The task

In 2017, the Government set up the Tax Working Group to look at ways to improve the structure, fairness and balance of the tax system in New Zealand. Tax affects everyone, and the Group are seeking views from as many New Zealanders as possible on the future of tax.

The Tax Working Group will release an interim report in September 2018 before issuing their final recommendations in February 2018.

What do you think about the future of tax?

Prepare a submission that answers one of the following three questions. You may submit your entry as either a 2,000 word essay (excluding headers and footers), A3 presentation, or five minute video presentation.

1. How can tikanga Māori help ensure the tax system reflects what’s important to New Zealanders?  
2. What is the most pressing intergenerational challenge facing our tax system?
3. How should the tax system promote the right balance between supporting the productive economy and the speculative economy? 

Tips

Check out the Tax Working Group website for more information on the New Zealand tax system, including its objectives and the challenges, risks and opportunities it will face in the future.

One of the tools that we use at the Treasury to help us develop policy advice is the Living Standards Framework, which includes a broad range of factors that affect the well-being of both individuals and society. This framework may help you to identify the range of effects that a policy may have.

To find out more about the Treasury's Living Standards Framework refer below.

Submissions will be judged on the basis of:

• addressing all aspects of the question
• depth and breadth of analysis of the policy issues
• appropriate use of evidence to justify any recommendations, and
• assessment from a broad range of perspectives/impact of the policy across different dimensions of the Treasury's Living Standards Framework.

All entries are due on 29 July 2018 at 11:59pm.