There's been growing calls to make churches pay more in tax - and the Government is set to review this in the upcoming Budget.

But after over a decade of research, one academic has changed her mind and now believes churches should pay less taxes and receive more funding from the Government.

Dr Juliet Chevalier-Watts, Associate Professor at Waikato University's Faculty of Law, says she's been researching the economic impact and value of religious charities in New Zealand. 

"It blew my mind...and quite often, the reason why we don't know about this amazing work that they carry out is because they hide it under a bushel, unfortunately. They don't do themselves any favours doing that."

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There's been growing calls to make churches pay more in tax - and the Government is set to review this in the upcoming Budget.
But after over a decade of research, one academic has changed her mind and now believes churches should pay less taxes and receive more funding from the Government.
Dr Juliet Chevalier-Watts, Associate Professor at Waikato University's Faculty of Law, says she's been researching the economic impact and value of religious charities in New Zealand.&nbsp;
"It blew my mind...and quite often, the reason why we don't know about this amazing work that they carry out is because they hide it under a bushel, unfortunately. They don't do themselves any favours doing that."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Dr Juliet Chevalier-Watts: Waikato law professor reveals why she changed her mind on taxing churches

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/a639cfae-0edc-4182-a602-b2aa003d90ea/transcript