By Patrick O'Sullivanpatrick.osullivan@hbtoday.co.nz
Despite uncertainty over which way New Zealand First will jump, business leaders say the election result was good for Hawke's Bay,
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters could form a government with either National or both the Green Party and Labour.
Business Hawke's Bay chairman Stuart McLauchlan said strong support for National in the election was a positive result and he expected National and New Zealand First to strike a deal. "I see that as a positive outcome for business, as much as it can be under MMP, where you always have to expect something to be thrown into the mix," he said.
"The economy is generally strong and we want to keep it going that way. There is obviously a little bit of uncertainty at the moment, until things become clearer and parties talk with each other, but the most likely outcome is a National-New Zealand First deal, which I think business would support."
Before the election Mr Peters issued several "bottom line" non-negotiable policies should the party find itself in the current situation including: no to Labour's proposed water tax except for overseas-based water bottling companies, fewer immigrants and new immigrants to be based outside Auckland, buying back state assets and creating a register of land sales to non-New Zealanders.