Local councils want to be included on any future referendum on Government term lengths

As part of the Coalition agreement with ACT, the Government will present a bill on a referendum for four-year-long terms.

Local Government New Zealand is looking at ways to improve voter turnout - and believe extending terms could be part of the answer.

However, its Reform Group Chair Mayor Nick Smith, told Q&A local and central Government must do it together to avoid election year crossovers.

He says polls show support is longer terms is stronger for local councils than Parliament.