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.
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