Radio Waatea’s Matthew Tukaki has taken aim at the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union during a wide-ranging political kōrero with Labour MP Willie Jackson, as fresh scrutiny falls on the organisation following the release of investigative journalist Nicky Hager’s new book, Dirty Work.
Hager’s latest investigation examines the Taxpayers’ Union, its campaigning methods, donors and links with the international Atlas Network. RNZ reports the book is based on thousands of internal documents obtained from the organisation, while the Taxpayers’ Union disputes Hager’s characterisation of its work and says the book presents a distorted picture of the group.
Tukaki challenged the role organisations such as the Taxpayers’ Union play in shaping political debate, arguing with Jackson that greater transparency is needed around who funds political advocacy, how campaigns are constructed and the influence lobby groups can have on public opinion.
The discussion then turned to Election 2026, with Jackson outlining Labour’s campaign activity as parties intensify their efforts ahead of the November 7 election. Waatea’s recent coverage has shown the campaign increasingly focusing on bread-and-butter issues including jobs, housing, health and the cost of living, alongside major debates over Te Tiriti and Māori policy.
Jackson also discussed campaign activation planned for this weekend and his upcoming trip to Australia, where he intends to encourage eligible New Zealanders — including Māori whānau living across the Tasman — to participate in the election.
With the campaign entering its final weeks, Tukaki and Jackson’s kōrero brought together two increasingly important election questions: who is influencing the political conversation, and whether parties can turn political interest into people actually casting their vote.
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