Latest news with #NewZealandTaxpayers'Union
Scoop
5 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Rangiora's MainPower Stadium Slammed As 'Gold-Plated Gym'
Rangiora's MainPower Stadium has been labelled ''a gold-plated gym'' by the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union. The political lobby group has weighed in on the popular stadium, which cost $28m to build and has ongoing costs of more than $2.4m a year. ''This stadium is shaping up to be a gold-plated gym that ratepayers can't afford,'' Taxpayers' Union investigations co-ordinator Rhys Hurley said. ''Waimakariri ratepayers were sold a vision of a community facility, not a bottomless pit of costs. ''This isn't just about sport. When there has been a 22 percent rates rise over the last three years, it's time for some financial discipline.'' But Waimakariri District Council chief executive Jeff Millward said MainPower Stadium, which opened in 2021, is proving to be popular with locals and visitors to the district. It attracts more than 25,000 visitors a year and hosted national and regional sports and community events, he said. ''We regularly hear from the community just how much they appreciate and value the stadium. I would say the enthusiasm for this facility is only growing.'' The $2.4m annual costs includes $1m to pay interest on the $28m loan, which equates to around $30 per ratepayer per year. Operating expenses this year were nearly $400,000, which is offset by around $200,000 of revenue from the facility, while the council is funding depreciation of nearly $1m. When the stadium was approved as part of the 2018/28 Long Term Plan process, the council said it would cost $90 per ratepayer per year to service the loan. ''MainPower Stadium is an investment in our community and provides a wealth of social and recreational benefits to our residents,'' Mr Millward said. ''It was highly supported when we asked the community if they supported the project, and this support has grown in the subsequent four years since opening.'' The council approved additional funding of $100,000 a year in this year's annual plan, as part of a new management agreement with the North Canterbury Sport and Recreation Trust, which had been running the facility at a loss, on behalf of the council. ''Sports courts and other community buildings like swimming pools don't make money, which is why ratepayers choose to fund them,'' Mr Millward said. Even with the extra costs of maintaining MainPower Stadium, the Waimakariri District Council has one of the lowest rate rises in the country this year of 4.98%. Earlier this year, North Canterbury Sport and Recreation Trust chief executive Michael Sharp said while professional teams like the Crusaders and the Tactix paid standard commercial rates to use the facilities, the council has set community rates to ensure the stadium is affordable. He said given the growth in demand for the facility there has already been talk of expanding from a four-court stadium to eight-courts.
Scoop
30-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Are Our Pints Too Pricey? Tamatha Paul Thinks So
The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union is backing Wellington Central MP Tamatha Paul in calling for cheaper beer, arguing a $5 pint is only possible by cutting alcohol excise taxes. Taxpayers Union spokesman Rhys Hurley said: "The price of a pint has increased by a total of 20.6 percent through excise alone in just four years, before even accounting for inflation." "Not only is this causing further inflation but it is hampering hospitality's recovery from the lows of Covid lockdowns. Many businesses are on their last legs, if they haven't fallen over already." "Instead of trying to slap more taxes and restrictions on the majority who safely consume alcohol, how about properly targeted interventions on those causing harm?" "Paul has obviously seen the damage the tax has done to her electorate and the lack of people able to afford and enjoy a night out. It's time for the government to cut the booze tax and stop punishing people for enjoying themself."
Scoop
21-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Revealed: $218,000 Reo App Free-For-All Across Government
The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union can reveal through Official Information request that seven government departments and councils have spent $218,012 developing their own separate Māori language and cultural training apps despite the existence of a national Māori Language Commission and multiple taxpayer-funded training programmes already in place. Taxpayers' Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said: 'We've got a Māori Language Commission, we've got staff training programmes, we've got online learning tools - so why is every agency now building its own apps?' 'This is a perfect example of bureaucratic duplication. Every department wants its own badge, its own brand, its own slice of the cultural competency pie, all funded by the public purse.' 'Some of these apps cost more than $35,000 and reached fewer than 2,000 people. Waikato Regional Council knew other apps already existed before building its own. That's not helping Māori, it's just self-indulgence.' "With this many apps found via tips alone, imagine how many more exist. A centralised, shared platform for the public service instead of this wasteful agency-by-agency approach is needed." "We don't need seven apps, we just need one that works."
Scoop
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Stop The Secrecy: Whānau Ora Probe Shows Why OIA Must Follow The Money
The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union is calling for immediate legislative reform to bring all 75% taxpayer-funded organisations, including Whānau Ora commissioning agencies, under the Official Information Act (OIA), following a New Zealand Herald investigation into Pasifika Futures and potential conflicts of interest in the distribution of public funds. Taxpayers' Union spokesperson Tory Relf said: 'It's completely unacceptable that taxpayer-funded bodies like Pasifika Futures can distribute millions of dollars with so little public oversight. The people writing the cheques are the same ones setting the rules and the public is locked out of the room.' 'When taxpayers' money is handed out behind closed doors to organisations run by friends and family, the least we should expect is the right to ask: why, how, and who made the decision?' 'If you're spending public money, you must be accountable to the public. That starts with full transparency through being subject to the Official Information Act.' 'If these agencies are confident in their processes, they should have nothing to fear from public scrutiny.' 'It is time for the Government to amend the Official Information Act to cover all organisations receiving substantial public funds and finally bring accountability to the wider public sector.'
Scoop
26-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Revealed: Invercargill Consultant Bill Tops $7.3 Million
The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union can reveal under Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act request that Invercargill City Council spent $7,334,394 on consultants and legal services in just three years. The spending includes fees for everything from strategy consultants and cultural engagement advisers to legal firms and planning experts. Taxpayers' Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, says: 'Ratepayers are forking out over $7 million to consultants while basic council services remain under pressure. When you need a consultant to tell you how to build a playground or put up signage, something has gone very wrong.' 'This is exactly the sort of out-of-control spending that's driving up rates and leaving residents worse off. Too often, councils hide this under the vague label of 'expert advice' but the rates bill ends up in the letterbox of every ratepayer.' 'Consultants don't come cheap but Invercargill ratepayers shouldn't be treated like an ATM every time council wants to outsource its thinking. The Council needs to be forced to focus on core services through rates capping now."
