The head of the country's local government body wants more power for his councils.

A Local Government New Zealand survey has found 54 per cent of people believe locally controlled services would be more responsive to local needs.

Dunedin Mayor and Local Government NZ president, Dave Cull told Kate Hawkesby current systems see powers taken away.

"It gets appealed to Wellington ad there is an organisation in Wellington which makes the decisions."

The survey also found more than half of people believe management of training organisations should stay in local hands.