Public submissions on planned investment company

Members of the public can discuss and submit on a planned investment company, which was held over from last year after complaints about the consultation process.
The company, which was called a holding company last year, would oversee many of the regional council's money-earning enterprises.
It was supposed to be set up last year but the public submissions showed people were wary and did not fully understand the idea. Councillors hoped a series of public meetings and an official consultation process would correct many of these concerns.
Wairoa and Central Hawke's Bay discussions would be included in the Draft Annual Plan meetings in mid-April. Two separate meetings for Napier and Hastings would be held earlier in the month.
A statement of intent would be available from libraries and online from March 26 and submissions close April 29.