Big Tech Little Tax: 2026 Update

Tax minimisation by tech giants continues to grow

In an update to our 2025 Big Tech Little Tax report, which explored how tech giants are minimising the tax they paid in Aotearoa New Zealand, we review the most recent financial statements of some of the biggest technology companies and look back over the last 5 years to examine the trends.  

Overall a conservative estimate of the tax loss to New Zealand over the last five years is over $600 million from just eight of the big tech companies. This excludes many tax minimising multinationals, including those that aren’t disclosing their financials.

Read the 2026 updated report

This updated research shows that for at least the past five years, many of these Big Tech companies have been describing as “service fees” payments to group companies that appear likely to be mainly for the use of intellectual property. These ought to be regarded as “royalties” under existing New Zealand law and double taxation agreements, and subject to withholding taxes.

By miscategorising these payments, Big Tech companies that are earning billions of dollars in New Zealand are avoiding these taxes and minimising the overall tax they are contributing back into our economy.

We’ve just seen Elon Musk be crowned the first trillionaire, and tech loomed large in the NBR’s Rich List. These companies are generating enormous profits for their executives and shareholders, relying on our infrastructure and services, but are not paying their fair share to maintain them. 

The Government needs to stand up for local businesses and hard working New Zealanders and make Big Tech pay.

Check out our recommendations for concrete steps the Government should take in our original report here.