Wayfinder takes water project to next level

Two large water tanks in Hastings city had the potential to be a big eyesore, so when Graeme Hansen from Hastings District Council invited local landscape architect Shannon Bray to a meeting about how to dress it up a bit, no-one would have ever thought of what has become a world first. “Graeme rang one […]

Hawke’s Bay film industry moves forward as community hub opens

Hawke’s Bay film industry has taken a big step forward with the opening of a community hub. The hub in central Hastings will focus on the local film industry. It is the official base for Eastern Screen Alliance, a regional film office and part of a national body, Regional Film Offices of New Zealand (RFONZ), […]

Hastings scoops Recreation Aotearoa award wins and recognition

More Recreation Aotearoa awards have been picked up by Flaxmere Park and the skate plaza Te Pae Whīra o Pā Harakeke. Flaxmere Park was named Outstanding Park of the Year in the national awards announced yesterday, while Te Pae Whīra o Pā Harakeke skate park won the Outstanding Recreation Facility category. In another accolade, Hastings […]

Waiaroha – state of the art water treatment and more

“The two water storage tanks at Waiaroha hold five million litres of drinking water each – in the height of summer Hastings uses the equivalent of 11 of these tanks a day.” The Waiaroha Heretaunga Discovery Centre, located on the corner of Southampton and Hastings Streets, will open to the public on the weekend of […]

‘Muni’ awakens with metro city vibe

The doors shut to Hutchinson’s eight years ago, as well as the Municipal Building and beloved Assembly Hall, due to the building being earthquake prone. Now the Municipal Building (‘Muni’) is springing back to life as part of the overall Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre rebuild project that began in 2016, costing over $45 million. The ground floor has […]

Tribune complex a tribute to couple’s vision and hard work

A Hastings landmark that closed due to earthquake risk has come alive as a stunning office, retail and hospitality precinct that rivals the best in New Zealand. Property developers and passionate Hastings’ champions Rob and Barb Hansen have brought life back into the former Hawke’s Bay Herald Tribune buildings, transforming them into a modern social and business precinct that still acknowledges its […]

Exciting new tenants ready for Municipal Building re-opening

Hastings city centre is set to become an even bigger ‘hot spot’ with Hastings District Council announcing an exciting list of new businesses for the soon-to-re-open Municipal Building on Heretaunga Street. The Municipal Building has been closed since 2014, undergoing significant earthquake strengthening and restoration work. Undoubtedly one of Hastings’ most iconic buildings, the Municipal […]

A city small and beautiful – that’s Hastings

A couple of imaginary friends and their popularity with the children of Hastings have helped carry the day and night for their home as one of New Zealand’s most beautiful cities. Luke the Litter Legend and Colin the Cheeky Chucker were prominent in a decision to name Hastings as the Most Beautiful Small City, for […]

Toitoi wins national venue award

Earlier this week (subs: Nov 25) Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre won a national event industry venue award, in recognition of their clarity of vision, tangible objectives and plan for sustainability. It included their efforts adapting to Covid-19 and ensuring the Hastings community still experienced live arts and events over the past […]

Hastings does it again: KNZB Awards 2021

Hastings has done it again, making the finals in the 2021 Keep New Zealand Beautiful Awards: Most Beautiful Small City. It comes on the back of winning Most Beautiful Large Town and the Supreme Award in 2020. A change in KNZB criteria, based on population size, has put Hastings in the Small City category this […]

Why Hastings is Hawke’s Bay hottest new food destination

For years I’ve done culinary trips into Hawke’s Bay — mostly vineyard tours at first then graduating to cafe and restaurant crawls as big-name chefs opened up kitchens in Napier, Havelock North and nearby wineries. For almost all of that time Hastings has been out of the reckoning. Though locals could technically claim that Havelock […]