Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said looking back at the past 12 months, the successful space launch of Rocket Lab's rocket from Mahia in May was the moment that stood out.
"Just how spectacular it was, and the indications there are going to be some good spin-offs regarding tourism, and there have already been quite a few jobs created as a result."
Mr Little said he was "excited" about what Wairoa could be set to receive from the new Government in 2018.
"I have to say, they are really focusing on the regional rural areas and that excites me because that hasn't happened before. I've always felt that Wairoa was forgotten about, like a lot of other rural areas, but this Government and [Regional Development Minister] Shane Jones impressed me."
He was also looking forward to seeing some development around Wairoa Airport.
"Rocket Lab are flying in and out and we want them flying into this part of the region rather than Southern Hawke's Bay or Gisborne.
"One of the other things that has got me really excited is we are starting to get more included in Hawke's Bay now. Hawke's Bay Tourism is starting to do some exciting things and even Hawke's Bay Regional Council has been up here and really taking us seriously.
"We have just got a new adventure playground in Wairoa, that's huge. The indications are that the population is increasing so that's got be good."
For the region's newest mayor, Sandra Hazlehurst, the last few months have been filled with passion and excitement.
"Over the last few months, I have been overwhelmed by the number of people who have offered their assistance to make Hastings and its surrounding district a better place for our people to live and work. Their willingness to do something to help, no matter how large or how small, takes us many steps closer to achieving our goals.
"I am excited to be part of this gathering of passionate committed people.
"Our council's 2017 highlights include the opening of the much loved Village Green in Havelock North, the stunning Te Matatini Kapa Haka event hosted by Ngati Kahungunu, the rolling out of our water strategy and the re-zoning of land for industrial and residential development."
More than 90 young people had also been helped into employment through the council's Social Development team, 45 or so now have jobs, she said.
"Excellent progress" had been made on the Whakatu Arterial Road and the council achieved an "A" Grade in the Councilmark Local Government Excellence Programme.
"Our council is in a very strong position to take our community forward."
2018's exciting new projects would include the Opera House Plaza upgrade, the laying of a new water supply pipe between Hastings and Havelock North and UV treating the district's water bores.
2018 would also see the creation of "a dynamic CBD for people to work, live and play in
partnership with our business community", alongside the implementation of a new CBD vibrancy plan.
"On behalf of our council may I wish everyone a wonderful safe and Happy New Year. Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard this year to make Hastings District great."
After just over a year in the job, Central Hawke's Bay mayor Alex Walker says she's enjoying the role more than she expected.
Since being elected in September last year on a ticket of "A mayor for a positive future", she said working towards putting that aspiration into action had been a balancing act.
"It's balancing what the community expects you to get on and do compared with what they want to know about and have an input in - it can be tricky."
Gaining the views of the community and its vision for Central Hawke's Bay was one of the first big projects she, along with the other largely newly elected councillors, embarked on after being elected, through the Project Thrive initiative.
She said this had been one of the big highlights of her term to date.
"It continues to astound me the power that word has had for spreading a vision for CHB - it's become the strategic byline for our council - together we thrive.
"It captured the passion and energy the councillors had for the district and then brought the community on board."
The last time such a visionary strategy had been completed was in 1997 - the Towards 2000 Strategy - a focus of which was positioning the district as Beautiful CHB, and some of the same values had come through in Project Thrive, she said.
"The information from Thrive has fed into the work plan and priorities we have covered this year and into the Long Term Plan."
This included discussions around smart growth, tapping into the community's desire to have more people in the district, while retaining the values and identity of the small towns and rural communities.
That had driven some of the infrastructure planning around water and other aspects of the district plan, she said.
It had also seen initiatives such as improving connectivity, making free Wi-Fi available in smaller townships such as Otane, Takapau and Porangahau.
Another highlight had been the appointment of new chief executive Monique Davidson.
"She has come in and picked up the vision and strategy of this council table and started putting it into action."
Ms Walker noted it would be a big year ahead for the council as it worked through the Long Term Plan and the district plan, a draft of which was due to be completed by the end of next year.
With what she considered the most diverse, determined and united council the district had seen for some time, she said the settings for success were there.
Tararua Mayor Tracey Collis said 2017 had been a year of both successes and, following the closure of the Manawatu Gorge, also challenges for Southern Hawke's Bay.
"The Eketahuna Town upgrade project won two awards. It gives me great pride going through Eketahuna knowing the council, in support of its Community Board, had an input into enhancing the experience of visitors and residence alike and are looking forward to doing work in our other towns.
"We are a district on the move. It has been wonderful watching the formation of Connect Tararua. In 2018, I'm excited to continue working with them as they bring our district into a level playing field with metropolitan centres. Connecting our towns together is an achievable aspiration and working together to overcome this hurdle can help our towns and residents flourish.
"[In 2017] I started public clinics to break down barriers for our residents to meet with council.
"For our council of nine members, with four new councillors in late 2016, the team has been cohesive and worked as a strong unit throughout 2017 for the best interests of the district. We are all positive and ready for a high impact 2018 to put Tararua firmly on the map."
