Everyone wants more water

Tukituki River

And bam, the job is done. The Growers Action Group (GAG) have replaced sitting Hawke's Bay regional councillors with their four preferred candidates.

Many in Central Hawke's Bay (CHB) are concerned the new people will tip the balance against the dam project and possibly re-allocate resources to the Ngaruroro River catchment.

Grower anger at Twyford irrigation bans during the drought was the genesis of GAG's political action. The bans were to keep enough water in the river to stop river life from dying.

In March, I got a shock when my dog ran across the Tukituki River instead of swimming.

I walked across with dry knees. Two weeks later we scouted upstream of Twyford for good pheasant shooting in the upcoming hunting season. With the dogs overheating, it was time for a dip in the Ngaruroro River. We found a small stream under distant willows instead.

Everyone wants more water. The problem is: how do we prevent extra nutrient-laden run-off? Plan Change 6 is part of the Tukituki Catchment Proposal being considered by a board of inquiry and is designed to manage increased nutrients.

I am told there are holes in it but it will deal to the green summer slime. I remember an irrigation consultant telling a CHB farmers' field day that "Havelock North people don't like" the harmless slime.

They also don't like swimming in the half-treated sewage the CHB council has been dithering over.

I think common sense will prevail on the new regional council, despite the worry the four GAG councillors will reset council water policy. It's early days but they seem like a reasonable bunch to me.

Asking Tom Belford a question is like driving into an intersection controlled by a roundabout. His answer is at first a circuitous journey but delivers you in a logical and precise direction.

Rick Barker is a great speaker - old-school soapbox stuff. While he hasn't said anything yet, you have to have something upstairs to sustain the jokes. He is the one who scares Central Hawke's Bay the most - he votes Labour.

Peter Beaven was always a joy to speak to when he was head of Pipfruit New Zealand. He has a clear view of the both detail and the big picture, combined with a quick wit and gentlemanly manner. He understands both the growers' perspectives and has strong connections with anti-dam lobbyists.

Rex Graham showed his smarts by doing his campaign door-knocking with Jacoby Poulain. We have lost good men from the council. I hope the new crew can resist the temptation to elect a chairman from themselves. The stakes are too high for newcomers to take the wheel.