A new IRD report has found that the wealthiest New Zealanders pay tax at half the rate of ordinary people.

This IRD study reveals a sample of over 300 New Zealanders paid a median effective tax rate of 9.4 percent.

Revenue Minister David Parker said the report shows that "middle wealth" Kiwis pay higher tax rates than their richer counterparts.

ZB's senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Labour is utilising the 'politics of envy', a strategy that's worked well for them in the past.

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