Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule will be attending the launch but remained quite about what was taking place.
Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule will be attending the launch but remained quite about what was taking place.
Hawke's Bay authorities remain tight-lipped ahead of tomorrow's launch of Matariki - Hawke's Bay Regional Development Strategy and Action Plan.
The Napier City Council circulated a reminder to invitees for the launch, which takes place between 9.30am to 11am at Napier's MTG Century Theatre.
Yesterday, Hawke's Bay Today contactedseveral people including Napier's and Hastings' mayors, who were sworn to secrecy.
Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule confirmed he would be attending but would not be speaking during the morning's event, and was set to MC a lunch function that day.
Mr Yule said it was the first time the strategy had been done collaboratively between councils, business, iwi and the Government.
"I am unable to release the targets, however most of them are about jobs and economic growth," he said about who would benefit most from the new strategy.
"This sets the framework for the region's growth and an agreed action plan. This is a great achievement."
He said the strategy would provide a clear, agreed direction with a plan to make Hawke's Bay competitive and to assist in providing a high quality of life for locals.
Wayne Jack, chairman of the REDS Governance Group and Napier City Council chief executive, said he was looking forward to the launch.
"It will be great to have the ministers here in Hawke's Bay, meeting some of those who will directly benefit from the REDS strategy."
He said he understood Ministers Steven Joyce, Nathan Guy and Te Ururoa Flavell would be making announcements in relation to the Hawke's Bay Regional Development Strategy Action Plan during the morning.
"We very much look forward to those and to working closely with the Government in the implementation of the action plan. We think it will be an exciting morning."
Mr Joyce said the launch would be a comprehensive plan to grow investment and jobs in the region.
"I'm really looking forward to launching the economic development strategy in Hawke's Bay on Wednesday.
"There has been a lot of hard work done by everyone involved and it will be great to get the programme under way."
