An assurance a council rates cap will only target unnecessary costs, not community services or infrastructure.
By 2029, councils wanting to increase rates by more than 4% will need approval from a government-appointed regulator.
Water rates are excluded from the cap.
Local Government Minister Simon Watts told Mike Hosking this will be an education process for councils.
He says there's a lot of fat in the system and councils need to ensure cash has to be going into essential areas.
Watts says he will work with the industry, not against them.
LISTEN ABOVE

Mike's Minute: Not everything is a conspiracy
02:09

Ben Kennings: Surfing NZ CEO on the World Surf League event at Raglan's Manu Bay
03:24

Steve Jurkovich: Kiwibank CEO gives economic lay of the land ahead of Budget, OCR announcement
05:33