Shane Jones is standing firm on his plans to soften the line between governance and bureaucracy.

The Regional Development Minister argues it will speed up the process for funding projects - and wants ministers to be able to appoint top officials.

Jones told Mike Hosking he's not going to back down when there's too much red tape.

"I've had a gutsful in my view of the ponderous approach and if we can't turn the fortunes of the regions around in a relatively short time ... I've got every right to stand up and say right I cannot tolerate the bureaucracy."

LISTEN ABOVE AS SHANE JONES SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING