Big questions, about the long-term viability of our current local government funding model

Wellington city councillors are voting on a 16-percent rates rise, rather than the 13.5-percent publicly consulted on.

Auckland councillors are also voting today -- on whether to increase rates by five percent, instead of the usual 3.5 percent, to cover a major investment in infrastructure.

Local Government New Zealand President Stuart Crosby says the current council funding model isn't working.

He says it's getting harder to fund the services councils are required to provide, to the levels of service they need to provide, and the growth they're having to accommodate.

Christchurch is also considering a five-percent average residential rates rise.