saturday, October 14.

What does this mean? There are 2 things you need to know:

1. All policy decisions are back on the table for whoever is the next Labour Party Leader and Prime Minister.

A new Labour Leader could mean a dramatic (and radical) hard-left turn.  Early frontrunners we’ve heard include the left-wing-union-controlled, Michael Wood, and the politically powerful Nanaia Mahuta, who stood for leader in 2014 – she’s not yet ruled herself out as standing for leader again...

It's possible a new Leader means a new policy agenda. Scrapping Three Waters, stopping the dismantling of democratic accountability in local government, and fiscal responsibility are within our grasp, *if* Labour choose a leader who is determined to win re-election.

Regardless of who is in charge, this election will be close. That’s why I’m emailing our loyal supporters like you so we can continue our hard work, hit the ground running this election, and fight for taxpayers in the coming weeks.

2. Time is running out – there are only 268 days to go.

Unless Labour Scraps Three Waters, commits to protecting democracy, and stops Grant Robertson’s reckless spending, borrowing and high-tax agenda, we only have 268 days to change New Zealand’s policy direction and protect our nation’s prosperity for future generations.

, that means the campaign has already started. All signs suggest we are looking at the most competitive election in a generation.

Whoever becomes Prime Minister next month, will be willing to throw every last borrowed dollar to promise wasteful spending to get them elected. Without a strong defence for taxpayers, the election won’t be a lolly scramble, it will be a Willy Wonka factory funded by you (and future generations). That’s why I’m asking for you to chip-in to our Taxpayer Fighting Fund today.

Your support will strengthen the voice fighting for taxpayers, fiscal restraint, and protecting democratic accountability during the 2023 campaign.

Unless the Taxpayers' Union can make your voice heard, this election will boil down to a bidding war between the two sides. The Taxpayers’ Union have an action-ready plan to make sure Lower Taxes, Less Waste, More Accountability is at the heart of the debate — but we are counting on your support to put it into practice. 

Thanks to the support from tens of thousands of New Zealanders like you, last year's ‘Scrap Three Waters’ campaign was arguably a factor in Jacinda Ardern’s decision. Tomorrow, we will be releasing our latest polling – which is devastating for Jacinda Ardern. In 2023, now more than ever, we must step up to fight an even bigger threat.

Click here to contribute to the 2023 Taxpayer Fighting Fund.

Thank you for your continued support.

David Farrar
Treasurer
New Zealand Taxpayers' Union 

--
Sent from my iPhone.