Taxpayers free at last

Today is the day New Zealanders are finally free of their tax obligations, but they have worked 10 days more than their Aussie neighbours to pay their tax, calculates accounting firm Staples Rodway.

Managing partner Peter Guise said the proposed increase in tax thresholds would not narrow the gap much, as it had been more than offset by Australia's planned tax cuts.

The company's research shows it took 143 days for the average New Zealander to pay his or her income tax, local body expenses and other taxes such as petrol tax, cigarette tax and alcohol levies.