Can councils deliver more with less under a 4% rates limit?

The Government wants to force councils to keep rate hikes at a maximum 4% from 2029.  Councils would be expected to prepare for the change from next July.  Local Government Minister Simon Watts has said it'll ease cost-of-living pressures and get councils back to basics.  But, what will a lower income coming in mean for our core services? And how do we get councils to spend more wisely?  Local Government New Zealand reckons councils can't be expected to deliver more infrastructure and support growth with fewer levers.  Today on The Front Page, the Taxpayer's Union's Jordan Williams is with us to walk through the numbers and what our rates bills might look like in future.  Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.