Minister for the Hunter Jodi McKay released a media statement last night saying two new directors had been appointed to the corporation: former Hunter Business Chamber president Karen Howard and executive director of the Sydney Chamber of Commerce Patricia Forsythe.

Ms McKay said she would "like to thank the four departing directors, Mr Neil Bird, Newcastle Lord Mayor Cr John Tate, Megan Maybury and Suzanne Ryan for their years of service to the board".

But that gratitude was not well received, with Cr Tate calling it a "slap in the face to the city" of Newcastle, which had always had a lord mayor on the corporation's board.

Cr Tate said Ms McKay did not even extend him the "common courtesy" of telling him he had been dumped.

He found out when he called the chief executive officer to inquire about the board's next meeting.

"The Minister could have easily called me and said 'we're making some changes'," Cr Tate said.

"The only logical explanation I can see is that it's purely political against the backdrop of the next state election," he said.

"I have indicated I may run in the next election I have not said I would. I will make that decision in the proper time."

Ms McKay said last night Cr Tate had been dropped because it was important not to play favourites.

"As a growth centre, the Hunter Development Corporation covers 11 local government areas in the Hunter and it is important the new focus of the corporation is not favouring one council over another," Ms McKay said.