Louis Houlbrooke Podcasts

In February, the Government launched its road safety strategy called Road to Zero. The strategy hopes to reduce road deaths to zero by 2030. The Government has allocated $85 million on advertising this strategy alone. Join Louis and motorsport champion Greg Murphy, as they discuss why this unrealistic strategy is purely spin, which will not reduce …

In 2005, the Port of Auckland was delisted from the NZX and was taken over by what is now Auckland Council. Since then, the port has underperformed, become inefficient, and lagged behind other ports such as the Port of Tauranga. Jordan sits down with Greg Smith from Devon Funds to discuss how a public ownership model of Auckland's port has decimate…

Last month, the Government quietly tried to pass Tamati Coffee's Rotorua District Council Bill. When electing Rotorua Councillors, it would have meant a vote on the general roll would have been worth 39% of a vote on the Māori roll. Due to public pressure and the Attorney General calling it a breach of the Bill of Rights Act, the Government backtra…

The Government owns or partly owns 18 large businesses with combined assets of $78 billion. The Treasury has found that many are underperforming. Join Jordan and co-founder of TDB Advisory Phil Barry, as they discuss why these businesses would be more productive and experience higher rates of return if they were privatised – bolstering New Zealand'…

The Government's Fair Pay Agreements Bill passed its first vote in Parliament last week. The legislation will initiate the largest shake up for employment relations in decades. Join Jordan and Business NZ CEO Kirk Hope as they discuss why Fair Pay Agreements will mean more barriers to employment, less jobs, higher labour costs and no productivity g…

The Government is determined to implement its controversial Three Waters reform and introduce a plethora of policies aimed at tackling climate change. Join Jordan and ACT MP Simon Court as they discuss why Three Waters will not eventuate in better water infrastructure, and why the Government's climate policies will only cost taxpayers without reduc…

The NZ Treasury wants to hire economists who've never studied economics. Join Louis and Professor MacCulloch as they discuss why the public service seems to hate economists, and how ideology is trumping expert knowledge at the Reserve Bank and Treasury, threatening New Zealand's economic stability and quality of life. Support the show (http://www.t…

The Government has confirmed plans to merge RNZ and TVNZ into a single publicly-owned media monolith. Louis sits down remotely with National Party Broadcasting spokesperson Melissa Lee to find out exactly what problem the Government thinks it's solving, and how this move will impact New Zealanders' trust in the independence of the media. Support th…

National's tax policy has been criticised as 'costly' and too generous for high earners – but the Taxpayers' Union questions whether it goes far enough. Louis sits down with National Party Finance spokesman Simon Bridges to explore how he would change tax brackets to counter inflation, and whether we can expect a more comprehensive policy from Nati…

The Taxpayers' Union Curia poll conducted in February shows National surging. Is the writing on the wall for Labour next election? or should National not get their hopes up just yet? Levi is joined by pollster and media commentator David Farrar for analysis of the results. Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)…

The Government has indicated it wants to spend $5 billion on heavy rail over the next five years. But is it really good value for taxpayer money? Join Levi and Nick Leggett as they discuss why spending billions on heavy rail doesn't stake up. Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)By New Zealand Taxpayers' Union Inc.

The Government has justified its Three Waters scheme based on an interpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi. But does the logic stand up to scrutiny? Jordan sits down with Stephen Franks, a lawyer working on the High Court case against Nanaia Mahuta's water regime. Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)…

The Opportunities Party (or simply TOP) has a new Leader - Raf Manji. Louis sits down with Raf to learn why he's so keen for a universal basic income, how he thinks a land tax will pay for it, and whether TOP is a "left-wing" or "right-wing" party. Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)…

This year the Government is set to announce more details about its proposed unemployment insurance scheme. Join Jordan and Dr Dennis Wesselbaum as they discuss why the scheme will result in more unemployment, higher taxes and ironically — lower societal wellbeing. Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)…

