Relief as two-year drama finally ends

Wairoa mayor Craig Little and says he is happy his district can finally focus on growing. Photo / Duncan Brown

As the weight of amalgamation is lifted, Wairoa looks forward to a brighter future.

Contrary to popular belief, the town is making positive progress " something leaders will continue to build on.

With more people choosing to "come home", the mayor was certain new census results would reflect an upturn in population, not a decline.

"To all the pro-amalgamation, Wairoa is doomed and dying but it's not and we are going to show you that," Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said, after results were released late yesterday.

Wairoa District Councillors have been working hard to steer a community of about 8000 in the right direction and overwhelming votes against amalgamation was affirmation they're doing the right thing.

Securing new businesses, welcoming residents and encouraging fresh projects were some of the ways they hoped to boost the district's profile.

Initiatives such as a Youth Drama School, which is going ahead, and the proposed Rocket Lab are only the beginning.

"It's been a true show of leadership, it offers the opportunity for us to skyrocket greater and better things for Wairoa," Mr Little added.

"We have got to sustain this town by attracting really good business - without the cloud of amalgamation hanging over us it's going to boom."

Thanks to social media and a handful of passionate young people, who helped spread the anti-amalgamation message, council is also looking at introducing a youth council.

The journey to a resounding "no" was fraught with worry and an overriding concern their colourful town would lose its identity.

Councillors have been living and breathing amalgamation for the past two years - hours Mr Little felt could have been put to better use.

"It's been an absolute time-waster for this council," he said.

Amid the celebrations he took time to reflect on a "toll" the process had taken on everyone involved.

The thought of losing ground they worked so hard to gain was never far from their minds, and the uncertainty of a "yes" vote loomed.

Yesterday, that was the furthest thing from their minds as they raised a glass to a result Mr Little described as, "a thrashing".

"It is a big win for this council, we got some kickback's when we took a stand saying we didn't support the proposal. It's nice to know people trust us."

Mike Bird - the only Wairoa councillor to vote "yes" for amalgamation was not disappointed to hear the vote didn't go his way.

He looked forward to throwing energy into making the town a "thriving" place just as it was in the 1950s and 60s.

"We all have to enter a vote and in the end I voted 'for' - simply because I was thinking about 15 or 20 years down the track and whether 8000 people could sustain everything we know now, plus make improvements," he said. "That was the only reason that I was 'for' when I found out that it was unanimous 'against' I wasn't disappointed ... we can move on."

He also expressed relief for the families of councillors, who would continue to live and work in a community they are passionate about.

"I was always concerned about that, we can't afford to lose one job in this little town let alone a lot".