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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.

Why Hawke's Bay households will pay more for water by 2026
Separate water bills will replace current rates bills.

'The city deserves better': Councillor Nigel Simpson runs for Napier Mayor again
Napier let down by costly distractions and a 'long list of broken promises', he says.

Councillor: If your name’s on illegally dumped rubbish, a fine could be coming your way
'This is exactly the kind of smart, enforceable change our communities need.'

'Distasteful': Last-ditch legal bid to stop crematorium beside supermarket
A crematorium in the middle of the village is a burning issue for some in Havelock North.

Challenger for Central Hawke's Bay mayor
Will Foley aims to strengthen urban-rural connections in Central Hawke’s Bay.

'Loud and proud': The charismatic mayor who turned up to every event for nine years
'In hindsight, I should have shared the load with councillors.'

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council rates will rise by 9.9%
A new targeted rate for Mangarau Stream also impacts 27,000 Hastings ratepayers.

HBRC unveils new flood management plan for Wairoa River
Mayor Craig Little stresses the importance of mitigating flooding risks.

Staffing costs at Hawke’s Bay councils - are they reasonable?
Economist Brad Olsen says there's a tendency to “vilify” the spending.

'Treating us like sheep': Why Napier fisherman plans to skirt around beach barriers
Steve Dean says he’ll be driving the long way along the beach to his usual fishing spot.

'Rewarding journey': Long-serving Hastings councillor steps down
Hastings councillor Malcolm Dixon retires after 12 years to spend more time with family.

'No longer feels like the organisation I loved': Napier council staff bristle at job-loss plan
'We were told we're a family and we look after our own.'

Napier councillor Richard McGrath running for mayor, says city is prioritising 'nice-to-haves'
'We do need balance, but I don’t think we have that right now.'

More than 100 council jobs hit by restructure, staff told not to go to media
Source: Process handled in 'an impersonal, top-down manner' with little regard for impact.

'Unique opportunity': $2.5m development for inner-city living in Hastings
The project includes housing, commercial spaces, and a public car park.

'Scary and exciting': Deputy Mayor steps down after long tenure
'I'll be able to spend my evenings talking to my husband instead of reading papers.'

'Stifling microbusinesses': Seymour backs watercress seller facing $600 fee
'Never thought he would support someone like me,' Jake says as Seymour takes up his case.

Farmers unite against council's water restrictions in Hawke's Bay
Farmers at 'one of the more definitive crossroads in the history of our region'.

Watch: Jetskier's harbour hoon 'unacceptable'
Speeding in the harbour puts everyone at risk, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council says.

'Heartbreaking': 38 pōhutukawa trees mowed down by vandals
Replacing the trees is estimated to cost $20,000, says Napier's mayor.

Second council pulls out of Hawke’s Bay climate committee
'It did not involve a visit to Wairoa, that we are aware of.'

Centralines trustee resigns over $100k dam decision
The move is 'a board decision shared by the firm as a courtesy', trust chairwoman says.

Why Eileen Lawson is leaving her council role to focus on health
Lawson was elected in a 2018 byelection for Hastings/Havelock North.

Nobody puts Napier in a corner: Councillors stop plan to close nightclubs early
'How are young ones going to learn about the world sitting at home playing Playstation?'

He’s sold watercress on the street for 30 years. Then a council officer spotted him
'All I’ve ever wanted to do was supply cheap, nutritious kai to whanau and friends.'

The cause of the milky stream at Guthrie Park
'The repair was completed on Monday afternoon by a Hastings council contractor.'

'There was a breakout': Herd of cows go for a dip in Napier estuary
Farm staff used kayaks to bring the curious heifers back, after they lifted a gate hinge.

Napier council's new barriers frustrating fishermen: 'The beachfront is being closed off'
Timber barriers are appearing along Marine Parade to stop vehicles.

It's not the owning of a cannon that's important, it's what you choose to do with it
When a council's rare cannon fell into disrepair, the community stepped up.

'Too important to fail': Govt, regional council commit millions to protect Whirinaki from floods
The redesigned project now costs $23m, down from over $34m, allowing progress.

Residents protest at rates on cyclone-affected lands
Wairoa residents see property values halved, yet face higher rates.

Driver frustration as Napier roadworks cause car damage
Rob Tranter faced delays after his van was damaged on Meeanee Rd.

How a new stopbank will protect Waiohiki from future floods
The new stopbank will run from Redclyffe Bridge to Napier Golf Course.

Why this Hawke’s Bay gas seep is sparking global scientific interest
Samples help study geological processes along the Hikurangi subduction zone.

‘That’s cowardice’: Councillor condemns gendered online threats
Hawke's Bay mayors urge respect, condemning personal attacks on social media.

Concept for new $20m regional park in Hawke's Bay revealed after 'challenges'
The park would be developed on Lagoon Farm, under an airport flight path.

Waipukurau housing project on track, mayor worries plans don’t reflect identity
The project aims to build 950 homes on 50ha over 20 years.

Offal dumped in river could be what’s left of A&P Society’s stolen sheep
'While we can’t say for certain ... its close proximity raises serious concerns.'

Cyclone victim estimates land value dropped $1m - yet rates bill the same
'The land is worth around $300,000 to $400,000, if that, and they are rating us on $1.4m.'

