Labour asks supporters to donate tax cuts

Labour party signage.

Labour has emailed supporters asking them to donate some of their tax cuts to the party.

Tax cuts were the centrepiece in yesterday's Budget unveiled by the Government.

For the average income household it would mean they could keep an extra $102 a fortnight.

The Labour Party has vehemently opposed National's tax plan since its inception, claiming it would add to inflation and exacerbate the cost of living. However, the opposition wasted no time in seizing upon the cash windfall of others.

An email sent today by Labour's General Secretary, Rob Salmond, mentioned the Government's Budget and the "bad choices" it said were made by Finance Minister Nicola Willis. The email then talks about tax cuts.

It comes as Māori gathered in en masse at a second national hui, with the proposal for a Māori parliament a hot topic of discussion. (Source: 1News)

"You may get a few dollars in tax cuts, but they come at the cost of services that Kiwis rely on."

The email then goes on to lay out a request: "Friend, will you donate some of your tax cut to Labour?"

The party plea claims by donating some of the tax cuts it could "help create a better future for Aotearoa New Zealand".

"If you donate now, we'll also double your impact thanks to our generous matched fund donors," the email said.

"If you donate a week's worth of tax cuts, we get two. If you donate two weeks' worth of tax cuts, we get four."

Willis: 'Some will say it's hypocritical'

In a statement to 1News, Finance Minister Nicola Willis said the email was an example of Labour "going after New Zealanders' hard-earned money".

"Not content with saddling Kiwis with a cost of living crisis, the Labour Party now wants your tax relief too.

"While some will say it's hypocritical for Labour to oppose tax relief but wants its benefits, in fact this latest episode is completely consistent with Labour's long-held belief that they can spend your money better than you can."

Salmond told 1News: "Like all political parties, Labour relies on donations to do our work.

"Our email gives supporters an opportunity to use part of their tax cut to help advance Labour's vision for the country, including a change of government in a little over two years' time."

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