MEDIA RELEASE:

Northland Bribe-O-Meter Update

18 MARCH 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National is still trailing but catching up with NZ First on the Taxpayers' UnionNorthland by-election "Bribe-O-Meter". The Union has this afternoon updated the figures to take account of Simon Bridges' announcement regarding the Akerama Curves road realignment. It has also revised downward the cost estimate of Mr Peters' port and rail policy pledge, reflecting advice received from KiwiRail regarding the cost of upgrading the Northland railway line and running track to Northport.

Taxpayers' Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, says:

"As of today the National Party's by-election promises total $35.67 per New Zealand household. That compares to NZ First having pledged policy we estimate, if implemented, would cost $165.96 per New Zealand household."

"The National Party may argue that the new bridges and roading projects come from existing budgets and therefore are not 'new spending'. Nevertheless, where it appears Northland projects have jumped the queue ahead of other parts of the country, we have included them in the Bribe-O-Meter figures."

"This by-election is quickly turning into a buy-election paid for by all New Zealand taxpayers. The Bribe-O-Meter's purpose is to provide transparency on pork-barrelling which taxpayers are being forced to pay for."

A breakdown of the figures are available at http://taxpayers.org.nz/bribe-o-meter.

ENDS

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