Hui inspires councils to pull together

Peter Butler (left), Lawrence Yule, Bill Dalton, Fenton Wilson and Craig Little at Napier's Century Theatre. Photo / Paul Taylor

Working "collectively" and "collaboratively" towards the Bay's future was the key take-away message from yesterday's high level regional meetings.

Several hui involving the mayors and chair, the chief executives of the five councils and the councillors themselves ended on a positive note with call for more meetings like it.

The meetings provided the group with an opportunity to move forward together in a post-amalgamation environment.

Napier Mayor Bill Dalton said the forum was one of debate not decision making.

"It was good lively discussion and it was very positive," he said.

"The key thing was a resolution to work cooperatively and collaboratively in the best interests of the whole of Hawke's Bay.

"People were insisting that we take a Hawke's Bay view of everything."

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule said they were "good, constructive meetings".

A part of the day saw a luncheon meeting with Local Government Commissioner Sir Wira Gardner, who travelled to the Bay with his chief executive officer Sandra Preston and senior policy analyst Gavin Beattie.

Sir Wira said the Local Government Commission's objective was to adopt a more flexible approach with local governance arrangements with large scale amalgamations having lost favour with local communities.

Mr Dalton said he was a breath of fresh air in terms of the Local Government Commission.

"He is keen to get alongside us and work together so that we can get a unity and collaboration in the bay," Mr Dalton said.

Mr Yule also spoke highly of Sir Wira saying he did a good job of outlining the way in which the commission is going to handle things in the future.

"I think people really enjoyed the fact that he had come up and told them how it was going to be and wanted to do more work with the region."

Mr Dalton summed up the day saying things are looking positive for the region.

"It is very obvious that Hawke's Bay in fact has got an amazing future," he said.

"And we all want to take the greatest benefit of that, and add as much to it as we can, to keep the momentum going."