How a midlife volunteer found purpose in Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence
'I thought maybe I could get involved ... maybe I could be of some use.'

Napier Mayor outlines her vision for savings: ‘It all comes at a cost’
The Civic Precinct project will house the library and governance facilities.

Why Napier council believes local focus trumps ‘ineffective’ joint climate effort
Napier City Council left the Joint Climate Action Committee after an 8/5 vote.

Wairoa’s updated flood plan protects more homes and Māori land, showgrounds still to go
The Government contributed $70 million for Wairoa’s flood protection.

Hastings CBD railway plan: Business says it's time to bring cars back
The total cost of the project will be $3.45m, with $2.8m paid by the council.

‘Worst I’ve seen’: Tyre specialist stunned at damage from roadworks, dozens of cars affected
More than 30 people have already called the council to request help.

Roadworks chip away at Napier cars
One driver said they had eight windscreen chips and paint chips all over the bonnet.

'I want to get Wairoa back on its feet’: Mayor stands for a fifth term
Little says flood mitigation and roading are key priorities for the district.

Meet the weed boat driver keeping Hawke’s Bay streams flowing
'Don’t worry, the ducklings can swim faster than this thing.'

'Gone from meatloaf to caviar': Shopping centre bought by locals after 17 years in foreign ownership
Flaxmere councillor Henry Heke says the purchase is a game-changer for the community.

Avian botulism the likely killer of more than 100 ducks near Napier waterways
MPI says its testing 'has excluded HPI [bird flu] as a cause' of the deaths.

Car wreck left on Havelock North hill for months: ‘Someone will get squashed’
The hatchback came off the road coming down the peak on December 20, 2024.

Hawke’s Bay bar owner calls council plans for earlier closing times ‘crazy’
Chris Sullivan says it’s bar operators who have to change, not opening hours.

‘We all had a ball’: Close to 5000 people taste the best meatballs in Hastings
Around 4500 to 5000 people attended the inaugural Hastings event.

Landfill lament: Region's yearly recycling mistakes could fill a cruise ship
Why organics are the biggest waste challenge in Hawke's Bay.

Eels returned to stream after being dumped at compost facility
'Any live eels that have hitchhiked to BioRich are collected and returned to the stream.'

‘May the best man win’: Deputy to challenge Ngāti Kahungunu chair for top job
Thompson Hokianga has signalled his intention to run for the top spot on the board.

Wairoa council’s outgoing CEO praised as interim leader steps in
'He will still be in our community and we are looking forward to working with him.'

Flaxmere gym to close amid Hastings Council budget cuts
A petition with 137 signatures urges the council to keep the gym open.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council wants $225m water storage facility on Ngāruroro River tributary
The cost of the feasibility study will be about $3.2m, shared by HBRC and the Government.

‘Short-sighted’: Mayor criticises gap in Govt’s four-year term proposal
'Over the last few years, the flip-flopping of policy direction has cost our communities.'

Flood spillway in Wairoa: Save the drama for Shortland St, wāhine who is set to lose land says
'There was so much water. We are glad to have the opportunity to relocate.'

Hastings Civic Square revamp to cost close to $1m
New pavers will feature designs by tribal artists, celebrating Hastings' diversity.

How smart water meters uncovered unseen leaks in Hastings
The meters helped identify undetected leaks under houses and streets.

'What a load of BS': Councillor clashes with mayoral hopeful, makes jibe about European holiday
Hastings man running for mayor has brushed off a jibe from one of his fellow councillors.

Farmer puts his hand up for Hastings mayor, says HB Tourism is not a priority
Staff have found savings, but councillors have voted to spend, Buddo says.

CHB tries to lower rates hike to 10% as cyclone-hit Hastings sticks with 15%
Hastings can't accommodate any new projects in 2024/25.

Hawke’s Bay Tourism secures its $1m lifeline
Napier City Council is backing $450k in funding for Hawke’s Bay Tourism's lifeline.

Splash Planet pulling the plug early to cover costs
Visitor numbers to the water park are down more than 15,000 on the previous season.

Claim part-timers won’t solve Hawke’s Bay’s problems
A departing councillor says amalgamation to create fulltimers could fix the issues.

'Environmental and cultural crisis': Legal fight looms over Wairoa's freshwater
'The degradation of these waterways is both an environmental and cultural crisis.'

Walkout at meeting over Wairoa flood spillway
The meeting in Wairoa confirmed Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s support for the spillway.

Hawke’s Bay Tourism's survival rests with Napier council
Councils voice their disappointment in Hawke's Bay Regional Council.

After floods, cyclone struck, some Wairoa property values have taken a 50% dive
Purchasers 'cautious and reluctant' because of challenge of sourcing insurance.

Watch: Free diver’s footage reveals thriving marine life off Hawke’s Bay coast
'Lots of people can’t even remember when it was this good.'

16 homes in path of recommended Wairoa floodway
Crown manager and Wairoa council have endorsed a 170m-wide, 2m-deep floodway.

Hawke's Bay's councillors and mayors: Who's running, and who's stepping aside
Twenty-two of Hawke’s Bay’s 56 councillors have confirmed they will restand this year.

Napier Aquatic Centre dives into final phase of $4m refurbishment
The Ivan Wilson area and splash pad will close from February 10.