Budget 2017: Hopes for spending to flow into regions

Reaction to this year's budget from the region's mayors and the regional council chairman has ranged from glowing to cautiously optimistic.

Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule said that the Government had already proved it was listening to the region through the recent announcement that more new police officers would be added to the local force.

"Last year our community was really worried about law and order.

"We took a remit through the council to Local Government New Zealand and the government has listened - we are going to get more new police officers."

He said the announcement that $4 billion would be spent on infrastructure across education, health, defence, justice, housing, the primary sector and transport was unprecedented.

"This is one of the most extensive spends in history - we are yet to know what that means for Hawke's Bay but we will get a share of it - I would be surprised if there was not further investment in local roading, including from Napier to Wairoa."

Napier mayor Bill Dalton was also optimistic about the commitment to infrastructure spending on state highways and the potential to improve the route to Wairoa.

"If we can just get a little slice of that to do up the Wairoa road that would be fabulous for the whole Hawke's Bay economy.

"Wairoa is a hidden gem of Hawke's Bay - the only thing holding it back is access."

He said that overall it was very much an election year budget but it also reflected how well the economy was doing.

"You have got to give the Government credit for that."

Wairoa mayor Craig Little said that although he had not read the budget thoroughly when contacted yesterday, it sounded as though there would be some benefit for families.

"I just hope this stuff for families is great, and it should be, because children are the future of our country," he said.

On the tax cuts offered by the budget, Mr Little said he thought residents could enjoy having the extra money.

"But to be quite honest they're talking $10, or $20, which is pittance when people are struggling."

He said he was disappointed not to have seen more initiatives, or investment, for rural New Zealand.

"With all the people coming into New Zealand and Auckland getting overloaded you'd think there'd be some initiative or encouragement for people to move out to other areas."

Central Hawke's Bay mayor Alex Walker said it was a very positive budget for Central Hawke's Bay's lower income earners to get some of their tax back in their pockets.

She also welcomed extra spending on Research and Development and innovation.
"Innovation is something we in CHB do well already but we need to do more.

"The spending on innovation around land use and nutrient management is key for us when the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme is built and we have leading farmers in that space."

Tararua District mayor Tracey Collis said it was great to see assistance being given to families, as anything that helps them then flows back into the community.

Hawke's Bay Regional Council chairman Rex Graham said presenting a budget in a buoyant economy was a wonderful opportunity.

"The government seems to be making efforts to help the poorest people in society."