Crowd gathers to hear MP on merger

Stuart Nash at yesterday's anti-amalgamation meeting, which he staged in Napier. Photo / Paul Taylor

About 40 people turned out in Napier yesterday for the second in a series of public meetings staged by anti-amalgamation proponent MP Stuart Nash, who believes most people have "probably" made a decision on how they will vote by now.

Mr Nash said the bottom line was allowing local communities to determine their own futures.

"If I thought amalgamation would be good for the people of Napier and Hawke's Bay, I would be for it. But I do not see any reason to support it," he said.

He told his audience the heart of the issue was about local communities determining their own futures while working together where appropriate.

There were too many grey areas, mainly around the issue of who, and how many, would be involved in the multi-layered make-up of a single council.

Mr Nash said there were also uncertainties about the voting process.

One question which had popped up previously was from someone who was not sure if the vote was for ratepayers only. As Mr Nash replied, no, it was for all on the electoral roll and he urged people to make sure they voted and make sure eligible friends and family also voted.

Of the commissions and boards it would create, one woman asked: "Will they be paid?"

Mr Nash said that was another of the unknowns.

A woman from Napier Grey Power asked if an amalgamated council would continue to look after their needs.

"It would have to go through a lot more processes," Mr Nash replied.