For the past couple of years, I have called for our political leaders to unite behind a single regional economic development plan.
Unfortunately the ugly scrap that was last year's amalgamation referendum ensured that local government leaders were prepared to only pay lip service to a combined strategic vision for our future.
Well, as we all know, the proposal to amalgamate our five local councils was consigned to the dustbin of history. Weirdly, it allowed regional initiatives to flourish with a case in point being the enthusiastic launch of the Great Things Grow Here website recently. When this scheme was first launched in the midst of the merger squabble, Hastings Council was accused of amalgamation by stealth.
So, it was with interest that I awaited the launch of Matariki - the Regional Economic Development Strategy (Reds) for Hawke's Bay which was held in Napier yesterday. A bevy of Cabinet Ministers flew in for the occasion and our local mayors and MPs pledged support.
I think the strategy is a good start. National government has come to the party, announcing new (or re-announced) money to kick-start our economy.