The Finance Minister has accused mayors and councillors of ignoring their bases when it comes to spending. 

Speaking at Thursday's Local Government New Zealand conference on Wednesday, Chris Luxon told councils to tighten their belts and stop wasteful spending.

Nicola Willis says city and regional councils have lost touch with their ratepayers.

"For mayors and councillors, in some cases, to be so out of touch with that - is a real worry."

LISTEN ABOVE

• Watch: PM speaks to media after stern message to councils
• The Huddle: Do local councils need to rein in the spending?
• 'Visionless': Wellington Regional Council fires back at Luxon's calls to rein in spending