A major proponent for amalgamation in Hawke's Bay is planning to run for re-election as Hastings mayor.
Lawrence Yule is currently in his fourth term as mayor and is also the president of Local Government New Zealand.
Mr Yule says he can't walk away from the job now that the amalgamation process is well underway, after the Local Government Commission accepted a proposal for merging the region's councils.
He'll stand in the October election, but won't yet say whether he'll also contest the leadership for an amalgamated council, if the proposal goes ahead.
