Growth strategies differ

Hastings mayoral candidates Simon Nixon (left), Lawrence Yule, and Wayne Bradshaw, share their views during the Radio Kidnappers debate moderated by Stuart Nash (bottom right). Photo / Paul Taylor

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule and the two councillors challenging him for their district's chains of office may have a few differences of opinion.

But as they took their hour in front of the microphones at community access broadcaster Radio Kidnappers there did seem to be a united belief that the key issue in the election race is that of economic growth whichever way they look at it.

Mr Yule is more than adamant amalgamation is the way to go about it, and says a lack of "regional leadership" is the biggest single thing that is holding Hawke's Bay back.

He offered the view that the region should have one CEO to control what he said was an $880 million Government spend in the area. This would guarantee efficiencies, but he doubted that Wellington would cede control.

Simon Nixon, an unsuccessful mayoral challenger in 2007 and 2010 but now with one term under his belt as a member of the council, said: "[I] support it personally," having sought greater alignment of fee structures among councils of the region and getting "nowhere". He says the way the issue has come about is seen in Napier as antagonistic and there will need to be some calming of the waters.

Wayne Bradshaw, a councillor for six years, reckons amalgamation is inevitable, but says the pathway has not been good.

"We should be working together to get the small things done," Mr Bradshaw said, adding there should be a plan for how Hastings and the region is going to develop as worldwide trends are towards unemployment and poor economic performance.

Yesterday's debate followed that on Friday among five of Napier's six mayoral candidates, and the two were measurably different.

Napier will have a new mayor because the incumbent is standing down, and four of the aspirants are current councillors, who are by and large happy with the way things have been tracking.

In contrast, the Hastings trio comprised the incumbent and two of his team unhappy with the top table and each reckoning they can do better.

Stuart Nash, a 2008-2011 Labour List MP who spurned the opportunity to stand for the Napier mayoralty so he could focus on seeking the city's seat in Parliament next year, was the moderator in both forums.

The debates can be downloaded from www.radiokidnappers.org.nz, and there will be replays on the station's Double Take programme on September 28.