Economic development in Hawke’s Bay is once again in disarray.
It feels like only yesterday I was writing about the demise of Business Hawke’s Bay, followed not long after by the creation of the new council- led Regional Economic Development Agency, REDA. Since I’ve been in business,
I’ve seen at least six economic development models come and go. Now, when we need a strong and focused approach more than ever, we’re also left with a slimmed-down tourism agency after the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council pulled its funding.
Let’s be clear. HBRC was simply acting as a collection agency for ratepayers across the region. But instead, it reverted to the same old tit for tat politics that flares up whenever councils are asked to support something of regional importance. So here we are again, back at a familiar crossroads.
There’s talk of a new economic development agency. The Matariki Governance Group, yet another faceless regional entity, is holding on to REDA’s legal structure. It’s also highly likely the Regional Recovery Agency, which was set up after the cyclone to act as a bridge between councils and central government, will take over responsibility for economic development.
By March 2026, we’ll get the usual fanfare and promises about building a local economy that punches above its weight. But will another new agency actually deliver? For what it’s worth, I’d like to see a clean slate. A fresh board made up of people with proven business acumen.
No recycled council appointees. We need strong voices from the private sector and an operational team that can attract new businesses to the region, while continuing the great work the RRA has already done in unlocking central government support. REDA talked a lot about lifting living standards for all in the region.
That’s a worthy goal, but the approach had a strong social lens. What we need now is a mindset shift to growth. That’s the message coming from Wellington.
At the recent Evergreen primary sector event, Minister Chris Bishop didn’t hold back. He told councils they need to be direct and purposeful when dealing with government. He said, “We don’t want to be sitting around having meetings all the time and all being kumbaya.
That’s all fine up to a point, but actually it’s somewhere where you want to get a bit serious about what you want to do.”
He also called for more urgency around housing, saying, “I would ask the region to be fairly clear eyed about housing as a really important enabler of growth. Everywhere in this country has a housing crisis. We need to free up land for housing.”
His challenge was clear. “Let’s just sit down, have a free and frank conversation,” and move from talk to tangible action.
Hawke’s Bay cannot afford another well-meaning committee or a softly spoken strategy. We need leadership with real-world experience, clear direction and the confidence to make bold decisions. We’ve been here too many times before. Now it’s time to get on with it.
# Since publishing this in the magazine an interim board has been appointed of business leaders John Loughlan, Andrew Gibbs along with former politician Meka Whaitiri. This doesn’t change my stance that ED in HB is a limbo-land.