Rising from the ashes is a new National Party, with new leadership and possibly, a new hope. Simon Bridges is back in the mix as the shadow Minister of Finance. Jordan talks with Bridges about his new role and what it will mean for Kiwi's. Simon discusses his life, from faith to his views on economics, government and what it means to be a man. Supp…

The National Party is in meltdown mode. Judith Collins has tried to take the ship down with her and now the race is on to fill the vacuum left by her controversial leadership. Jordan is joined by Taxpayer Talk regular David Farrar to discuss the details. Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)…

How do Kiwis view China? What do they think of the Queen? Will an ACT-National government lead to radical policy from the right? Pollster David Farrar Joins Taxpayer's Union researchers Max and Levi for a discussion about all this and more from the recent Lord Ashcroft mega-poll. Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)…

Inland Revenue recently sent 400 letters out to New Zealand's wealthiest individuals in an attempt to figure out how much tax they pay on their economic income. Could this be part of a lead up to a wealth tax grab? Join Jordan and tax expert Mike Shaw for answers. Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)…

National's housing spokesperson Nicola Willis has broken a story about corruption and collusion within our national housing agency. Sadly, this isn't the first time Nicola has broken such a story about Kainga Ora but it is certainly the most shocking. Join Jordan for the full sordid story. Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)…

National finance spokesman Michael Woodhouse appears on the podcast today with Jordan for a detailed discussion about National's finance and tax policy. Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)By New Zealand Taxpayers' Union Inc.

In a long-awaited interview with Nanaia Mahuta, the Local Government Minister fields questions from Taxpayers’ Union supporters on her controversial Three Waters reforms. Listeners will decide for themselves whether her ducking and diving effectively addressed concerns over ratepayer input, iwi veto power, and forecast costs. Support the show (http…

Cr Tina Nixon has no shortage of harsh words for the proposed Three Waters reforms. Join her and Jordan as they dive into the dangerous implications of this asset confiscation by central government. Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)By New Zealand Taxpayers' Union Inc.

Nania Mahuta has announced that the government will mandate to seize Three Waters assets from councils. Jordan is joined by National's spokesperson for Local Government Christopher Luxon to discuss the implications, the flaws and what can be done about the government's plans. Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)…

What's the secret to ACT's success? why after years of campaigning are they opposing housing reforms? who does David think should win the biggest government spending blowout award? Jordan and David discuss this and more in this weeks episode of Taxpayer Talk. Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)…

Jordan is joined by New Zealand Initiative Economist Matt Burgess for a detailed discussion about the ETS. They reflect on the government's long standing stance of ignoring the realities of the trading scheme, the inefficiency of climate change vanity projects and what we can do moving forward. Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)…

Labour, Greens down and National, ACT up. Those are the headlining figures from the exclusive Taxpayers' Union Curia Market Research monthly poll. A change in COVID-19 strategy has been harsh on the governing coalition with the opposition swooping in to pick up support. Jordan is joined by Curia owner and media commentator David Farrar for analysis…

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 (http://www.taxpa…

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 (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)…

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 (http://www.t…

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 (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)…

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 (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)…

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 (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)…

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 (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)By New Zealand Taxpayers' Union Inc.

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 (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)By New Zealand Taxpayers' Union Inc.

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 (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)By New Zealand Taxpayers' Union Inc.

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 (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)…

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 (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/…

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 (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)By Matt Burgess

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 (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)…

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 (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)By New Zealand Taxpayers' Union Inc.

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 (htt…

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 (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)By New Zealand Taxpayers' Union Inc.

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 (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)By New Zealand Taxpayers' Union Inc.

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 (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)By New Zealand Taxpayers' Union Inc.

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 (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)…

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 (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)By New Zealand Taxpayers' Union Inc.

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 (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)By New Zealand Taxpayers' Union Inc.

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 (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)By New Zealand Taxpayers' Union Inc.

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 (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)By New Zealand Taxpayers' Union Inc.

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 (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)By New Zealand Taxpayers' Union Inc.