It is good that our regional leaders, including those who were on opposite sides of the amalgamation debate, are coming together to support the Wairoa District Council in its bid to get the manufacturing facility for Auckland-based company Rocket Lab.
As most people know, Rocket Lab is building, and hasnearly finished construction on, New Zealand's first commercial rocket launch site on Mahia Peninsula.
The company says it is evaluating multiple sites for the manufacture and maintenance of its vehicles in New Zealand but at this stage no decision had been made. But, there is no secret in the fact that Wairoa Mayor Craig Little and his council want the facility in their district. What a boost it would be for a region that needs economic upliftment.
Hawke's Bay Today certainly believes Wairoa should get this opportunity.
And we are not alone, local leaders from Regional Council chairman Fenton Wilson and his councillors, Napier Mayor Bill Dalton, Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule and Napier MP Stuart Nash, among others, are fully supporting the move.
Mr Wilson even wrote to the region's mayors and Gisborne Mayor Meng Foon before Easter to encourage them to get behind Wairoa.
That local support is vital as Wairoa is asking central government for backing for the completion of its business case to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment for funding.
Good on the politicians for uniting on this issue, now it is time for all of us, no matter where we live in the region, to back Wairoa.
