Hamilton City Councillor Andrew Bydder highlights the deep flaws in New Zealand’s local government, from excessive bureaucracy to poor leadership and wasteful spending. He argues that councils are dominated by unelected officials, leaving elected representatives with little real power. With decades of experience in construction, Bydder exposes how red tape and inefficiency have crippled productivity, driving up costs and making housing unaffordable. He calls for urgent reforms, greater accountability, and stronger leadership to fix the system.