Faye White: United, we'll give NZ six of the best

Faye White

I'm over the personal attacks on our Napier mayor.
I'm sure many of our region's residents are, as well. It is damaging Hawke's Bay's image and stifling our thinking.
It is time to put away the poison pens and put on our positive hats. It is time for us to stand tall together. It is time for us to recognise the fact that Hawke's Bay is the BEST region in New Zealand in which to live, work and raise our children. It is time to recognise who we are, what we do well and how we can improve our region to create job opportunities and stimulate our economy.
So how do we all get back on the same page and stop our region from splitting at the seams?
Firstly, let's remember to keep to the facts. Facts are facts and audited financial data provides facts. Personal attacks should be seen for what they are. Time to grow up, guys.
Secondly, let's applaud and support the Hawke's Bay Regional Council which has outlined for the region what it sees as being "The Big Six" priorities facing Hawke's Bay. These six priorities relate to our energy future, climate change, regional economic development, wise land use and our relationship with Maori, and are seen as being key drivers in improving our whole region.
With the Ruataniwha Dam at its now-or-never stage, it appears the regional council representatives are unanimous on the point that they all believe water storage is required to mitigate the effects of climate change. What it comes down to now is getting them to agree how that should be done, so let's leave them to get on with it.
You only need to have watched Annabel Langbein on Saturday night TV to see how people love coming to our region, and why wouldn't they?
I can think of at least six things we could promote as being the BEST in New Zealand. We have the best food, best wine, best climate, best schools, best tourism destinations and it's the best place to live.
Regional success stories include Hawke's Bay Tourism, which is really giving us bangs for its bucks - F.A.W.C! has been an amazing success, Business Hawke's Bay is continuing to grow in momentum, and Sport Hawke's Bay is punching well above its weight.
We are all working together to help them succeed, which is in the best interest of Hawke's Bay, such as the review and update to the regional economic development strategy, regional events strategy, and the development of a regional business attraction strategy.
People love Art Deco Weekend, Horse of the Year, the Hawke's Bay Wine Awards, the Mission Concert, the Hastings Farmers' Market, and much more.
We are one region but why not celebrate our diversity and get on with running these two cities with better communication and goodwill?
It has been said on many occasions that job opportunities are required for our region but, interestingly, the late Sir Paul Callaghan said a strong correlation existed between talent, economic wealth and community well-being. Talent is about people. Talent follows talent.
Negative comments undermine our way forward and do not portray Hawke's Bay in a good light. We must grow, attract, retain and connect talent. I know the mayor is working extremely hard to make that happen.
It is time to stand tall for what we believe in and get on with making our region the best. We have all the ingredients, now let's show the rest of New Zealand what we're made of.
# Faye White is Napier City Council's deputy mayor and has lived in Napier for 37 years.