Community in Hawke's Bay reacts to weekend's election results

Napier mayor Bill Dalton said the results were exactly as expected and he admired everyone who had put their name forward. Photo/File

Community reaction to Saturday's general election results has been mostly positive in Hawke's Bay.

Figures were no surprise to local mayors and community group representatives who were pleased with results in Tukituki, Napier, Ikaroa-Rawhiti and Wairarapa.

Napier mayor Bill Dalton said the results were exactly as expected and he admired everyone who had put their name forward.

It was no surprise that Stuart Nash had been re-elected Labour MP for Napier because he had shown himself to be a strong and reliable MP, Mr Dalton said.

Hastings acting mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said the results were very good for former mayor Lawrence Yule, who was chosen as National MP for Tukituki.

Tararua mayor Tracey Collis said the election was very close and had garnered a lot of interest in her district.

She was also pleased to hear Mr Yule had been elected because his local government experience would be beneficial.

Central Hawke's Bay mayor Alex Walker also agreed that it was a tight race, especially in Tukituki and Wairarapa, which was really good for politics and for Hawke's Bay.

But Wairoa mayor Craig Little he felt his district had been slightly forgotten during the election. He said it had been visited by only a few candidates and they were from Labour and the Maori Party.

Hawke's Bay Regional Council chairman Rex Graham said he was not surprised by the results and was very pleased his friend Mr Yule had been elected.

However, he said he was disappointed for the Labour candidate for Tukituki, Anna Lorck, because she had worked so hard and was very dedicated.

"It was quite difficult for the people of Tukituki."

Mr Graham had expected Mr Nash to get through over National's David Elliott in Napier because of his continued popularity within the role.

Many people in the district gave the National Party their tick but voted for Mr Nash.

Mr Graham said he was also very pleased for Labour's Meka Whaitiri in Ikaroa-Rawhiti, who was voted in again, because she was a real asset to Hawke's Bay.

"It was a pleasing result all round."

Community Housing Action Team spokeswoman Michelle Pyke said she would be waiting to see what happened with the special votes but was pleased Mr Nash and Ms Whaitiri were re-elected because they had done good work for housing.

Sensible Sentencing Trust founder Garth McVicar said he was happy Mr Nash had been voted in again and he was not surprised Mr Yule had been chosen due his experience and the high amount of support he had.