Comment: What is Positive+Change up to?

Ailne Bradley.

World wars gave the concept of national efficiency a sense of urgency in New Zealand.

Governments, left and right, built an infrastructure to make the nation work better, a foundation for economic growth.

Councils control infrastructure and, in Hawke's Bay, they try to be business friendly. All have business development staff.

But Napier's effort is not enough for the Positive+Change candidates. Not only do they seek fewer impediments to paving our streets with gold, they want taxpayers to subsidise it.

Their leader, Roy Sye, wants to "re-energise the council's economic development activities to actively target and incentivise new businesses to relocate to Napier. Council can do more to support our existing businesses by minimising bureaucracy and costs, and providing incentives to help businesses thrive."

Providing incentives. I have a problem with my rates subsidising business. Is a smooth road to riches not enough?

A classic example of how a government can boost business comes from Positive+Change Ahuriri candidate Ailne Bradley's home country. Ireland gave tax breaks to investing overseas companies and the country boomed.

If only it were that simple for Hawke's Bay. Ireland is the closest European country to the world's largest economy, speaks the same language, shares a heritage and has a highly educated workforce.

Xero boss Rod Drury has endorsed Ailne, who has been critical that Napier City Council has not worked to bring call centres to Napier, as Hastings District has.

But that's because Rod kicked off the initiative with Hastings District mayor and Local Government New Zealand president Lawrence Yule first.

Lawrence has brought prospective call centre operators to Hawke's Bay. We have the low rent and low wages that would save the operators big money if they moved to Hawke's Bay.

Rod's work for Hawke's Bay is amazing. His company is going gang-busters trying to crack the United States accountancy software market, he has a young family and still finds the time to invest time in his many great ideas for Hawke's Bay.

Positive+Change is backed by Ahuriri Business Park and Big Save Furniture owner Ray McKimm.

Strangely Positive+Change makes no mention of council-owned freehold land on its website. I cynically assume freeing up council-owned land in Ahuriri is a reason why Ray is supporting the one mayoral and four council candidates.

Council candidate Jude Minor is a property developer and Mark Hamilton is an owner/director of Alexander Construction, so I'm sure if Positive+Change gains office the asset sale will soon be on the agenda.

The two candidates are publicly licking their lips over Rod's Marine Parade proposal.

Ray's business model is a big save for Hawke's Bay. If we had more importers like him, our exporters would enjoy falling shipping costs - too many empty containers sail to Napier Port.

He said Big Save created its own company call centre with no help from Napier's council. He's not upset about it, but gives it as an example of how Napier council is missing the boat.

I think that's fine, big business can look after itself. It's start-ups we need in Hawke's Bay.

Another issue they are quiet on is amalgamation, other than to say they "support a democratic reorganisation" as per the wishes of Napier residents. Which means Napier will swing from its current monarchy to a republic.

I would have thought these business leaders would see that Napier fits into Hawke's Bay the way Auckland fits into New Zealand.

How efficient would it be if Napier remains an island?