Life remains way townsfolk want it

Celebrating the vote against amalgamation in Wairoa last night are Hine Flood (left), Zach Stark, Bruce Kenyon, Geoff Hole, Sarah Leclerc, Mayor Craig Little, Jan Little, Fergus Power, and Trithipphyanipha Phetmahesuan. Photo / Duncan Brown

In true Wairoa style, there was no flash party or bubbly bottles popping after yesterday's amalgamation announcement.

A table in the council boardroom was a space where councillors and anti-amalgamation campaigners gathered to raise a glass to a great result for the district.

About nine people carried on to the Wairoa Club - where there were quiet speeches of thanks and a fist pump to Say No - the song penned by local singer/songwriter Kiri Gilbert.

It is a different way of life - not complicated or busy, there are no traffic jams and just a handful of takeaway shops - but those who live in the town would not live life any other way.

This is their way and the councillors, who have day jobs in many sectors of the community, understand better than anyone.

Craig Little was "thrilled" with the result, but just as he did when named mayor of Wairoa, made no plans for a celebration.

Wairoa District Council CEO Fergus Power said it was all part of the local mentality.

"We aren't presumptuous enough to organise a party ... there will be a celebration, we haven't made plans in relation to that because we don't want to jinx things," he said.

"This issue has really united the community even more - it's a strong community, it's very connected. If you look at our facebook it's the equivalent to 20 per cent of people in Wairoa following us."

Before votes were counted the feeling in Wairoa and its surrounds was one of quiet anticipation.

As residents waited for word on whether Hawke's Bay's five councils would join as one, many in the township were talking, and the word on their lips was "no".

At Kotemaori School, principal Simon Coulding felt Hawke's Bay's outlying communities would suffer from a united front.

Wairoa District Council already "lent an ear" to their concerns and considered the problems they faced, particularly as more people moved into town, away from previously booming forestry and dairy industries.

"We need to be recognised as an identity, we are people of Hawke's Bay - we have been here a long time, we have a lot of history."

Thanks to a clever social media campaign and a valiant effort by Mr Little and his councillors, most Wairoa locals understood what the outcome of amalgamation meant .

Their biggest fear was, "losing the town's identity", Councillor Michael Johansen said.