New Zealand Taxpayers' Union Inc.

Taxpayer Talk

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We're the voice for Kiwi taxpayers in the corridors of power. With our 200,000 subscribed members and supporters we fight for Lower Taxes, Less Waste, and More Accountability across all levels of government. Join or support the Taxpayers' Union at www.taxpayers.org.nz

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New Zealand Taxpayers' Union Inc.

Episodes

MPs in Depth: Police, the campaign trail and proud socialism — Ginny Andersen MP 28.04.2020 24:41

We're giving taxpayers the opportunity to get to know their MPs beyond photo-ops and party-line speeches. In this episode, Islay Aitchison interviews Ginny Andersen MP. Support the show

MPs in Depth: Shameless liberalism, the Wellington bubble and opening a pub — Chris Bishop MP 28.04.2020 31:04

We're giving taxpayers the opportunity to get to know their MPs beyond photo-ops and party-line speeches. In this episode, Islay Aitchison interviews Chris Bishop MP. Support the show

Taxpayer Talk: In the market, with Bevan Wallace 16.04.2020 34:06

What is quantitative easing, and why are markets in New Zealand and abroad seen a recent bounce after dramatic falls due to COVID-19? For an in depth look at how markets are responding - including their implications on housing and inflation here in New Zealand, Jordan and Joe are joined by Bevan Wallace, Executive Director of Morgan Wallace. Bevan’s recent explainer on QE and inflation is availabl...

Taxpayer Talk: Can you put a value on life? 16.04.2020 22:58

The conversation around how and when to raise the lockdown has generated some unenviable problems for policy makers, none more so than how to value the lives of those saved by lockdown versus the jobs and businesses it will destroy. Dr Bryce Wilkinson joins the podcast to discuss his latest paper, which helps to shed some light on how these calculations of life and death are made. You can read Dr...

Taxpayer Talk: Economic relief spending: is it worth the cost? 08.04.2020 22:16

Spending of taxpayer money has gone through the roof as the Government helps businesses through the COVID-19 crisis. How concerned should New Zealanders be? And how does our response compare to other countries? Louis interviews local Economist Joe Ascroft and Daniel Bunn of the Tax Foundation (based in Washington DC) - who is leading their project Tracking Economic Relief Plans Around the World du...

Taxpayer Talk: Less lock-down, more work - National Party’s Todd McClay on what is ‘essential’ under Level 4 06.04.2020 24:08

With most businesses unable to operate, we discuss the threshold of what can be open and what can’t with National’s Economic Development Spokesman, Todd McClay. Support the show

Taxpayer Talk: Should local councils freeze rates? 01.04.2020 17:12

Despite the national health and financial emergency, most councils are still planning to hike rates - some up to nine or ten percent. Louis Houlbrooke interviews Hutt City Councillor Chris Milne & Christchurch City Councillor Sam MacDonald. Support the show

Taxpayer Talk: NZ Initiative on COVID-19 - Dr David Law and Dr Eric Crampton 27.03.2020 40:25

In this episode, we talk to Dr David Law (Research Fellow) and Dr Eric Crampton (Chief Economist) at the New Zealand Initiative thinktank. Dr Law has just published a paper, Policy Point: Short-time work to maintain employment and Dr Crampton a Research Note: Effective Treatment: Public policy prescription for a pandemic . Both join us to discuss their papers, as well as why current calls from l...

Taxpayer Talk: Countdown to lockdown with Matt Boyd, Don Brash, Islay Aitchison & Jordan Williams 23.03.2020 23:02

The PM has just announced a move to level 3 and then level 4 COVID-19 alert level. We interview Dr Matt Boyd, a specialist in health economics and global catastrophic risk, and Dr Don Brash, former RBNZ Governor. Support the show

Taxpayer Talk: Michael Reddell on COVID-19 economic response 20.03.2020 38:31

Michael Reddell is a former Board member of the IMF, and Head of Financial Markets at the RBNZ. He sits down with Jordan Williams and Joe Ascoft to discuss his recent and radical proposal for government intervention and taxpayer-funded support for the duration of the COVID-19 downturn. Michael blogs at https://croakingcassandra.com the proposals referred to are available here: https://croakingcass...

Taxpayer Talk: Damien Grant on COVID-19 economic response 20.03.2020 32:59

Taxpayers' Union member and Sunday Star-Times contributor Damien Grant doesn't like the economic package recommendation published by the Taxpayers' Union earlier in the week. He sits down with Jordan Williams and Joe Ascoft to discuss. Support the show