Dear Supporter,

Nominations for the 2022 Jonesie Awards for Government Waste are now open!

The Jonesies are our 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 nominations included Phil Twyford's $785 million bike bridge, Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick's seven deputies for her Chief Executive, Hamilton City Council's 8.9% rate hike to train council staff to make ducks out of lego, and Rt Hon Trevor Mallard's $300,000 in legal bills for a false accusation. Minister Grant Robertson took home the golden swine for Lifetime Achievement in Government 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 on 30 October.

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

Click here to submit your nominations for this year's awards.

This year’s award ceremony will be on Wednesday 9 November, 11 a.m. at Parliament and will be streamed to our members and supporters who can't attend in person. Keep an eye on our newsletter in the coming weeks for how to RSVP to come along in person.

Thank you for your support and to all of our financial supporters who make the Jonesies possible.

Jordan Williams Executive Director New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union.