Editorial: Yes please to regional study idea

FACING up to community problems is not always an easy thing to do.

One of the most pressing problems our region has is our poor economic performance.

If the region could do better for itself, secure more employment and create more shared wealth, we would see an improvement in indicators of social well-being.

We would stand a far better chance of improving our overall health, education and family violence statistics with more people employed and higher household incomes across the region.

So how do we get there? How does Hawke's Bay move forward?

The answers have to come from ourselves, from our own effort and interest in achieving a better future for the region.

We should applaud the bravery of the community and business leaders who have put their names and faces to a campaign launched at the weekend to agitate for a better performing Hawke's Bay.

They are all people with vision and passion who understand that our problems are inter-linked and that we need an independent, region-wide study into the steps required to make Hawke's Bay a better place to live and work.

At this point, I can hear some people thinking "this is about council amalgamation" but that is not correct. Not at this point in time.

Yes, some of the supporters of this campaign believe that governance issues need addressing. But just as many, possibly the majority, simply want a better performing Hawke's Bay and believe an independent study is the next step toward creating a roadmap to more prosperity.

They are right and, as Hawke's Bay Today has previously said, more information is needed on which to base our future decisions. We can't get that information without asking questions. Hence our support for an independent study.

As Napier's Stuart McLauchlan, the spokesman for the group, says: "We do not think that there should be any predetermined outcomes or solutions. We are concerned that we are missing out on taking the opportunities which will provide the jobs and career prospects here in Hawke's Bay for our children and grandchildren."

He specifically makes the point that this group is not pushing the five Hawke's Bay councils to merge but is asking for an "overall study which looks at the region's economic performance, social well-being, local body governance and environmental challenges".

Hawke's Bay Regional Council has been asked to contribute toward an independent study and is scheduled to make its decision on Wednesday. For the sake of the region, it is to be hoped that answer is 'yes'.