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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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, 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

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all. 

 

Justin Bieber: 8/10 

With 200 million followers, what he posted about us is worth its weight ten times over in gold, and is a very good reminder of what a special place we have here that's too often taken for granted. 

 

Dairy auction: 9/10 

Not just up, but up a chunk. Could actually move the farmgate price. Just when you think it's all brilliant, it gets more brilliant. 

 

Our NZ Super Fund: 8/10 

Another 14%+ return, but over the longer period it's consistently good and one of the best of its type in the world. That's what New Zealand is capable of. 

 

Gangs: 1/10 

The Māori Party, the Greens and, by association, Labour still couldn’t shake it this week. Could have been the turning point. 

 

Liam Lawson: 8/10 

If sources are right, he'll be confirmed this weekend for 2027, and is proof that if you work and deliver then all things are possible. 

 

LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW 

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Justin Bieber: 8/10&nbsp;
With 200 million followers, what he posted about us is worth its weight ten times over in gold, and is a very good reminder of what a special place we have here that's too often taken for granted.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Dairy auction: 9/10&nbsp;
Not just up, but up a chunk. Could actually move the farmgate price. Just when you think it's all brilliant, it gets more brilliant.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Our NZ Super Fund: 8/10&nbsp;
Another 14%+ return, but over the longer period it's consistently good and one of the best of its type in the world. That's what New Zealand is capable of.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Gangs: 1/10&nbsp;
The Māori Party, the Greens and, by association, Labour still couldn’t shake it this week. Could have been the turning point.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Liam Lawson: 8/10&nbsp;
If sources are right, he'll be confirmed this weekend for 2027, and is proof that if you work and deliver then all things are possible.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW&nbsp;

Mark the Week: Dairy keeps getting more brilliant

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c4f585a0-595b-42fa-85e9-b4eb0169d1b3/transcript

So a good week for National and, by association, for the Government in general. 

There has been a shift with two weeks to go. The gang drama might just have put a nail in Labour's chances of government. 

Their polling is now in trouble. Their gap to National is now a problem. 

Thomas Coughlan's piece yesterday talking of the issues they have found with lack of enrolment in South Auckland seems to have induced an amount of panic within the party. 

Not a lot has gone right for them this week. 

As far as I can see, it's the combo for the Government. All three players are campaigning well. 

ACT are still my medal winners for the week. They remained disciplined, on message and haven't put a foot wrong. On each debate their leader, if he doesn’t win, is consistent and clear. 

Winston, although not as disciplined, turns up enough when it counts to remind you he is still a force. 

Luxon's week seems to have been about good news. He hung out with farmers and kids in areas where they are fairly blue. He may or may not have won the debate, but none of the debates have damaged him in any way, shape or form. 

The poll movement, even if he doesn’t admit it, will have given him a spring and, probably most importantly, the poll that had twice as many of us thinking the economy will be better next year than think it will be worse is the sort of news an incumbent can't buy. 

It may be that their line that as we get closer more people get engaged and the more engaged they are, the more they sit with the Government, is right. 

This week might have been the week it settled in toward the coalition. 

The others look ropey. The Greens in their debate didn’t mention the environment once, Chlöe came on Newstalk ZB and sounded like a councillor created by AI and the Māori Party through Oriini Kaipara looked as separatist as ever. 

One group looked like adults while the other looked messy. 

And the Opportunity Party? The polls show a trend. The air is leaving the balloon. It's touch-and-go. 

I still say they won't make it. 

Labour must be praying they do. 

So a good week for National and, by association, for the Government in general.&nbsp;
There has been a shift with two weeks to go. The gang drama might just have put a nail in Labour's chances of government.&nbsp;
Their polling is now in trouble. Their gap to National is now a problem.&nbsp;
Thomas Coughlan's piece yesterday talking of the issues they have found with lack of enrolment in South Auckland seems to have induced an amount of panic within the party.&nbsp;
Not a lot has gone right for them this week.&nbsp;
As far as I can see, it's the combo for the Government. All three players are campaigning well.&nbsp;
ACT are still my medal winners for the week. They remained disciplined, on message and haven't put a foot wrong. On each debate their leader, if he doesn’t win, is consistent and clear.&nbsp;
Winston, although not as disciplined, turns up enough when it counts to remind you he is still a force.&nbsp;
Luxon's week seems to have been about good news. He hung out with farmers and kids in areas where they are fairly blue. He may or may not have won the debate, but none of the debates have damaged him in any way, shape or form.&nbsp;
The poll movement, even if he doesn’t admit it, will have given him a spring and, probably most importantly, the poll that had twice as many of us thinking the economy will be better next year than think it will be worse is the sort of news an incumbent can't buy.&nbsp;
It may be that their line that as we get closer more people get engaged and the more engaged they are, the more they sit with the Government, is right.&nbsp;
This week might have been the week it settled in toward the coalition.&nbsp;
The others look ropey. The Greens in their debate didn’t mention the environment once, Chlöe came on Newstalk ZB and sounded like a councillor created by AI and the Māori Party through Oriini Kaipara looked as separatist as ever.&nbsp;
One group looked like adults while the other looked messy.&nbsp;
And the Opportunity Party? The polls show a trend. The air is leaving the balloon. It's touch-and-go.&nbsp;
I still say they won't make it.&nbsp;
Labour must be praying they do.&nbsp;

Mike's Minute: The right bloc looked better than the left this week

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d89cfca3-f8ed-4aa0-af95-b4eb0166912f/transcript

Ahead of the long weekend, Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joined Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that Was. 

They discussed the latest from the election campaigning, the aforementioned long weekend for Labour Day, and what makes a business successful. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Ahead of the long weekend, Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joined Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that Was.&nbsp;
They discussed the latest from the election campaigning, the aforementioned long weekend for Labour Day, and what makes a business successful.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Wrapping the Week with Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson: Election campaign, long weekends, business success

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/9a894098-cc02-4e13-8b1a-b4eb0161c1e6/transcript

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

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