Regional growth plans on track despite change of mayorsWARWICK SMITH/FAIRFAX NZ Palmerston North mayor Grant Smith was re-elected, but lost colleagues in Manawatu and Horowhenua. Smith said it would take some "corralling of the new mayors" to ensure collaboration in the interests of regional growth did not lose momentum amid the widespread changes. Kouvelis in particular had been a champion for regional growth, and campaigned for the regional growth study that formed the basis of the Accelerate25 programme. Smith said the regional growth action plan was not threatened by the political changes as it would continue to be led by Horizons. The other forum where the changes to the region's line-up of mayors would be apparent was Horizons Regional Council's regional transport committee.

Source: Stuff October 11, 2016 03:45 UTC