
Tax refunds: Inland Revenue Department begins paying overtaxed Kiwis back
The Inland Revenue Department has tallied the tax it has taken from people over the last financial year and has begun the process of giving any extra back - and chasing up tax owed.
The IRD issued income tax assessments on Saturday and has sent them out to Kiwis.
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NZ Herald
a day ago
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Interactive: Story and meaning of stars of Matariki, Māori New Year
This piece was first published in 2022. Our very own new year is now a public holiday, with Kiwis around the country marking it on Friday, June 20, this year. As Matariki has always been a celebration of abundance, of remembrance, unity and hope for the future, it's an opportunity


Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
Cyclone Recovery Projects Benefit From Special Lotto Draw Funding
Two years on from Cyclone Gabrielle, communities are now stronger and more resilient following the distribution of $11.77 million raised through a special Lotto draw. More than 560 groups and organisations have received grants that have allowed them to rebuild and prepare for future adverse weather, with much of the funding coming from the Lotto draw on 18 March 2023. Funds raised from the draw were passed by the Lottery Grants Board to the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust for distribution to the community. 'We're incredibly proud to have played a role in this vital recovery effort and very grateful to our players for rallying around to help support those worst affected by the cyclone,' says Lotto NZ Chief Executive Jason Delamore. The Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust funded hundreds of grassroots projects to help restore and strengthen other hard-hit areas, most of them rural. Examples include: $18,509 to the Ahuroa Community Hall to purchase a generator, marine VHF radios, a storage container and emergency supplies $28,000 to Te Ahi Kaa Training and Social Services Centre to purchase satellite phones and handheld radios, ensuring the Kennedy Bay community on the Coromandel Peninsula can stay connected in the aftermath of an emergency $30,000 to Te Rawhiti Work Trust to purchase a container, trailer, and essential emergency equipment — vital tools to help them respond quickly and effectively in future crises Many of the grants have focused on funding equipment and infrastructure that will enable community organisations to withstand another severe weather event more effectively. Delamore says the team at Lotto NZ leapt into action to support communities affected by the cyclone. 'When the cyclone hit, our role was clear. As the national lottery, we were in a unique position to offer a way that Kiwis could contribute towards relief for those in need and to help them get back on their feet in the long term.' The special draw was part of the overall cyclone recovery effort and complemented the work done by the government, charities, mayoral relief funds, corporate partners and local fundraisers in raising money to help with response and recovery in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle. Project spotlight: Solar on marae More than 70 organisations received funding for new solar and battery installations to enable them to remain open to their communities during power outages. In one of the affected areas, Tairāwhiti, 21 marae received a combined $856,979 in funding for solar panels, helping build resilience both within the community and against any future events like Cyclone Gabrielle. The project includes marae locations from Pōtaka in the north through to Te Araroa, Rangitukia/Tikitiki, Ruatōria, Waipiro Bay, Tolaga Bay, Makauri, Whatatutu, and Muriwai with the allocation of funds overseen by Trust Tairāwhiti. 'Our marae has always been a natural place of gathering for our whānau, especially in times of crisis,' says Matahi o te Tau Marae Trustee and Secretary Campbell Dewes. 'When the cyclone hit and the power went out, we were cut off. 'Having solar and battery storage now means we're not only able to keep our freezers full of kai and meet our day-to-day needs — we're also less dependent on the grid, more resilient, and doing our bit to reduce our carbon footprint. 'As one of the first places in Aotearoa to see the sun, it's only fitting we can harness some of its energy to power our future,' says Dewes. Trust Tairāwhiti General Manager Audine Grace-Kutia says the 21 marae are being equipped with 28 to 40 high-efficiency solar panels and a battery averaging just over 20 kWh in capacity. 'These systems are expected to cover more than 50 percent of a marae daily energy needs and will save them $100's a month on power bills — all while giving the marae greater energy independence, which is especially important in remote or outage-prone areas,' Grace-Kutia said. 'It means they're able to meet their cultural obligations in times when communities, whānau and hapū need support in the face of extreme weather events and the like.' Notes All funds raised from the special draw went to support communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. The Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust was established by the Crown as an independent entity to distribute funds raised in the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal. The Trust allocated $14,511,916 in total to help recovery efforts, of which $11,770,000 came from the live Lotto NZ draw on 18 March 2023.


Scoop
3 days ago
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Sharpened Focus On Quality Economic, Population Stats
Minister of Statistics Statistics Minister Dr Shane Reti has today announced a major new direction for Stats NZ, replacing the traditional paper-based census and increasing the frequency and quality of economic data to underpin the Government's growth agenda. From 2030, New Zealand will move away from a traditional nationwide census and adopt a new approach using administrative data, supported by a smaller annual survey and targeted data collection. 'This approach will save time and money while delivering more timely insights into New Zealand's population,' says Dr Reti. 'Relying solely on a nationwide census day is no longer financially viable. In 2013, the census cost $104 million. In 2023, costs had risen astronomically to $325 million and the next was expected to come in at $400 million over five years. 'Despite the unsustainable and escalating costs, successive censuses have been beset with issues or failed to meet expectations. 'By leveraging data already collected by government agencies, we can produce key census statistics every year, better informing decisions that affect people's lives.' While administrative data will form the backbone of the new approach, surveys will continue to verify data quality and fill gaps. Stats NZ will work closely with communities to ensure smaller population groups are accurately represented. The Government will also invest $16.5 million to deliver a monthly Consumers Price Index (CPI) from 2027, bringing New Zealand into line with other advanced economies. This will provide more timely inflation data to help the Government and Reserve Bank respond quickly to cost-of-living pressures. 'Inflation affects interest rates, benefit adjustments, and household budgets. Timely data helps ensure Kiwis are better supported in a fast-changing environment,' says Dr Reti. Funding is also being allocated to align Stats NZ's reporting with updated international macroeconomic standards. These reflect shifts such as the growth of the digital economy and will ensure New Zealand is measuring what matters in today's world. 'Modern, internationally aligned statistics will support trade and investment, helping drive economic growth and job creation,' says Dr Reti. Dr Reti says these changes reflect a broader reset for Stats NZ. 'Some outputs have not met the standard expected of a world-class statistics agency. We're getting back to basics – measuring what matters. Our goal is a modern, efficient, and reliable data system that delivers the insights New Zealand needs now and into the future.' Notes: Administrative (admin) data is information collected by government agencies during their everyday operations — like tax records, education enrolments, or health data. Admin data is already used regularly to produce some statistics, like population estimates and statistics about international migration, household income, and child poverty. It has also been used in the two most recent censuses to support the information gathered through surveying. Examples of admin data and their sources include: ACC injury claims (ACC) student loan and allowances (Inland Revenue, Ministry of Social Development) tax and income (Inland Revenue) births, deaths, and marriages (Department of Internal Affairs) education data (Ministry of Education).