Hastings, New Zealand
Categories: Territorial Authorities of New Zealand | Hawke's Bay | Cities and towns in New Zealand
| Hastings | ||
|---|---|---|
| Urban Zone | Population | 61,700 |
| Extent | Clive to Pakipaki,
& Havelock North |
|
| Territorial Authority |
Name | Hastings District |
| Population | 77,500 | |
| Extent | Waikari River to Lake
Napier |
|
| See also | Napier | |
| Regional Council | Name | Hawke's Bay |
Hastings City is a city in Hawke's Bay, close to the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand.
Less than 19 kilometres separates the centres of Hastings City and Napier, and as such the two are regarded as the "twin cities". In local government terms, however, the two are considerably different. While Napier has a City Council, Hastings City's council lost its city status in 1989 when it was amalgamated with Havelock North, Flaxmere and a rural hinterland to form the Hastings City District. This has left Hastings with the larger population of the two centres, with a 2001 population of 73,428.
The Hastings District is made up of three main centres - Hastings, Flaxmere and Havelock North. These main centres are surrounded by 38 rural settlements including Clive and Bridge Pa. The whole of the Hastings District covers an area of 5229 square kilometres (2018 square miles) The Hastings District has 1.8% of the population of New Zealand and ranks 14th in size out of the 74 territorial authorities.
Hastings City, since the merger of the surrounding and satellite settlements, has grown to become the largest city in Hawke's Bay. Now the Hawke's Bay center of commerce, industry and trade, as shown by the small but growing skyline of multi-story buildings. Hastings is growing rapidly with the help of the smart and tidy gridiron city planning system, centered on the railway line which runs through the town's centre, and Heretaunga Street, which runs from Norton Road on the outskirts of the city, to Stortford Lodge at the other end, which changes into Omahu Road and continues to the rural outskirst of the city. The railway runs right through the city's symbolic fountain at its centre.
Many Hastings residents work in the city, and the area is populated by middle-to-upper income families in some suburbs and areas, and then middle-to-lower income families in other areas, especially towards Camberley and Flaxmere which are locally known to be less well-off than areas such as Havelock North. Hastings is a city with huge potential and a prosperous future.
Contents |
History
The Maori owners leased approximately 70 square kilometres, in the Heretaunga Plains, to Thomas Tanner in 1867, Tanner had been trying to purchase the land since 1864. In 1870 12 people, called the "12 apostles", formed a syndicate to purchase the land for around 30 shillings (£1.50) an acre (£371/km²).
An early name for the town of Hastings was Hicksville, after a prominent local settler, Francis Hicks, who had purchased a 100 acre (0.4 km²) block from Tanner. Many locals also called the town Heretaunga. Tobias Hicks, Francis' nephew, opened a general store (site of the present day ANZ Bank) in 1871, and in owning the store became the town's first post master. In 1873, Tobias, to entice business, offered to give the government a section of land for a railway station, he then offered 144 sections on a 100 acres (0.4 km²) for a town site, offering to sell the lots at 56 pounds per acre (£13,800/km²). Some residents were betting on Havelock North for the town site. In keeping with other local towns (such as Napier for Charles James Napier, and Clive for Robert Clive), in what seems to have been a political move to seal the deal, Hicks put forth the name Hastings, for that of a prominent statesman or soldier from Imperial India, Warren Hastings, the first Governor-General of India. Hastings was chosen as the railway stop, and town, by the government.
The first train took the twelve-mile trip from Napier to the new Hastings station in 1874.
A big jump in the local economy occurred when Edward Newbigin opened a brewery in 1881. By the next year there were 195 freeholders of land in the town.
Vineyards and fruit growing were the first industries for Hastings. With around 600 people, the town was incorporated on 20 October 1886, as a borough.
In 1918 nearly 300 people died of a flu epidemic that swept Hawke's Bay.
Electricity comes to Hastings in 1919.
93 people were killed, and Hastings was badly damaged, by the 03 February 1931 Hawke's Bay Earthquake, which destroyed or damaged almost every building in the town.
During World War II allied troops billeted at the Army, Navy and Air Force (ANA) Club, and in private homes. 150 members belonging to 16 different local clubs packed supplies to be sent to the allied soldiers.
Geography
Situated on the Heretaunga Plains, Hastings City is flat with no natural landmarks. The local area is very productive, with orchards, farms and vineyards surrounding the city. The main industries are agricultural, with processing plants and canneries being local employers. Honey is also a well-known local product. A New Zealand favorite brand, 'Watties' (part of the Heinz-Watties group), is known for its New Zealand Famous 'Watties Tomato Sauce'. Its plant is located in Hastings City, along with the local brand of canned fruit "Oak's" named after Oak Avenue in Hastings City. Many industries like Watties and Oak's are located in Hastings as it is abundant is produce, meat and other agricultural and horticultural products.
Hastings has a sunny climate with over 2200 sunshine hours annually and a average rainfall of less than 800 mm (31.5 in). Hastings is one of the warmest cities annually and the hottest place in summer with New Zealand's highest January maximum average of 26 °C (79 °F); Alexandra 23.5 °C (74 °F), Christchurch 22.5 °C (73 °F). Because of its location 15 km (9 mi) inland, the sea breeze does not have a major effect on Hastings' climate as it does in Napier. It is not uncommon for the temperature to be over 30 °C (86 °F) on summer days. Hastings only received a weather station in 2003, so official high temperature readings prior to that are unknown. Some unofficial estimates show that it may have reached the national record of 42.4 °C (108.3 °F) during the 1973 heat wave. In winter, maximum highs of 15 °C (59 °F) are frequent, and occasionally the temperature will exceed 20 °C (68 °F) with northwest winds. The low humidity and one of the highest amounts of sunshine in New Zealand make it an excellent place for growers, farmers, and families.
Hastings is quite historic and welcomes tourists, but due to its lack of landmarks and proximity to the more picturesque Napier, it is much less of a tourist destination. However, Hastings City does have Hawke's Bays largest amusement park, a large water park called 'Splash Planet' replacing 'Fantasyland' near the turn of the millennium. This is a massive attraction in Hastings City and draws many people to Hastings City.
Hastings was also damaged in the Hawkes Bay Earthquake but at the time, Napier was larger than Hastings and more damage was seen in Napier. However, because of the lesser damage and more leftover buildings and property, Hastings grew larger and many businesses started to grow in Hastings rather than in Napier, and so many of the older buildings in Downtown, especially along Heretaunga Street are of distinct Art Deco Fashion, similar to that of Napier and Miami, FL, USA. Although, as business improves in Hastings and the skyrocketing land prices in Hastings City, many of the historic buildings are being demolished and replaced with multi-storey office buildings.
References
- Moss, Maryan. 1999. Historic Outline of the Hastings District.