There's been complaints from local Government officials following the Prime Minister's 'back to basics' speech.

Speaking at the LGNZ Conference, Chris Luxon has said councils need to rein in spending, even calling the Takina convention centre hosting the event a 'waste of money'.

Regional councillor Thomas Nash slammed the speech on social media as mana-diminishing, paternalistic, and visionless.

Nash says he wanted to the Prime Minister to present a vision for the future.

"And we need actually to work together - rather than just sling mud at each other."

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