Articles tagged with Tax
Government Updates Tax Rules to Support Fairness in Charitable Sector by 2028
3 weeks ago | 250 viewsThe Government is updating tax rules for the charitable and not-for-profit sector to enhance fairness, clarity, and sustainability, including raising the tax-free income threshold and capping donation tax credits. These changes aim to support the sector’s integrity and resilience, recognizing its significant community contribution and economic value through volunteering. The reforms will be implemented between 2027 and 2028, with detailed guidance forthcoming from Inland Revenue.
Tags: Simon Watts Louise Upston Government Inland Revenue charitable sector tax rules donation tax credit volunteering New ZealandBudget 2026 Tax Changes Boost NZ Innovation, Investment, and Compliance
3 weeks ago | 271 viewsBudget 2026 introduces targeted tax changes to support economic growth, including improvements to the Research and Development Tax Incentive for quicker payments and tighter software expenditure caps, as well as adjustments to Foreign Investment Fund rules to simplify offshore investing. It also simplifies fringe benefit tax compliance, strengthens tax system integrity by taxing outstanding shareholder loans after company liquidation, and updates thin capitalisation rules for foreign-owned banks. Additionally, the Government is investing $15 million annually in Inland Revenue compliance efforts to enhance tax collection, contributing to funding public services.
Tags: Simon Watts Budget 2026 New Zealand Research and Development Foreign Investment Fund Fringe Benefit Tax Inland Revenue Tax Compliance Tax System Integrity Tax Policy ScorecardShaping NZ’s Modern Road User Charges: Consultation Open for Tech & Finance Sectors
1 month ago | 315 viewsTransport Minister Chris Bishop announced a consultation on proposed regulations to modernize New Zealand's road user charges system, transitioning from petrol tax to electronic charges based on actual road use and vehicle weight. The regulations will define how approved providers operate, protect personal data, and introduce flexible payment options like subscriptions or post-payment. The government seeks input from various sectors to create a fairer, simpler, and privacy-compliant system, with consultation open until 12 June.
Tags: Chris Bishop New Zealand Transport Minister Land Transport (Revenue) Amendment Bill road user charges electronic road user charges petrol tax hybrid vehicles Privacy Act Transport and Infrastructure Select CommitteeGovernment to Continue Efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme in 2027 Saving $122M
1 month ago | 355 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour announced the Government will continue the Healthy School Lunches Programme in 2027, providing nutritious meals to around 242,000 students daily while saving taxpayers $122 million that year. Since Term 1 2025, the programme has delivered over 48 million meals to more than 1,000 schools, improving efficiency with nearly 100% on-time delivery and significantly reduced complaints, at a lower average meal cost than under the previous government. Budget 2026 allocates $212.4 million to extend the programme and the ECE Food programme, with additional funding to explore eligibility improvements and ensure lunches reach more children in need.
Tags: David Seymour Healthy School Lunches Programme Government Budget 2026 ECE Food programme taxpayer savings Ministry of Education Labour government school meals equity indexMarlborough Council Starts Consultation on $110M Port Marlborough Ferry Upgrade
2 months ago | 452 viewsThe Marlborough District Council has begun consulting on funding Port Marlborough’s $110 million contribution to revenue-generating port assets in Picton, supporting new resilient ferries for road, rail, and passengers. This initiative, part of a $531 million budget for Picton works, aims to replace ferries while saving taxpayers $2.3 billion and securing long-term infrastructure for the Interislander and Bluebridge services. The proposal is designed to cost no additional ratepayer funds, with dividends from Port Marlborough benefiting the community and taxpayers funding the balance through Ferry Holdings.
Tags: Marlborough District Council Port Marlborough Picton Rail Minister Winston Peters Interislander Bluebridge Local Government Act Ferry Holdings taxpayerGovernment to Receive $10M Special Dividend from Landcorp Farming in 2025/26
2 months ago | 400 viewsThe Government will receive a $10 million special dividend from Landcorp Farming Limited, contributing to a total of $25 million in dividends returned to the Crown for the 2025/26 financial year. This payment reflects Landcorp’s strong financial position, improved operations, and commitment to delivering value for taxpayers, supported by favorable commodity prices and disciplined management. The special dividend follows a $9.5 million capital repayment from Fonterra and is considered a pass-through of this non-operating receipt, separate from Landcorp’s ordinary dividend policy.
Tags: Simeon Brown Landcorp Farming Limited New Zealand Government State Owned Enterprises Fonterra Shareholding Ministers Crown dividends public services commodity prices taxpayer valueNew Zealand Boosts Support for Working Families Amid Rising Fuel Prices
3 months ago | 538 viewsA bill has passed in Parliament providing temporary financial support to about 157,000 low-to-middle income working families affected by rising fuel prices due to the Middle East conflict, including a $50 weekly boost in the in-work tax credit starting April 7. The legislation also revises tax rules, such as thin capitalisation, to attract more foreign investment, particularly for infrastructure projects, while introducing measures to support startups, employee share schemes, new migrants, and digital nomads. These changes aim to strengthen New Zealand’s economy by helping households, encouraging business growth, and making the country more attractive for work, investment, and family life.
Tags: Simon Watts New Zealand Taxation Bill Middle East conflict fuel prices working families thin capitalisation rules digital nomads startups2025 Parliamentary Highlights: Major Laws Passed to Boost NZ Economy & Society
6 months ago | 785 viewsIn 2025, the Government made significant legislative progress with 81 Government Bills becoming law, focusing on economic growth, law and order, and reducing living costs through key measures like the Investment Boost tax incentive and trade agreements. Notable achievements include the unanimous passage of the Parliament Bill, modernizing parliamentary governance, and streamlined processes for infrastructure and family support. The year also featured extensive parliamentary activity, including numerous bills introduced, readings, and questions, reflecting a busy and productive legislative session.
