The region's new tourism promotion was created out of passion and drive - and with a budget a fraction of what previous branding attempts had cost.
Hawke's Bay Tourism general manager Annie Dundas praised the commitment of Kim Thorp and George Hickton who drove the development of a new branding image
which had so far received unanimous praise.
"They put a lot of their own time into this - we are so lucky to have them."
The rebranding cost about $5000.
At yesterday's unveiling of the new stylised logo at the Pettigrew-Green Arena, the response had been positive and extremely enthusiastic, Ms Dundas said.
Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule urged the region and its tourism sectors to get behind what he described as a "stunning" design.
Sileni Estate chief executive Graeme Avery also made an impassioned plea for people to "get behind it".
Kerry-Ann Gibbs, general manager at Te Pania Scenic Circle Hotel in Napier summed up what she saw with a simple: "It rocks."
Ms Dundas said the rest of the country would see the new brand for the first time at the TRENZ tourism expo in Queenstown on May 22.
The first regional campaigns using the new image and approach were planned to emerge in September.
