'All hands to the pump' - chairman

Fenton Wilson says there is work to be done for the Bay to prosper. Photo / File

It will be business as usual today for Hawke's Bay Regional Council chairman Fenton Wilson - there's a regional planning committee meeting at 11am.

But it doesn't mean things aren't going to change for the Wairoa farmer, who was at the home of Napier Mayor Bill Dalton last night toasting the defeat of the Hawke's Bay local government reorganisation poll.

Stating his opposition publicly less than a fortnight ago, a latecomer amongst the leaders of the five councils involved in the merger proposal, Mr Wilson recognises there is work to be done for Hawke's Bay to prosper.

"It's going to take all hands to the pump, so let's get on with it," he said, reflecting on a period of turmoil for councils during a three-year debate over the issue. "This is Hawke's Bay's time.

"During this year during some decision some of the amalgamation stuff has always been at the back of the mind."

The vote against the merger had come as no surprise.

"It was always going to the people of Hawke's Bay having their way. That's the best thing in my view," Mr Wilson said.

"Despite all this, Hawke's Bay has been going ahead.

"Just look at the pipfruit industry, which is a fantastic story ... local bodies haven't really featured in it at all."