"There's a great atmosphere here. Crowd [numbers] were down on Tuesday because of the weather, but we're delighted with the weekend. It's perfect conditions."
He was particularly pleased with the Black Sticks' performance during the festival.
Ranked fourth overall in the world, New Zealand had done well to make the final against world number two, Australia.
"It's an important tournament heading into [the Rio de Janeiro Olympics next year]. It's gone well, we're really happy."
In the wake of the festival, officials would "sit back and debrief". "There are certainly plans for incremental growth in the future."
Event co-ordinator and Black Sticks women's player Emily Naylor said the highlight for her was watching newcomers to the Hawke's Bay Cup, the United States and India teams, enjoy the region's hospitality.
This year the Hawke's Bay Cup tournament expanded from six to eight international teams.
"It's also been seeing some of the teams enjoying Hawke's Bay. The US and India both seemed to really enjoy themselves." Naylor had also enjoyed having a behind-the-scenes experience of the festival.
The most capped women's hockey international player is currently taking a break from international hockey.
She said she was pleased to see the Black Sticks, ranked fourth internationally, make the final against Australia, second in the world, last night.
"There's always a good battle between the Kiwis and the Aussies."
