Hastings mayor’s column: Sandra Hazlehurst reflects on what a year Hastings conquered

Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst.

As our busy year is coming to an end, it is an opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved in Heretaunga Hastings over the past 12 months.

We have a lot to be thankful for. Our recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle is making great progress. It was wonderful to recognise the major milestone this month, which was completing the silt recovery work programme.

The removal of cyclone sediment and debris has seen around 7000 hectares of land returned to productive use across 1184 properties – it’s great to see fruit trees and crops being replanted in these areas.

Another significant achievement has been the completion of the voluntary Category 3 buyout process. This Christmas will look very different for families who will be living in a different home and neighbourhood, we acknowledge the hardship they have been through.

Restoring our transport network to reconnect our rural community is progressing well. We look forward to opening new bridges and culverts next year, and seeing roads and slips repaired and rebuilt.

Throughout this work, we are grateful for the tireless effort of our volunteers who have gone above and beyond to support our community most impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle. Our community leaders are now working hard to set up emergency hubs across the district to prepare and be ready for future events.

Providing for more housing for our growing population is another key focus for our council. It is exciting to have 39 new senior housing units being built in Flaxmere’s town centre.

It certainly is Fabulous Flaxmere’s time, and along with the new senior housing, the groundwork is complete for another 150 affordable homes to start being built around the town centre next year. Our council is working hard with our development community, to secure a new Flaxmere supermarket to support the growing number of people living in the area.

When you look around Hastings, you can see housing developments being built at pace from Havelock North to Waipatu to Flaxmere.

We began this mahi about five years ago through our Hastings Place Based Housing Plan and we will continue to work with Government, iwi and developers to deliver a range of housing options to enable people into new homes.

Our growing population also means we need to have fit-for-purpose and future-proofed infrastructure to service more people and housing.

This year, the first section of a critically important wastewater project installing 10km of new pipelines and pump stations between Flaxmere to Waipatu was completed.

Supported by central government funding, this will ensure wastewater capacity is enhanced to meet current and future housing needs in Flaxmere and Hastings.

Our city centre is looking fabulous! We are seeing the benefits of an increasing number of businesses that are investing in Hastings.

From hospitality to professional services, retail, and health providers, these businesses can see the potential and value of investing in our city, which is growing, vibrant and exciting.

Our position as the economic powerhouse of Hawke’s Bay remains strong. As well as in the city, we have significant developments happening in our industrial and commercial areas that support our important primary sector. I have every confidence that over the next year, our district will continue to attract new opportunities and further investment.

As we approach the festive season, on behalf of our Hastings district councillors and staff, I wish you and your whānau a Christmas filled with happiness, joy and hope. May 2025 be a prosperous, calm and bright year for everyone!