Editorial: Job growth more good news for Bay

However, it is one thing for house prices to be rising but what we also need is jobs for our people and to attract skilled people to the region.

Despite the recent drop in temperature, all the forecasts point to us having a golden summer and I am sure it will be welcomed by all.

But there is also another golden glow that seems to be settling over our province. For years, we have been lamenting the fact that we were languishing at the bottom of most provincial economic charts but in recent times the green shoots of economic growth seem to be taking hold.

It has been a welcome change from all the doom and gloom of economic stagnation and mediocrity.

It has started with our housing market - at first the signs were a flicker or tw, but now, by all accounts and backed up by statistics, the market is beginning to trend upward strongly.

Real Estate Institute of NZ figures released last month showed that property prices in both Napier and Hastings had risen dramatically in August.

Some of that growth has come from outside interest, with Aucklanders buying investment houses and even relocating to take advantage of our region's lifestyle.

However, it is one thing for house prices to be rising but what we also need is jobs for our people and to attract skilled people to the region.

And that also seems to be happening. Trade Me listings for Hawke's Bay jobs have risen, along with the number of job applications. The Trade Me figures show local listings were up 5.9 per cent in the three months to the end of September, compared with the same time last year. Applications for advertised jobs were up 13.3 per cent.

This is great news. The only way that we can prosper is by growing our skills base and our economy.

Here's to endless days of sunshine - real and economic.