Mayors on airwaves

Napier Mayor Bill Dalton, left, and Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule, right, during the amalgamation debate at Bay FM. Photo / Warren Buckland

The mayors of Napier and Hastings debated the local Government amalgamation issue live on radio yesterday.

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule, who effectively staked his political future on support for amalgamation by launching a new proposal six years ago, looked forward to the final proposal being up for consideration by mid-year.

Napier Mayor Bill Dalton, sure a referendum will see amalgamation rejected, called for the Local Government Commission to call it all off.

The standoff came in the mid-morning on-air debate, which was delayed a short time by Mr Yule's late arrival at the studio.

He read a prepared statement on the issue, while Mr Dalton reportedly spoke off-the cuff throughout.

One close amalgamation-watcher said: "It was all the same old stuff, I don't think either of them said anything new."

Councils are awaiting a final LGC proposal, with intention indications that if adopted a new super-council linking the Wairoa, Hastings and Central Hawke's Bay districts with the city of Napier and the Hawke's Bay Regional Council could be in place by the end of next year.

Voters will have the option of calling for a referendum.