The Build in Hawke's Bay initiative from regional development agency Business Hawke's Bay (BHB), is reported to be working, attracting attention from prospective home builders.
It comes at a time when the building industry needs support, with building consent figures at record lows, if it is to maintain capacity forthe imminent upturn.
Hawke's Bay residential building consents were down 8 per cent in the December period on the previous year, with just 24 approvals. The value of consents year-on-year was also down by just over 20 per cent or $2 million.
The decline is mirrored by a number of other regional areas but comes off the back of a very subdued year for the Bay.
National residential building consents at December 2011 were up 13 per cent on the year earlier with consents increasing in value by about one third in the same month a year earlier.
The Build in Hawke's Bay campaign was launched in December with billboards aimed at encouraging holidaymakers to consider relocating and building in Hawke's Bay.
It has attracted inquiries already and has been followed up with advertising in property magazines.
BHB business development manager Michaela Vodanovich said there had been extensive support from building companies and associated industries.
