The top income tax rate of 39 percent brought in more than $800 million in revenue the first year it was introduced.
And even more surprising is that some of the taxpayers in that bracket say they want to pay even more.
This year's extreme weather and its devastation has made some wealthy Kiwis wonder why on Earth politicians are talking about tax cuts.
"We've got a lot of investment to do in the future because we've got to get ready for a completely new climate coming our way and we're not. And where does that money come from, you know?" Ecostore founder Malcolm Rands said.
Rands is in the top income tax bracket - 39 percent - introduced three years ago which Newshub can reveal brought in $816 million in its first year.
"We sometimes get told it's really hard to raise new tax revenue, that people who are well-off will find ways around it. But actually raising $800 million in the first year shows these things are effective," said Victoria University inequality researcher Max Rashbrooke.
"Revenue raised goes towards our public services, our health systems, our transport systems," added Revenue Minister Barbara Edmonds.
National says if in Government, it'll keep that 39 percent rate for the first term but isn't ruling out repealing it later.
"Well the government is collecting a record amount of tax from New Zealanders and what that shows us is that it will be affordable to deliver tax reduction to average-income New Zealanders," National deputy leader Nicola Willis said.
"National really need to come up with their fiscal plan because they're promising a lot of things, and we haven't seen any costings for it," Edmonds countered.
New Zealand's 39 percent top personal tax rate is low internationally. The UK charges 45 percent, Australia 47 percent and Sweden 57 percent. And some of the Kiwis being taxed at the top rate reckon bump it up.
"Me and my mates think we could pay a bit more, we can afford it. Why shouldn't we chip in?" Rands asked.
Parliament's currently deciding whether to apply the 39 percent tax rate to trustees too. Both National and Labour agree on that so watch this space.
