Hawke's Bay regional councillors back in

Incumbent Ewan McGregor says local elections were conducted openly and with respect and integrity. Photo / Hawkes Bay Today

Every single Hawke's Bay regional councillor has been re-elected in the 2010 local body elections.

Heated exchanges between council candidates had some saying this was the most personal and unpleasant election they have run in.

Hawke's Bay Regional Council candidates for Hastings, their families and supporters had not held back criticism of individuals and groups. Seven candidates were contesting four regional council seats for Hastings.

Incumbent Ewan McGregor said local elections had always been robust but conducted openly and with respect and integrity.

"This campaign is different," he said during the campaign. "It comes on top of a relentless crusade to discredit selected councillors with little regard to the facts or their performance.

"Personally, I think this campaign has been unworthy of New Zealand's democratic tradition."

Challenger Tom Belford, who runs local blog BayBuzz, missed out on a seat on the council as did the other strong contender Murray Douglas.