"The case for change is compelling," he said. "We need to work in a more unified way with local businesses and with our treaty partners and this is the best structure to achieve a dynamic entity for the progress of Hawke's Bay."
Mayors agreed, with Hastings' Sandra Hazlehurst saying she is delighted with the decision by the five councils.
Craig Little, who in Wairoa heads the smallest of the councils, said his councillors support a regional entity, but he stressed the importance of accountability and benefit back to the Wairoa community.
"Central Government has sent us a clear message that we will be disadvantaged in our dealings with them without a regional entity," he said. "We need to unite around regional objectives and priorities for future funding."
Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise said how regions respond in the aftermath of Covid-19 will have a huge impact on local economies, and Napier Port chief executive Todd Dawson said a more "cohesive approach and clear point of contact on economic development issues and opportunities" had been sought for "some time."
Robin Hape, who chairs informal Maori economic interests group Te Kāhui Ōhanga o Takitimu said any new way forward to support Māori economic development will require a different approach and focus on adding value to Māori aspirations.
"The value of the Hawke's Bay Māori economy is significant at over half a billion dollars and we will be key contributors to the regional economy going forward," he said.
