Local Government New Zealand wants to put the power back to the people, and move away from what it describes as centralised governance.

LGNZ has launched 'Project Localism' - which would empower local council to have greater responsibilities.

President and Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull told Mike Hosking councils need more power to raise local taxes outside of property rates.

"It's too much to expect it all to come from ratepayers. They can't keep affording the rise and rise of rates. It might be a number of different things, it might be a small GST, it might be local sale taxes, it might be local tourist taxes."

Cull says just 12 percent of taxes go to local councils, yet they have increasing responsibilities.

LISTEN ABOVE AS DAVE CULL SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING