Controversially withheld pending the real vote, the Colmar Brunton survey of 2029 people in February-March showed 57 per cent were against the commission's then draft proposal to form a single Hawke's Bay council by merging the Hawke's Bay Regional, Napier City Council and the Hastings, Central Hawke's Bay and Wairoa district councils.
Since the opinion poll, done by phone and door-knocking, support in Hastings narrowed, and opposition grew in the three other major areas.
More than a quarter of opponents said the current structure worked well, and most were concerned about losses of local identity and decision-making, while 36 per cent of supporters of the proposal said increased efficiency was their main reason.
Asked whether the vote against the proposal had come as a surprise, Sir Wira said he did not think he should be commenting, other than that the community had voted and it had been a "pretty resounding outcome".
"The region now has the opportunity to capitalise on the energy and ideas the reorganisation process has generated," said Sir Wira, the chairman just six weeks since the departure of previous chairman Basil Morrison.
While the region had decided against formal amalgamation, many of those opposed to the proposal agreed that much more can and must be done to work together to achieve permanent, positive and effective change, said Sir Wira.
"Hawke's Bay has huge economic potential and everything to gain through improved delivery of cost-effective services and infrastructure: More jobs, better growth and improved prospects across all sectors of the community for the people of Hawke's Bay."
With counting of special votes not likely to affect the outcome. official confirmation of the result is expected by Friday, and Sir Wira said it will bring an end to the process.
"The status quo will prevail," he said. "Hawke's Bay will retain its five separate councils."
However, the commission would remain available, if required, to assist Hawke's Bay thinking about local government options into the future.
In theory, a new bid for local government reorganisation in the area is possible, as is the case in Wellington and Northland, for which the commission is still discussing possibilities with councils, despite declining to put final proposals, while still discussing outcomes with the parties.
There is nothing to stop another application being made immediately, but a commission spokesman said that in accepting it the commission would have to "weigh-up" several factors, including whether it is in the public interest to agree to assess the application.
The only way the outcome of the poll could be changed is by a petition for an inquiry by the District Court into the conduct of the poll or any person in relation to the poll, the spokesman said.
A judge would require evidence including whether it could materially affect the outcome.
Sir Wira acknowledged those involved on all sides of the debate for the commitment and energy with which the issues were discussed and said: "The Hawke's Bay community has made an important decision on its local government arrangements."
