There has been much talk about Napier's code of conduct and the perception that it is stopping councillors from speaking out. Let's hope this is not true.
Another casualty was Mark Hamilton, who lost out to Api Tapine - astoundingly the first Maori to be elected to the Napier City Council. Former Napier Girls' principal Claire Hague was never really in doubt and the same goes for former councillor Tania Wright.
It certainly gives Mr Dalton choices for his deputy mayor. He could go for Faye White, his solid and unthreatening deputy of last time, or he could turn to someone like Kirsten Wise or Ms Hague.
In the regional council elections, it is difficult to argue that ratepayers, particularly in the Napier and Hastings wards, have voted emphatically against the proposed Ruataniwha Dam.
The dam proposal, driven by council officials, was mostly given a green light by a 5-4 majority in favour. Chairman Fenton Wilson, deputy chair Christine Scott, Napier councillors Alan Dick and Dave Pipe and Central Hawke's Bay representative Debbie Hewitt ensured that all the boxes were ticked.
The anti-dam councillors, Rex Graham, Peter Beaven, Tom Belford and Rick Barker were always on the losing side.
But, there seems to have been a groundswell building in Napier and Hastings. Increasingly this newspaper started hearing about normally conservative, pro-establishment residents of Napier being strongly opposed to the dam being built.
Some of them were retired accountants, CFOs and businessmen who had done the sums on the back of an envelope and decided that the financial case for the dam did not stack up.
Paul Bailey, until recently a Green Party office holder and avowed anti-dam campaigner, put himself up for election again and this time he has found himself, along with incumbent Alan Dick and former councillor Neil Kirton, elected to the council. Mr Pipe and Ms Scott had not stood for re-election so there were two vacant seats.
The theory is that many dyed-in-the-wool National Party supporters have backed a Greenie (Bailey) in a bid to send a strong message that they do not want their rates spent on the dam.
There is no doubt there is still support for the dam, but it is the strategic voting of ratepayers that is revealing.
Mr Beaven was always going to beat unknown Dan Ross in the Ngaruroro ward, but the Hastings ward was more uncertain with experienced politicians Ms Bowers and Tim Gilbertson pitting themselves against incumbents Mr Graham, Mr Barker and Mr Belford.
Ms Bowers had previously polled very highly when she was elected to the Hastings District Council in previous elections and it seemed as if she may have the edge over Mr Belford.
But the incumbent trio held on to their seats and their victory (although not official at present), along with Mr Bailey's success, changes the ball game completely.
Add to the mix that dam fence-sitter Mr Kirton is known to favour winning sides, you could have a situation where a 5-4 majority in favour of the dam last term could become a 5-4 or even 6-3 advantage against the dam.
It is also likely that Mr Wilson will not be chair with either Mr Graham or (in exchange for joining the anti-team) Mr Kirton getting the nod. Whatever the numbers are, the big question is whether or not this new council can or will stop the dam from being built. Only time will tell.
There was much speculation before the elections about whether or not the Havelock North crisis and amalgamation from last year had inflicted a fatal wound on incumbent Mayor of Hastings Lawrence Yule, but although his margin was reduced, he still won comfortably. Local lawyer Guy Wellwood showed promise of being a viable alternative to Mr Yule, but was politically naive at times. Ms Pierce simply seemed out of her depth.
The big shock was Wayne Bradshaw's exit. He was an independent voice, but was probably perceived as being too negative.
The new blood on the council certainly brings varied skills. Damon Harvey, the Sport Hawke's Bay chairman, has been tipped as a possible deputy mayor, but incumbent councillor Sandra Hazlehurst, who got the most votes in her ward, probably thinks it is her turn after being loyal to Mr Yule.
Likely to make a big contribution to the council is Hastings Girls' High principal Geraldine Travers and Bayden Barber, the Chair of Health Hawke's Bay. Ms Travers like Ms Hague in Napier could count on her school community for votes, while word is that there was some big money behind Mr Barber and that his campaign was professionally run. The new face (for now as she is only two votes ahead of Jason Whaitiri) in the Heretaunga Ward is Ann Redstone.
Central Hawke's Bay has a new mayor and hopefully Alex Walker, who won quite easily in the end, can continue the enthusiasm and freshness she showed on the campaign trail.
The mood for change was obviously high among CHB voters with incumbents Kelly Annand and Ian Sharp being the only councillors seeking re-election who retained their seats. Turfed out were veterans Mark Willams and Maitland Manning.
The Tararua mayoralty also served up a surprise with Eketahuna dairy farmer Tracey Collis getting the nod to succeed retiring mayor Roly Ellis.
The Hawke's Bay District Health Board preliminary results has one surprise where IronMaori founder Heather Skipworth loses out to U-Turn Trust chief executive Ana Apatu.
From Wairoa to Tararau, the people have spoken. Now it is up to those who they elected to keep their campaign promises.