Tags: Chris Bishop Louise Upston New Zealand Parliament Government Bills Budget 2025 UAE Economic Partnership Resource Management Bill Public Works Bill Income Tax FamilyBoost 54th ParliamentGovernment-Backed KidsCan ECE Food Programme Boosts Child Development and Wellbeing
6 months ago | 787 viewsThe Ministry of Education’s ECE Food Programme Kōhanga Reo Survey Report highlights strong support for KidsCan’s delivery of taxpayer-funded meals to up to 10,000 early childhood education (ECE) children, with high ratings for reliability, food safety, communication, flexibility, and professionalism. The report shows significant improvements in children’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development linked to the programme, including better energy, concentration, mood, and social interactions. With $4 million in annual government funding and expected taxpayer savings of $145 million in 2026, KidsCan’s programme continues to expand, supporting more children’s nutrition and learning outcomes.
Tags: KidsCan Mr Seymour Sir Peter Gluckman Ministry of Education Associate Education Minister ECE Food Programme Kōhanga Reo Healthy School Lunch Early Childhood Education taxpayer funded mealsGovernment Boosts School Maintenance Funding with 50% Increase from 2026
6 months ago | 568 viewsThe Government is significantly increasing school maintenance funding for the first time since 2010, raising the Five Year Agreement (5YA) base rate by 50% and doubling the minimum allocation for small schools starting July 2026. This investment aims to ensure classrooms are safe, warm, and dry, allowing schools greater certainty and flexibility to plan essential upgrades and modernizations over the long term. Additionally, a $58 million package has already provided over 2,400 schools with one-off grants to address urgent maintenance needs, receiving positive feedback from school communities.
Tags: Erica Stanford school property maintenance funding 5 Year Agreement school capital funding classroom upgrades small schools government investment school maintenance taxpayer moneyNew School Lunch Programme to Provide Affordable Nutritious Meals to 242,000 Students Daily from 2026
7 months ago | 820 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour has announced a new school lunch program starting in Term 1 of 2026, providing affordable, nutritious lunches to around 242,000 students daily in contributing primary schools. Ten suppliers have been contracted to deliver lunches to 188 schools, catering to standard and special diets with sustainable packaging and efficient ordering systems. The program aims to save taxpayers $145 million in 2026 by utilizing a regional approach, offering meals at an average cost of $3.46 per lunch without requiring additional funding.
Tags: David Seymour school lunch programme suppliers nutritious meals primary schools affordable taxpayers funding studentsNew Zealand Tax and Social Policy Work Programme Enhances Economic Growth and Investment
7 months ago | 769 viewsRevenue Minister Simon Watts has announced a refreshed Tax and Social Policy Work Programme aimed at boosting the economy by attracting capital, talent, and small business investment. The program focuses on removing regulatory barriers, delivering a stable tax environment, and encouraging critical investment in infrastructure. Key pillars include attracting capital and talent, supporting small businesses, simplifying the tax system, and improving integrity through targeted consultations and practical reforms.
Tags: Simon Watts Tax Social Policy Work Programme New Zealand Capital Talent Small Business Investment InfrastructureNew Zealand and Iceland Strengthen Cooperation on Working Holidays, Taxation, and Geothermal Energy
8 months ago | 704 viewsNew Zealand and Iceland are strengthening cooperation in areas such as working holidays, taxation, and geothermal energy, as announced by Foreign Minister Winston Peters during his visit to Iceland. Initiatives like a reciprocal Working Holiday Scheme aim to enhance collaboration between the two island nations, fostering opportunities for young people to engage, learn, and contribute internationally. The Double Tax Agreement and exploration of geothermal energy aim to bolster economic ties and address future energy needs, with Mr Peters highlighting the importance of learning from Iceland's expertise in this field during his broader visit to the Nordic region.
Tags: New Zealand Iceland Winston Peters Halla Tómasdóttir Erica Stanford Daði Már Kristófersson Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson Working Holiday Scheme Double Tax Agreement Geothermal EnergyNew Zealand Government Secures Guangzhou Shipyard for Two Ferry Builds
8 months ago | 850 viewsThe Government has selected Guangzhou Shipyard International to build two new ferries through Ferry Holdings Limited. Rail Minister Winston Peters highlighted GSI's expertise and capabilities as a leading shipbuilding enterprise in Southern China. Negotiations are ongoing, with details to be disclosed upon completion, including agreements with CentrePort Limited and Port Marlborough New Zealand Limited, aiming for completion in 2029 with cost-effective solutions to benefit New Zealand taxpayers.
Tags: Government Ferry Holdings Limited Guangzhou Shipyard International Rail Minister Winston Peters GSI New Zealand taxpayers ferry replacement programme CentrePort Limited Port Marlborough New Zealand Limited project iReXNew Zealand Boosts Local Businesses with Procurement Rule Changes
8 months ago | 812 viewsChanges to government procurement rules in New Zealand aim to give local businesses a better chance at winning contracts by introducing an economic benefit test, effective from 1 December. These new rules, resulting from feedback received during consultation, include simplifying processes, reducing the number of rules, and emphasizing the economic value and job creation for Kiwis. The changes are designed to make it easier for both local and international businesses to compete for government contracts while upholding international trade commitments and ensuring responsible use of taxpayer money.
Tags: New Zealand Government contracts Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis procurement rules businesses economic benefit test Kiwi businesses taxpayer money international companies