this post was submitted on 15 Jul 2025
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NZ should remove GST on meat and veggies (www.change.org)
submitted 2 weeks ago by GGNZ@lemmy.nz to c/newzealand@lemmy.nz
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With the cost of living soaring, many Kiwi families are struggling to afford healthy food. Countries like Canada and the UK don’t tax basic groceries, and it's time New Zealand followed suit. Removing GST—or offering a rebate—on meat and vegetables would ease financial pressure, improve access to nutrition, and support better long-term health for all New Zealanders. Let’s push for tax policy that puts people’s wellbeing first. Sign the petition and help make real change happen.

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[–] absGeekNZ@lemmy.nz 14 points 2 weeks ago (17 children)

No we shouldn't.

If we want to subsidize a set of foods; well why not just do that. A subsidy also will not limit you to 15%; it will not complicate a very simple tax.

We can get the effect we want in a more targeted and logical manner. We can also target any subsidy at NZ producers and make our locally produced foods more competitive against imported produce.

Flat taxes are regressive and generally bad; but making a bad tax worse by adding carve outs will not give us the outcome we really want.

[–] MadPsyentist@lemmy.nz 5 points 2 weeks ago

Dude. Hiting that nail on the head with a full swing there. If the government wants to help people at the low end of the economy buy food then... Do That! Use targeted subsidies to promote cheaper food.

The economy isnt some Rube Goldberg Machine that you can reliably judge your effect on. If you want to affect a thing in the economy you are often far more effective directly affecting it.

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