Labour's Local Government spokesman's pushed back on the Prime Minister's characterisation of councils across the country.

On Wednesday, Chris Luxon launched a broadside against local government -- telling them to get back to basics with theirs spending.

Chris Hipkins today apologised to councillors and mayors for the PM's attack; and Kieran McAnulty told Heather du Plessis-Allan that Luxon was out of line.

He says what Luxon said was patronising and wrong, and it's the Government that sets the system that the Councils have to work in.

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