The leader of the lobby group that is close to bringing about amalgamation of five local authorities in Hawkes Bay believes each part of New Zealand has its own decision to make.
Chairwoman of A Better Hawkes Bay, Rebecca Turner, told the Otago Daily Times yesterday the group's successful application to the Local Government Commission arose from the province's lack of growth.
''The world is a big place nowadays.
''To be able to have your say as a region ... you have to be able to work together.
''Other regions may not have the problems we have in Hawkes Bay, with councils looking inwardly and looking after their own nests.
''It is important for Hawkes Bay to have [amalgamation]. I don't know how important it is for every other region in New Zealand.''
Amalgamation of local authorities in Otago and Southland has been an ongoing question for local authority leaders in the South.
Invercargill mayor Tim Shadbolt has floated the idea of one local authority for Southland rather than three, while Otago Regional Council chairman Stephen Woodhead told the ODT last year he was willing to discuss amalgamation but did not see the same ''drivers or benefits'' in the South.
Ms Turner said change in Hawkes Bay came about through a public movement led by A Better Hawkes Bay, an independent group formed two and a-half years ago.
''We recognised the economic statistics were way at the bottom of the range in New Zealand and we wanted to see if we could get a regional vision, regional plan and regional leadership.''
Ms Turner, a businesswoman, said the group had to show the commission there was public support for amalgamation.
One of its first steps was the successful lobbying of the councils involved to produce a report on the state of the Hawkes Bay economy.
The group then applied to the commission.
''We had to prove that there was demonstrable support in the region for this change.''
The commission's draft report was released earlier this month and the Hawkes Bay public has the chance to make submissions before the final report is completed.
If enough people opposed amalgamation, a referendum would be held. Otherwise, the amalgamation would go ''straight through'', Ms Turner said.
''We are thrilled the Local Government Commission have come out with this.
''They recognised there is rivalry and lack of co-operation between the local authorities.''
