It is How Things Work morning at Kia Kaha primary school.
Room 13 is learning how tax works.
Ms Barry says,
Who can tell me what tax is?
Thomas says,
Theft Miss.
Ms Barry says,
Why do you say that Thomas?
Thomas says,
Because it says so on the sticker.
Thomas is pointing at the ute that belongs to Phil the electrician.
It has a lot of bumper stickers.
One says Taxation is Theft
Another one says Say No to Three Waters and Thieving Maori Elites
Another one says Make Ardern Go Away
Phil the electrician used to come into Room 13 during class and put up his ladder and go crash and bang and fix the extractor fan.
But he is not allowed to do that any more.
That is not because he makes a lot of noise.
It is because of what he said when Ms Barry was speaking Te Reo.
Ms Barry says,
Anyone else?
Ciara says,
Itās money you pay the government, Miss.
Like a donation only compulsory.
Ms Barry says,
That's very good Ciara.
And can anyone tell me why people have to pay it?
Caleb says,
So that bludgers can get a free ride Miss?
Ms Barry says,
Did Grandad drive you to school again this morning, Caleb?
Caleb nods.
Ms Barry says,
Thatās something people will say about taxes, that you pay your taxes and it all gets spent on bludgers.
But itās not really right.
Ms Barry says,
I thought we might make this a bit more fun by having some pizza while we learn.
Who would like pizza?
Everyone puts their hand up.
Miss Barry says,
Hereās what weāll do.
You tell me something that the government spends taxes on,
and I'll cut you a piece of pizza according to how much of a share that is of all the taxes.
So if it's a lot of taxes that get spent on that thing,
you'll get a big piece.
And if it's a little share of the taxes,
you'll get a little piece.
Patrick likes pizza a lot. He says,
Police Miss, they must spend heaps on Police.
Ms Barry says,
Actually the share for Police is 1.5% so you get this little skinny wedge, Patrick here you go.
Patrick does a sad face and acts like he is dying of starvation.
The children laugh.
Moana says,
Hospitals, Miss, and all the vaccines and Covid stuff and everything.
That must be heaps.
Ms Barry says,
You're right, Moana. The health budget is about 15%
and she cuts Moana a very big piece.
Ms Barry says,
Would you like to share it with Amelia and Tash?
Moana nods. Amelia and Tash smile.
Ciara says,
What about schools Miss?
Ms Barry says,
Yes, they cost a lot of money, that's 10%.
And she starts cutting a very big slice for Ciara.
Jordan says,
What about dole bludgers Miss?
Jordan thinks he is going to get a very big piece.
Ms Barry says,
Do you mean beneficiaries, Jordan?
Like, people who are looking for work or who can't work because they're sick?
Jordan feels a little bit uncomfortable now.
Jordan says,
Yes Miss, them.
Ms Barry starts cutting a slice.
It is bigger than Patrick's.
But it is not nearly as big as Moanaās or Ciaraās.
She says,
This is a 4% slice.
Can anyone think of a slice that might be bigger for people who get a benefit?
The children look at Ms Barry
Ms Barry says,
Who has a Nana or a Grandpa?
Everyone puts up their hand.
Ms Barry says,
If your Nana or Grandpa is over 65 they get superannuation.
Who would like the slice for superannuation?
Ms Barry starts cutting.
It is a very very big slice.
It is almost as big as Moana's.
She says,
This is 10%, but maybe weāll cut it into smaller bits.
Zac says,
What about the army Miss?
Zach thinks he will get a very big piece.
But it is a very small piece.
It is not easy to guess how much pizza gets spent on taxes.
Tahlia says,
Miss, what about cycleways?
Ms Barry says,
Are you not feeling very hungry today Tahlia?
and puts an anchovy on a napkin for her.
Ms Barry says,
It doesn't actually add up to a whole anchovy but, here, have a mushroom as well.
Ms Barry says,
Those are some of the things taxes get spent on.
Do we think it's a good idea to spend money so that if you get sick there is a hospital to go to?
And is it a good idea that everyone can go to school for free?
And is it a good idea that if you don't have any work there will be some money for you to keep buying groceries for your family?
The children nod.
Ms Barry says,
Now here's the other part.
Does anyone know how much tax people pay?
Zac says,
Everything they got Miss,
that's what Dad says to the accountant every time he rings him up.
He says all my bloody money goes in taxes mate what kind of accountant are you?
Ms Barry says,
Actually thatās not really right Zac,
for people who earn a lot itās more like a third of what you earn
and for a lot of people it's more like a quarter.
Zac says,
Are you sure Miss, what about GST,
that's another thing that Dadās always saying,
he says you know what GST stands for it stands for Get Stuffed Taxpayer.
Ms Barry says
Well yes, thereās GST as well,
so that means you're paying some more tax whenever you buy things.
But even after you add up all the taxes we pay,
people get to keep more of what they earn than what they have to pay.
Saskia says,
But Miss is it fair that if you work harder and make more money they take more off you?
Ms Barry says,
Saskia, you know how in netball sometimes you might do more than the others to win the game,
but you still say we won, not I won?
Saskia nods.
Ms Barry says,
Well it's a little bit like that.
Weāre all in it together but some of us are in a position to contribute a bit more to make sure that we win together.
Tane says,
Miss,
Mum works so hard cleaning at the hospital at night that she comes home and falls asleep at the table but she hardly gets paid anything.
So I don't know how true it is that if you work harder you get paid more.
Ms Barry says
That's a good point Tane.
And here's something else to think about.
If you buy a house for $1 million and sell it a few years later for $2 million,
how much tax do you think you would pay for that?
Tane says,
No idea Miss.
Ms Barry says,
Strangely enough the answer is no tax at all.
Tane says,
So should Philās sticker actually say Property is Theft Miss?
Ms Barry smiles and says,
Those are good questions Tane. Have some pepperoni.
