The decision by Napier Mayor Barbara Arnott not to seek re-election has certainly changed the political landscape in the run-up to the local government elections in October.
While some may see this as her raising the white flag in her fight against amalgamation of Hawke's Bay's councils, Mrs Arnott is
adamant that she is leaving for personal and family reasons. Her parents are elderly and she wants to spend more time with them.
Most people - even her opponents - will acknowledge that Mrs Arnott has been a hardworking mayor for her city, Napier. You don't serve four terms without doing at least some things well.
Her decision has certainly made things interesting. A new mayor's stance on amalgamation will be crucial to the debate. It will certainly show us, once and for all, where the people of Napier stand on the issue.
In the meantime, things are certainly heating up. Lobby group A Better Hawke's Bay has submitted a proposal for council amalgamation which would see Wairoa, Napier, Hastings, Central Hawke's Bay and Hawke's Bay regional councils merge. The Local Government Commission is currently accepting alternative proposals for consideration.
