Turner claims 'lost opportunity'

DISAPPOINTED: Despite the result, A Better Hawke's Bay chairman Rebecca Turner says the region still needs one voice. PHOTO/FILE

Rebecca Turner said A Better Hawke's Bay (ABHB) was "very disappointed" by the landslide loss the pro-amalgamation lobby suffered.

"We still stand by the need for one voice and one regional plan and a structure to take Hawke's Bay forward," the ABHB Chairman said.

"But the people have spoken and that has to be respected, it was a democratic process."
Ms Turner, speaking from Auckland Airport on her way to her son's wedding in the United States, said nobody from her side predicted such a swing.

"I think that there was a lot of misinformation out there," she said.
"It became evident during the voting period that people were voting emotionally either from a place of hope for the future of from fear of change.

"And I think that the scaremongering and the fear tactics that were used in this perhaps got to people.

"I commend all of those voters who inhabited the positive ground."

Ms Turner said the result was a lost opportunity for Hawke's Bay, but she was proud of the pro-lobby group's awareness and education campaign - a team that worked tirelessly for a better future.

"We had a large number of supporters from right throughout the region who donated to the cause either through financial contributions or by offering their skills, time, energy, ideas and expertise.

"I am very grateful to all the supporters of change who put themselves out there, who stood up for Hawke's Bay."

Hawke's Bay now had to move forward, she said.