Prime Minister Bill English says the Government is keen to support the economic growth and investment happening in Hawke's Bay, but is mindful not everyone is enjoying the fruits of this growth.
Mr English was in Hawke's Bay yesterday to announce the Government's grant of $4 million for earthquake-strengthening of the Hawke's Bay Opera House, and also stopped in to visit several businesses and Karamu High School.
Speaking to Hawke's Bay Today during his tour, he said the Opera House announcement, along with another announcement yesterday of $380,000 for parking and visitor facilities at Te Mata Peak, were examples of the Government supporting the region.
"It's great to see the economy in Hawke's Bay going so strongly and the investment that's going in - it's our job to support that."
He had received great feedback during his visit he said, especially around innovation and investment in the likes of Plant & Food Research and the Callaghan Institute.
"The other part of our job is to make sure everyone in Hawke's Bay gets the benefit of that growth - some people are not in work and there are some who contend with long-term dependency. The Government has a big job to help them."
He said that while the Government could get better at its role in terms of agencies such as the Ministry of Social Development, it was positive to see local interest in supporting local growth.
With water issues at the forefront in the region, he said the Government's overall focus was to improve water quality, and controversial local issues such as water bottling and the Ruataniwha dam were part of the mix.
"The biggest user of water is the horticultural sector, and the question of who can get water, how they get it and whether or not they pay for it, is one we are all starting to grapple with."
He said a lot of work was going on to look at issues such as allocation and how to balance competing demands for the resource.
When it came to the dam, he cautioned that everyone in Hawke's Bay had to consider whether there would be any implications from the Hawke's Bay Regional Council's review of the scheme, and indicated the Government would likely invest more in the project if it overcame current hurdles.
Another contentious issue was oil and gas exploration, with the regional council considering banning the activity in many parts of the region.
Mr English noted the industry had brought billions of dollars into the country over the past seven to eight years, and there would be ongoing discussions over what aspects of this were in the national interest and which were about local policy.
Looking ahead to September's general election, he expressed faith in Tukituki National candidate Lawrence Yule and Napier candidate David Elliott.
"Lawrence and David are doing well on the ground, and they will be keeping up the reputation of Chris Tremain and Craig Foss of backing the bay.
"Our MPs here have been strong advocates for the region and I expect these two will continue in that tradition."