Ratepayer for transparency for Napier Port ownership

Anna Lorck is asking that the public decides who makes the decision about Napier Port's ownership. Photo / File

A former Labour candidate for the Tukituki seat is asking for Hawke's Bay Regional Council to consult on who makes the decision around Napier Port.

Anna Lorck says the people of Hawke's Bay have the right to decide whether the regional council makes the final decision when in comes to the ownership of Napier Port, or whether the decision is made by a public referendum.

"We all own our Port, we all have skin in the game," Lorck said.

"Should the decision be up to all of us, or the council alone?

"As a starting point they should be asking that question as part of the consultation.

"The more opinion we have the better."

Lorck has written a letter to regional council chairman Rex Graham, asking the decision making process for the Napier Port Ownership is part of the consultation process.

Graham said the regional council felt the issue was important enough to have a thorough consultation process.

"We think the decision is important enough for everyone to get their heads around all the issues.

"It's a very complex issues, we are hoping everyone will get their heads around all the options and then come back to council with their thoughts."

Lorck's preference was for the decision to be made by a public referendum, which could be attached to next year's local body election.

"Referendums have played a critical part in Hawke's Bay's democracy in the past," Lorck said.

She gave examples of the council amalgamation, and a Hastings specific option of the sale of Nelson Park.

"When we back the people to have their say, the people will have their say."

"I believe the future of Napier Port is one of the decisions that should be put to a referendum."

Graham said he would not say a hard no to a referendum, but wanted to use the current public consultation process first.

"I want to wait and see what happens with this process we've got going, I want to give it a good, a fair go before we make any decisions on anything else."

"We have a responsibility to the people of Hawke's Bay to tell them all the options, all the risks, all the issues around this."

He said he was looking forward to the consultation process.

"A lot of people have their views and a really passionate about their views, and I think that's a really good thing."

On Wednesday Hawke's Bay Regional Council will meet to adopt the public consultation document.