National has never denied the challenges we face, nor have we ever said that reform is not required in this area. The case for reform is clear; the case for Labour's mega entities is not. Since becoming the National Party's spokesman for local government, I've travelled up and down this country talking to mayors and local councils, because that's where building effective relationships and solutions starts. But in their quest for more Wellington bureaucracy, this Labour Government has forgotten the importance of involving local communities. Every mayor and councillor I talk to highlights to me the variety of issues that they face. They all have unique challenges, but they also share an ambition to deliver the improvements for their local communities that they need: local perspectives and local commitments. A mega entity created by this Labour Government will never match that. 