Hastings mayor looks to future after defeat

Mayor Lawrence Yule has accepted a large loss in the amalgamation referendum but feels positive about the future. Photo / Warren Buckland

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule is looking forward and not dwelling on the fact that months of lobbying for amalgamation have come to nothing.

Despite the emphatic defeat in Tuesday's referendum he was feeling optimistic about the future.

He had a busy day yesterday absorbing the decision, in which 66.18 per cent of Hawke's Bay residents voted against the proposal - a result many believed would have been closer.

Mr Yule was surprised at the swing against amalgamation but had accepted the loss.

"My outlook is positive and the same as yesterday. The people have spoken."

He was looking forward and not dwelling on the result.

"We live in a fantastic region and the democratic process has played out."

He reiterated that he was not making any decision about his future and whether he would stand again for the Hastings mayoralty.

"I have got a lot to do as the mayor of Hastings and I am going to get on and do that."

He believed a desire to keep things the same drove the high percentage of people who voted no.

"People are naturally scared of change and simply didn't believe the proposed structure would be better than the status quo."

A mayoral meeting would be held tomorrow to discuss how Hawke's Bay would move forward.