The Government is focusing council reform efforts on those who are willing to amalgamate. 

It will be looking at 18 proposals put forward under its Head Start programme. 

Local Government Minister Simon Watts says work will start now, and they'll make final decisions early next year.  

He told Mike Hosking the plans for those who haven't participated will come later down the track. 

Watts says there will be a back stop for them, but work won't start on those until next year. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The Government is focusing council reform efforts on those who are willing to amalgamate.&nbsp;
It will be looking at 18 proposals put forward under its Head Start programme.&nbsp;
Local Government Minister Simon Watts says work will start now, and they'll make final decisions early next year. &nbsp;
He told Mike Hosking the plans for those who haven't participated will come later down the track.&nbsp;
Watts says there will be a back stop for them, but work won't start on those until next year.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

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The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show. Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda. The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more. The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion,...

The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Simon Watts: Local Government Minister on the plans for council reform, amalgamation

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/472e0081-09ea-4ba9-ae06-b4a2014e90cd/transcript

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 24th of August, Labour has, kind of, released their fiscal strategy for the election and there are questions to ask so Chris Hipkins is on the show.

The Prime Minister is on after ruling out any new taxes, proving this election is between tax or not.

Andrew Saville and Jason Pine talk a brilliant weekend of sport between the AB's, the Warriors going top of the table and Liam Lawson.

Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

LISTEN ABOVE

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 24th of August, Labour has, kind of, released their fiscal strategy for the election and there are questions to ask so Chris Hipkins is on the show.
The Prime Minister is on after ruling out any new taxes, proving this election is between tax or not.
Andrew Saville and Jason Pine talk a brilliant weekend of sport between the AB's, the Warriors going top of the table and Liam Lawson.
Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
LISTEN ABOVE

Full Show Podcast: 24 August 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/60e943f5-b751-4498-9a52-b4af015d73ee/transcript

Right, a poll the Government should be worried about - whose fault is the economy?

The importance of this is based on the simple premise that this election is about one thing, which is the state of the place.

Is it getting better, or not?

Do you see a brighter future, or not?

Forget all the other issues and policies because they're frippery. All that matters is the state of your wallet, your finances, your lifestyle, your hopes and your aspirations.

The Government will argue they inherited a mess and it was so big that it takes time to turn it all around.

For a while they had us onside. We believed them, mainly because it was true.

History will show what labour did 2017-23, and particularly 2020-23 is one for the record books.

Things were coming right until the war then the momentum was lost.

It's now back, to a degree. GDP is growing and major sectors like manufacturing and services are in expansion. Jobs are still an issue and confidence is fragile.

So their job is to re-convince you that they had it in hand but Trump got in the way. "Just stick with us and she'll be right".

So, to the poll Horizon did in the early part of this month.

31% say yep, it's Trump's fault. 17% say it was Labour. But 29% say it's on this Government.

Now like all polls, you can read it a million ways. The 31% who say Trump and the 17% who say Labour makes 48%. That is not a majority.

31%, 17% and the 29% blaming the Government makes up 77%, so that’s 23% who don't know.

Between the "don’t knows" and the 48% you can talk your way to victory. But if the 23% of "don't knows" go with the 17%, at 40% that's a lot of people who don’t believe you and you're in trouble.

You could be positive and suggest that the 29% who think it's on the Government is not actually that many, so their argument is landing well.

But they would need to swing a few of the "don’t knows" their way to make sure.

Either way, this is what this vote comes down to. The evidence, although there and growing, is not cemented in enough yet to feel really confident.

On these numbers I would rather be the Government than not.

But on these numbers it is still all there to play for.  

LISTEN ABOVE

Right, a poll the Government should be worried about - whose fault is the economy?
The importance of this is based on the simple premise that this election is about one thing, which is the state of the place.
Is it getting better, or not?
Do you see a brighter future, or not?
Forget all the other issues and policies because they're frippery. All that matters is the state of your wallet, your finances, your lifestyle, your hopes and your aspirations.
The Government will argue they inherited a mess and it was so big that it takes time to turn it all around.
For a while they had us onside. We believed them, mainly because it was true.
History will show what labour did 2017-23, and particularly 2020-23 is one for the record books.
Things were coming right until the war then the momentum was lost.
It's now back, to a degree. GDP is growing and major sectors like manufacturing and services are in expansion. Jobs are still an issue and confidence is fragile.
So their job is to re-convince you that they had it in hand but Trump got in the way. "Just stick with us and she'll be right".
So, to the poll Horizon did in the early part of this month.
31% say yep, it's Trump's fault. 17% say it was Labour. But 29% say it's on this Government.
Now like all polls, you can read it a million ways. The 31% who say Trump and the 17% who say Labour makes 48%. That is not a majority.
31%, 17% and the 29% blaming the Government makes up 77%, so that’s 23% who don't know.
Between the "don’t knows" and the 48% you can talk your way to victory. But if the 23% of "don't knows" go with the 17%, at 40% that's a lot of people who don’t believe you and you're in trouble.
You could be positive and suggest that the 29% who think it's on the Government is not actually that many, so their argument is landing well.
But they would need to swing a few of the "don’t knows" their way to make sure.
Either way, this is what this vote comes down to. The evidence, although there and growing, is not cemented in enough yet to feel really confident.
On these numbers I would rather be the Government than not.
But on these numbers it is still all there to play for. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Mike's Minute: The only thing deciding this election is the economy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/0a3b921d-dfeb-4274-89cd-b4af01540fb8/transcript

The All Blacks pulled off the near-impossible at Ellis Park, beating the Springboks 33-16.

They next face the Springboks on Sunday, but have to clear the Lions before they head to Cape Town. 

Newstalk ZB's Rugby Editor Elliott Smith says it'll be a tricky match, but the All Blacks can't be breezy about the game, if they want a second victory over the Springboks this weekend. 

LISTEN ABOVE

The All Blacks pulled off the near-impossible at Ellis Park, beating the Springboks 33-16.
They next face the Springboks on Sunday, but have to clear the Lions before they head to Cape Town.&nbsp;
Newstalk ZB's Rugby Editor Elliott Smith says it'll be a tricky match, but the All Blacks can't be breezy about the game, if they want a second victory over the Springboks this weekend.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Elliott Smith: Newstalk ZB's Rugby Editor looks ahead to Lions fixture before facing the Boks again this weekend

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/15971ec5-deff-4a3c-be98-b4af014f34a4/transcript

Simon Watts: Local Government Minister on the plans for council reform, amalgamation

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