An independent panel on local government thinks councils are losing the trust of their communities, and their consultation processes are excluding many people from participating. It comes amid three waters reforms, low voter turnout, and concerns about the amount of work needed to tackle climate change. Among the 29 proposals: it recommends lowering the voting age to 16, increasing term limits to 4 years, and have mana whenua appointees alongside elected Maori ward councillors. The chair of the panel Jim Palmer spoke to Charlotte Cook about how those ideas might get more people involved in local government.