Mayors happily don chains for ABs

The region's mayors - Bill Dalton (left), Lawrence Yule, Craig Little and Peter Butler - gathered to greet the All Blacks. Photo / Supplied

Hawke's Bay's mayors all embraced amalgamation at a special gathering in Napier on Sunday.

They all happily got together for the united cause of welcoming the All Blacks to the Bay and were all agreed on one thing - the ABs are a team worth celebrating.

Napier Mayor Bill Dalton, Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule, Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Peter Butler and Wairoa Mayor Craig Little all donned the chains of office and joined a crowd of about 1000 people who took over the Hawke's Bay Airport terminal to get a glimpse of the country's rugby stars.

Mr Dalton, who welcomed Richie McCaw and the boys to the Bay on behalf of the mayors, said the game would bring huge benefits to the region.

He also said the gathering of mayoralty also underlined something special.

"It proves once again that we all work well together and are supportive of everything that is positive in Hawke's Bay," he said.

The Hastings mayor agreed.

"It's great to have them here and it's great for the whole region," Mr Yule said.

"It is a real privilege for the region to host the match."

For Mr Little and Mr Butler it was some way to go to join the welcome but neither was prepared to miss it.

"Not for quids," Butler said, adding that he and his mayoral colleagues had all been called by Mr Dalton and asked to join him "with our chains".

"It's not a test match in Napier," Mr Dalton said.

"It's a test match in Hawke's Bay."

Mr Butler said there would be a good contingent of people heading north from CHB for the game.

"Everyone I know is going."

Mr Little said he was happy to break with protocol and wear his Wairoa mayoral chains in another district.

"But, hey, this occasion could not have been more appropriate. It brings Hawke's Bay together and that's great."

Hawke's Bay Rugby Union commercial manager Jay Campbell said tickets for the clash with Argentina had been "selling like hot cakes" yesterday.

About 400 tickets were snapped up by the evening bringing smiles to many faces.

There were now fewer than 500 left.

"It looks like we are going to have a sell-out," Mr Campbell said.

Buy tickets

Tickets can be bought at ticketdirect.co.nz; or 0800 224224; or in person at HB Rugby Union Office, McLean Park.