Taxpayer Talk

Jordan is joined by Damien Grant for a concerning discussion on the implications of the recent 'Moana' case that was the subject of Damien's recent column published in Stuff. They talk about ideology within Oranga Tamariki, judicial interference by a chief executive and the concerning silence from legal watchdogs.  Support the show

A Parliamentary select committee has unanimously recommend a charge on motorists entering central Auckland at peak hours. Louis is joined by National MP Christopher Luxon to discuss whether the revenues will be used to cut fuel tax, or if they will be raided by greedy councils. Support the show

As part of our continuing discussion on the subject, Jordan and Bruce sit down for a chat about the now infamous Three Waters reforms. Topics include that patronising television ad, the government's reasoning for why reform is needed and the growing groundswell among Mayors and ratepayers in opposition to the reforms. Support the show

What could be the downside to centralising our water infrastructure and allocating 50% ownership to Iwi?  Today on Taxpayer Talk Jordan is joined by ACT MP Simon Court for a discussion about the consequences of the 'Three Waters' proposal and what ACT would do differently. Support the show

Jordan Williams is joined by the New Zealand Initiative director Oliver Hartwich for this episode of Taxpayer Talk. They discuss the impact lockdown is having on New Zealand, the similarities and lessons to be drawn from history and what the likely effects will be on our country's future. Support the show

Louis is joined by Professor Robert MacCulloch of Auckland University to discuss the rapid growth of 'Wellbeing Economics'. The pair discuss who is pushing the agenda, what it gets right, what it gets wrong and what it means for Kiwis moving forwards. Support the show

Max is joined by National MP Nicola Willis for a discussion on Labour's failures in this housing crisis, what National thinks ought to be done and the benefits of debating the big issues. Support the show

Max is joined by Simeon Brown to address exactly why the donation of 2.75 million to the gang-run Kahukura program was a poor decision by this government, and to rebut some of the points that have been brought up in support of it. Support the show

In this episode of Taxpayer Talk, Jordan is joined first by Mayor Lianne Dalziel and then by Councillor James Gough for two contrary accounts of Christchurch City's LTP, rates and debt.  Support the show

In this episode of our “MPs in Depth” series, our Researcher Max Salmon interviews newbie ACT Party MP Karen Chhour to discuss the switch to working in parliament, why the Government isn’t walking its talk in regards to child poverty reduction, and the role of ACT in opposition. Support the show

Jordan Williams is joined by Councillor John Watson for a discussion about what's gone so wrong with the supercity. From steep rates rises to overflowing sewerage and problems with the Mayor's office, this brief but ranging discussion is must-listen for those interested in the future of the super city. Support the show

The Climate Change Commission’s final advice to the Government was released today. Our Executive Director Jordan Williams speaks again to Matt Burgess from the NZ Initiative to discuss the implications.  Support the show

Taxpayers' Union Executive Director Jordan Williams and consulting economist Joe Ascroft both attended the Budget 2021 lock up. Louis asks why they've described it as a major shift in the economic dial to the left. And what's this about another new tax? Support the show

Former opposition leader and National party MP Simon Bridges joins Max on the podcast for a chat about his time in politics, worrying tendencies towards intolerance, and of course tax bracket creep. Support the show

Entering parliament as an MP was not how Tangi Utikere imagined 2020 would end at the beginning of that year. However circumstance conspired and Utikere is now the MP for Palmerston North and a member of the Labour Party. In this episode of MPs in Depth, Tangi and Louis discuss politics, running for office, and of course, Tax. Support the show

Barbara Edmonds is the MP for Mana and a homegrown Kiwi success story. In this episode, Max and Barbara discuss working for Judith and Jacinda, her attitude to tax, and what she wants to get done in parliament. Support the show

Brooke van Velden is the deputy leader of the ACT party and was a critical part of the End of Life Choice campaign. In this episode of MPs in Depth Max and Brooke have a ranging discussion about motivations, euthanasia, and the housing crisis. Support the show

Taxpayers' Union researcher Max Salmon is joined by Senior Economist Brad Olsen for a discussion about the concerning prospect of rent controls under this Labour government. Support the show

At $50,000 per dwelling, is a big taxpayer handout to Councils the right medicine for a housing shortage? Jordan sits down with the Executive Director of the New Zealand Initiative, Oliver Hartwich for a friendly natter on the merits of National's latest housing policy. Support the show

Mark Cameron is one of ACT's nine new MPs, in this episode of MPs in Depth Louis sits down with Mark for an educational and energetic conversation on the plight of farming, the urban and rural divide, and why he chose ACT. Support the show

Louis sits down with new Act MP Nicole McKee for a ranging discussion from her passion for firearms and hunting, to dealing with the public spotlight, and the spirit of the new ACT party. Support the show

From cleaning up Agent Orange, to being deported from Fiji, new ACT MP and self-described 'radical environmentalist' Simon Court shares his background on our MPs in Depth podcast series. Support the show

As part of our MP's in Depth series, Louis sits down with new Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds for a wide-ranging discussion on her career and electorate. Support the show

Louis sits down with Damien Grant for a discussion about the growth in size and role of the government, such as new tax changes on housing and the potential for rent control.  Support the show

Louis sits down with Kathryn Marshall of Williams Corporation, a residential property developer, to find out whether an extended bright line test and the removal of interest deductibility will lead to more affordable housing. Kathryn makes the case that the real solution is in tackling consenting processes at local councils. Support the show