The Taxpayer’s Union “debt clock” currently touring the North Island made stops in Paeroa and Thames on April 30 to highlight the nation’s rising debt.
The giant display, mounted to the side of a trailer, continued to count upwards during its journey, showing the Government’s current level of national debt – upwards of $185 billion.
Taxpayer’s Union investigations co-ordinator Rhys Hurley said the aim of the campaign was to get people talking about debt.
“Most people don’t actually know [about the amount of debt],” he said.
An associated petition from the union is calling for the government to “balance the budget and stop the debt clock”.
“What we’re asking is on Budget Day that Nicola Willis starts cutting wasteful spending… It rises the cost of everything and it’s hurting the average Kiwi,” Rhys said.
During Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ pre-budget speech on April 29, she said the previous government’s spending during Covid-19 was to blame for the nation’s debt, which rose by almost $120 billion between 2019 and 2024.
“Our government’s strategy is to reduce the deficit over time, through a gradual programme of consolidation and careful spending choices,” she said.
“We must ensure our country is financially strong and resilient enough to effectively respond to whatever the future may throw.”
