By-election date still up in the air

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule's National Party nod was confirmed on Tuesday.

Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule says he will be resigning from the role following his successful nomination as the National Party's Tukituki candidate, but he's not made any decision on when yet.

Mr Yule's National Party nod was confirmed on Tuesday, and although the rules would allow him to carry on his role as mayor as well as act as an MP, should he be elected, he said this was not an option.

"I don't think doing this would do justice to either role - the deal is I have decided to change my position - I'm going for the MP role and if I am unsuccessful that will be that."

He said the decision needed careful consideration, given his resignation will mean a by-election would be held, at a cost estimated to be between $90,000 and $100,000.

"I want to avoid having a by-election at the same time as the central government elections.

"I want to be really careful and considered in this - it's not something to be taken lightly and I want the councillors to agree on the most pragmatic way forward."

In the meantime he reiterated his commitment to remain in the mayoral seat until June 30 in order to resolve the Hastings District's water issues.

"We will be having a lot of community consultation around treatment options such as chlorine and I want to get that done before putting the council budget to bed on July 1."

In terms of campaigning for the general election, he said he had not yet appointed a campaign team, something that would get under way over the next few weeks.

Two others were in the running for the nomination - Havelock North resident David Elliott and Hastings councillor Adrienne Pierce.

Mr Elliot said he was disappointed not to have been selected but pleased to have provided some robust competition with his bid.

Born and raised in Hawke's Bay, the Cathay Pacific airline pilot, who returned from Hong Kong to live in the region in 2010 said he stood because he wanted to make a difference.

"I would have taken a 50 per cent pay cut but it was a chance to repay the childhood I had here, it was disappointing but that's democracy in action."

Despite the outcome, he said he intended to try to get more active in terms of helping out in the community.

Ms Pierce was also philosophical about missing out on the party nomination, noting it was a democratic process, and that the important thing now was to look forward.

"It's what happens next as far as the mayoral job goes and the council, and that will depend on what the councillors decide.

"It's really about what's the best thing for Hastings ratepayers and the councillors will have to take that into consideration."

To date the other candidates standing in the Tukituki electorate in the general election on September 23 are: Anna Lorck - Labour Party, Chris Perley - Green Party, Dick Ryan - Democrats for Social Credit.