Whanganui mayor and three-time Labour candidate for the Whanganui seat Hamish McDouall said he was hearted to hear both incoming Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and NZ First leader Winston Peters speak about the regions.
"That can mean lots of things but economically I hope it means support for the regional development projects."
Labour has promised $3million towards repairing the north and south moles while the outgoing National Government's $6million commitment to the velodrome roof remains.
Mr McDouall has been pushing for some government jobs to be moved to the regions and said it was "without a shadow of a doubt" more likely under the Labour-NZ First Government.
"I think the conversation will certainly begin," he said. "I think it's irresponsible to retain the operational arm of government in Wellington when there's such a risk. For the policy arm I totally get that it needs to be in Wellington."
Labour will set up a working group to review the country's tax system and Mr McDouall wants that to look at council rates as well.
"District council rates are a tax and I think that funding for local government, as I've said for years, is unsustainable."
Mr McDouall was picking former Carterton mayor and NZ First MP Ron Mark to get the job of Local Government Minister.
He acknowledged outgoing Minister of Treaty Negotiations Chris Finlayson and Minister of Defence Mark Mitchell.
"They were really fantastic to work with," he said.
"Now new relationships have to be built and I guess for me it's certainly easier in that I know a lot of the Labour ministers well so that will certainly break the ice."
High on Rangitikei mayor Andy Watson's agenda was continuing to get government help in accessing the district's largely Maori-owned, land-locked land.
About 20 per cent of Rangitikei's area is land surrounded by other properties and not able to be accessed by road and therefore difficult to use productively.
Mr Watson was "reasonably confident" current economic development programmes in the region would progress.
"(But) we're yet to really understand the policy implications of what has been decided in the coalition talks."
Mr Watson said the rural sector would also be interested in what the new Government would do around environmental and water policy.
The council would continue to work closely with Rangitikei MP Ian McKelvie who will now be on the Opposition benches.
Meanwhile, Mr Cameron said the Local Government New Zealand National Council would meet with the new Government in time to discuss issues.
