Local Government New Zealand says reversing councils' ability to decide on Maori wards is a "slap in the face" from central Government.
The Coalition announced councils that brought in Māori wards without polling residents will either need to hold a binding referenda or scrap the wards they've set up.
It said this is needed to reverse changes that were divisive and which denied communities the ability to determine whether Maori wards should be established.
But Campbell Barry, the vice-president of Local Government New Zealand, says the Government is dictating to councils, and the timing couldn't be worse.
Barry spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
