Dear Supporter,

The invites have been sent, the red carpet booked, pig trophies polished, and Porky's tux is back from the dry cleaner. All that's needed now is your nominations for the 2020 Jonesies.

The Jonesies are our golden glitz and glamour Oscars-style award ceremony held at Parliament where the Taxpayers' Union (firmly tongue-in-cheek) recognises the 'best of the worst' of wasteful spending across central and local government.

Last year’s winners included Palmerston North City Council for its $391,000 corporate welfare handout to Toyota, and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for her hypocritical inquiry into high fuel prices that ignored the effect of the excise tax (which makes up half the price!). Sir Timothy Shadbolt took home the golden swine for Lifetime Achievement in Waste.

We’re now seeking your nominations for the most appalling or absurd uses of taxpayer or ratepayer money to emerge in the last year. Nominations close at 5pm on 9 July.

There are three categories: Local Government, Central Government, and Lifetime Achievement.

Click here to submit your nomination.

This year’s award ceremony will be on Wednesday 15 July at Parliament live-streamed to our members and supporters who can't attend in person.

Thank you for your support and to all our donors who make the Jonesies possible.

Louis Houlbrooke Campaigns Manager New Zealand Taxpayers' Union