There has been a lot of discussion in the community over the relationship between the two entities, and how it has changed in the past three years.
Departing councillors speak of being hamstrung by central government, with unpopular marching orders and steep bills, as the responsibilities of district councils continue to grow.
Gore District Council chief executive Debbie Lascelles, in a statement, said these concerns were "certainly valid", and this was an issue all of New Zealand was facing.
"Local Government New Zealand has repeatedly spoken out about a long-standing pattern of cost-shifting, where the government places responsibilities on councils without providing corresponding funding, thereby creating financial strain."
Ms Lascelles said councils were struggling to balance increased responsibilities and rising infrastructure deficits with the current rates funding system, and called it "not sustainable without recalibration".
Ms Lascelles said the communication directed towards councils did not help the issue.
"It is disappointing that, on the one hand, the government is foisting more responsibility and costs on councils, while chastising them for being inefficient and financially irresponsible with the other hand."
Minister for Local Government Simon Watts, in a statement, said the Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill would help provide clearer direction for councils.
It would help them to "balance the need for investment with rates affordability", and help ensure future rates rises were in a reasonable range.
Mr Watts said councils needed to get back to basics and were ultimately responsible for how rates were spent.
Ratepayers were rightfully concerned over unsustainable rates rises, but an exploration of a rates-capping model and core services could help the issue.
City and regional deals would have central government working with councils in long-term partnerships, and Mr Watts said it had a number of objectives to attain.
These included better co-ordination between the two, "unlocking regions’ potential", housing growth and better management of assets and infrastructure.
The resource management reform also had central government examining the role of regional councils.
Mr Watts said the government was examining various leads through the reform, which would carry on through into the next term of local government.
"Regional councillors staying in their roles will have the chance to be part of the reform journey, whatever it may look like."
