A man interviewed for a job at Hawke's Bay Regional Council says he was told it would be "too politically sensitive" for him to work there, because of his views on the proposed Ruataniwha Dam.

Scott Wynands was interviewed for a position at the council in February last year. He was asked numerous questions by two interviewers.

"One of the interview questions related to the Ruataniwha Dam," he said. "I was asked to give my opinion on the dam. I replied that I did not think that it was economically viable or environmentally sustainable, and I stated various reasons why I thought this."

He said he offered his perspective around other solutions to the problems that the dam is trying to address.

"I stated that I did not think it mattered what my opinion on the dam was, because I would not be directly involved with it, and that I did not have a problem working for the regional council in general."

Two weeks later he was called by one of the men who interviewed him. He was told he had not been selected for the job.

"As a closing statement, I was told that it was too politically sensitive for me to work at council because of my views on the dam. I responded that I appreciated his honesty but I asked how the council would gain any perspective on the dam issue if they are going to vet the people that work for them based on whether they agree with the dam or not."

Wynands spoke about the topic at a public meeting attended by more than 100 people in Napier late last month.

He said he was later approached by former staff members who described "a climate of fear and intimidation" around the subject, and told him a number of people had been forced from the council because of their views.

Council interim chief executive Liz Lambert said she had spoken to the manager who interviewed Wynands, and "the preferred candidate was chosen based on their relevant skills and experience, and not on their views on the [dam] or any other of council's activities".

She said one candidate had called back to ask if they had been unsuccessful because of their views on the dam. "They were told they were entitled to their views and that, as staff, we often have to be circumspect about our own personal views.

"They were also advised that the final decision was not based on the applicant's view of the [dam] but on the required level of skills and experience."

A board of inquiry has asked for final comments on its draft decision approving the dam scheme, and is expected to make a final decision soon.