Legislation to radically revamp the way local councils are run has been described in Parliament as evil.
MPs have been locked in a clause-by-clause debate on the Local Government Amendment Bill, which aims to limit councils to funding only core services.
Green MP Denise Roache told the House that it is evil for the Government to be revoking councils' legal responsibility to ensure the economic, social, cultural and environmental wellbeing of their ratepayers.
New Zealand First MP Denis O'Rourke argued the National-led Government always hated local government because it represents ordinary people and their needs.
But National MP Nick Smith says the bill is necessary because thousands of people are concerned about rates rises and council debt.
