Taxpayers’ Union denies sexual harassment settlement allegations

The Taxpayers’ Union has categorically denied allegations in Nicky Hager's new book, Dirty Work, that the organisation settled a sexual harassment claim involving executive director Jordan Williams. Hager alleges the board made payments to resolve several employment disputes, including at least one case of "textbook sexual harassment" against Williams. Williams has rejected the claim, stating he has never been accused of sexual harassment by any current or former staff member.

Hager's book, which he describes as an exposé, claims the Taxpayers’ Union uses campaigns to shift New Zealand toward the "hard right". The author alleges the group has engaged in race-based politics, specifically through its Stop Three Waters campaign. The Taxpayers’ Union has rejected these claims, including the suggestion that it uses anti-Māori racism as a political weapon.

The book also examines the organisation's financial ties and political influence. Hager alleges that British American Tobacco paid the Taxpayers’ Union to run a campaign against smoking legislation, which was then executed by Williams' Campaign Company. The Taxpayers’ Union maintains that the campaign was conducted solely between the Campaign Company and British American Tobacco.

Following the book's release, the Green Party and the Labour Party have both withdrawn from a series of electorate debates hosted by the Taxpayers’ Union. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and ACT Leader David Seymour have both dismissed the book.

How it developed

• Wed 23 Sep, 11:51amHager stated he has multiple credible sources for the sexual harassment allegation and that the matter was kept hidden from the board
• Wed 23 Sep, 4:45pmThe Green and Labour parties withdrew from upcoming debates following the book's release

Where reports differ

• Hager alleges the Taxpayers' Union paid Williams' Campaign Company to run a tobacco campaign, while the Union claims the work was directly between BAT and the Campaign Company
• Hager claims David Farrar used a National Party database to target mailouts, while Farrar denies accessing the database

Compiled from reports by NZ Herald, The Post, Newsroom, Stuff, 1News and Otago Daily Times.