The Government's under fire for spending millions on consultants for its Three Waters reform.

Newstalk ZB can reveal more than $16 million has been paid to contractors in the past Financial Year.

Deputy Political Editor Jason Walls says the Government's confirmed even more will be spent in the coming year.

Spending's included $100,000 dollars for a virtual showcase of Aussie initiatives, and almost $2 million on policy services.

National's Simon Watts says it shows the Government's over-reliant on consultants.

The Government admits it's more than usually spent on policy work, but it says these reforms are complex.

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