Dear Supporter,

It’s almost time for our second annual Jonesie Awards, celebrating the 'best of the worst' of wasteful spending across central and local government.

The Jonesies are our golden glitz and glamour Oscars-style award ceremony held at Parliament where the Taxpayers' Union (firmly tongue-in-cheek) recognise those most specious examples of waste.

Last year’s winners included Auckland Council for its $91,000 “vegan-approved” goat hunt (in which no goats were killed), and the Film Commission for its “Power Rangers pavlova” which saw Warner Brothers paid $1.6 million in taxpayer money to include a Kiwi pav in a children’s TV show. Shane Jones 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 20 September.

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

Click here to submit your nomination.

This year’s award ceremony will be on Thursday 3 October at Parliament. We'll be sending invites to our members and supporters in the coming weeks.

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

Jordan Williams Executive Director New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union