Councils in New Zealand are in a precarious position and require a significant overhaul to secure their future which could include four-year terms, lowering the voting age to 16, amalgamation, and an annual transfer from central government starting at $1 billion.

The independent Future for Local Government panel released its report into the sector last month after two years of work and meeting with every council in the country as well as other stakeholders.

Panel chairman Jim Palmer joins Georgina on the podcast this week to discuss some of the recommendations and why local government needs an overhaul.