New Zealand
MP claims council's social post is campaigning for Māori wards - electoral officer says it's fine
Act Party's local government spokesman claims a council Facebook post is unbalanced.
Latest from Hastings District Council
Stories and analysis from The Northern Express Herald.
Mayoral candidate uses AI to create library-apartment proposal
Steve Gibson is proposing a new Hastings library with five levels of apartments.
The battle for Flaxmere starts with aroha and respect
Henry v Henare for one council seat – it's a boxing announcer's dream.
Plasterboard recycling trial a success: 'Exactly the result we were aiming for'
Plasterboard is one of the New Zealand building industry’s most persistent waste streams.
Rolling on to the top table: Meatball Festival nominated for best event in NZ
The Hastings Meatball Festival drew 5000 attendees in its first year.
From newcomer to guaranteed councillor, in just five days
Four candidates in Hawke’s Bay are elected unopposed across region's five councils.
‘Caught in confusion’: Council taking another look at intersection after serious crash
Aaron Pohatu was taking his 11-year-old son to rugby when cars collided 'like a bomb'.
Mayoral forums set for Hastings and Napier
Grey Power candidate events are also coming, the first on Thursday.
Ice warning: Injuries after school van crashes in Hawke’s Bay
A school van slid off the road on Kereru Rd about 7.45am on Monday.
Stuck in Middle Rd with ewes: Councillors against Havelock North development due to soil quality
Houses to the left of it, rest home to the right.
Prepare for pyrotechnics: Fireworks business owner joins Hastings mayoralty race
Darrin Wilson's a car and furniture upholsterer, fireworks salesman and motorbike racer.
The council with just one candidate as deadline for nominations looms
Nominations for the election closes in 11 days.
Date set for new Puketapu Bridge to open: 'It means so much to our community'
Hawke's Bay community buzzing as date set for opening of Puketapu Bridge.
Praise for restaurant's response after former deputy mayor dies at family dinner
His family say he will leave a legacy of kindness, and he was surrounded by it to the end.
The 2.2% dream: What we would need to sacrifice to get the lowest rate rise in NZ
The biggest battleground at Hawke’s Bay’s local elections will be rates.
How new speed limits are making Hastings schools safer
The changes are part of Hastings' early rollout of lower speed limits.
Hastings drinking water and waste water upgrades continue
Hastings has grown faster than expected in recent years.
Flaxmere Woolworths site work begins, supermarket built by mid-2026
A big chain is coming to compete with the independent Flaxmere Supermarket.
End of swimming pool weeds: Family's delight as cyclone-hit home gets green light
42 Havelock North homes are out of limbo after two-and-a-half years.
Asterisks, footnotes and claims of 'weasel words': Inside the battle for region's housing future
The plan is years in the making, but now it's reached a cross-council 'standoff'.
How a new form of erosion protection could save Te Awanga's shoreline
Council funded the Ecoreef project, costing an estimated $800,000.
Rebuild of bridge destroyed by cyclone comes in millions under budget
The new crossing is higher and longer than the original.
Council votes to trial opening Splash Planet next winter - without the pools
It'll run at a reduced entry price, with no pools open.
Hawke's Bay councils set rates rises - ranging from 5.2% to 15%
Napier's needed bumping to keep library open, Hastings still in cyclone struggle-street.
Could a winter playground save Splash Planet?
Keeping some attractions open as a playground could extend the park's season to 160 days.
'Scary as hell': Council couldn't find way to stop hoarding before weekend inferno
'I just knew that one day this would happen.'
Hawke's Bay councils win gongs for cyclone recovery initiatives
Three councils were together recognised for a ground-breaking high-risk properties buyout.
His red-zoned home didn't flood – a broken election promise could hamper his fight to return
People who 'haven't been able to move on' are being hurt by Govt decision, advocate says.
From motel owner to mayoral candidate: Steve Gibson vows to curb Hastings rate rises
One woman he visited in Hastings 'burst into tears' over how hard it was to pay.
'An eerie feeling': The jetboater honoured for his daring rescues in Hawke's Bay floods
Phil Bayens rescued more than 100 people and their pets from flooded homes.