The mayors of Napier and Hastings say they have been successful in attracting skilled people from the United Kingdom and elsewhere to live in Hawke's Bay.
Both mayors attended special expos in London and Leeds, where they pushed the advantages of living and working in Hawke's Bay.
Napier mayor Barbara Arnott said the prospect of living in the area proved very attractive, and people from Canada and Germany had also attended the expos.
Napier City Council council has received more than 200 CVs from skilled people keen on making a life in the Hawke's Bay, including doctors, builders, engineers and planners.
Council officials say less than 5% of families moving to Napier or Hastings end up returning home.
