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Hastings is coming Alive! Since 2019 we have been carrying out a series of upgrades to our streets, footpaths, public spaces and laneways – all designed to bring life, fun and vibrancy to our beautiful city centre.

With the support of our inner city property owners, we are investing in making the heart of our city the go-to place for shopping, entertainment, the arts, hosting visitors, relaxing, eating and doing business.

With a growing schedule of art and entertainment installations and events, and a burgeoning retail and hospitality sector, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Latest news

Christmas comes to Albert Square

Christmas comes to Albert Square

Albert Square is being transformed into Christmas Central from today until December 25 with displays and activities...

15 December 2023

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Things are getting tasty at Hastings street party

Things are getting tasty at Hastings street party

Taste Hastings is back – and that means it’s party time in the East Block – with wine, food, live music and m...

7 November 2023

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Hastings city centre revitalisation earns top Local Government award

Hastings city centre revitalisation earns top Local Government award

Described as “the very essence of successful placemaking”, the 10-year regeneration of Hastings city’s East B...

13 June 2023

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City Centre update - May 2023

City Centre update - May 2023

The resource consent to demolish and redevelop the site at 206 Queen Street and 223 Heretaunga Street West has been...

22 May 2023

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Funding boost for future safekeeping of regional collection

Funding boost for future safekeeping of regional collection

The development of a new facility to house the Hawke’s Bay Regional Museum collection has taken a major step forw...

7 December 2022

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Santa’s Grotto open for visitors at Toitoi

Santa’s Grotto open for visitors at Toitoi

Santa’s coming to town, and starting from today is looking forward to meeting children and families at his specia...

1 December 2022

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City centre update - November 2022

City centre update - November 2022

Preparations are underway to install Christmas decorations around the city centre streets and open a Santa’s Grot...

10 November 2022

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 Taste Hastings street party

Taste Hastings street party

Wine, food, live music and fun are all on the menu for the F.A.W.C! Taste Hastings event taking place in East Block...

3 November 2022

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The Big Apple Project reaches fruitful conclusion with successful auction

The Big Apple Project reaches fruitful conclusion with successful auction

The Big Apple Project came to a spectacular conclusion last night, with an auction for the artworks netting just on...

27 October 2022

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New life for old buildings on Queen and Heretaunga Sts West proposed

New life for old buildings on Queen and Heretaunga Sts West proposed

There are exciting plans afoot for the western end of Hastings city, where a proposed new development will add to H...

11 October 2022

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Fotofest photography event hits Hastings

Fotofest photography event hits Hastings

What happens when a group of friends that share the love of photography start to plan an event that brings togethe...

5 September 2022

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Rush Munro’s moving to Albert Square

Rush Munro’s moving to Albert Square

Iconic Hastings business Rush Munro’s is moving into the heart of Hastings city, after 90 years at its present si...

2 September 2022

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New inner city mural hearkens to district’s rural past

New inner city mural hearkens to district’s rural past

A building with a strong link to rural Hawke’s Bay and Hastings city has had its history brought to life with a n...

12 August 2022

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Bringing Hastings Alive! How far we've come ...

Bringing Hastings Alive! How far we've come ...

For more than 10 years now, our inner city streets have been undergoing upgrades, and while a big focus in the past...

4 August 2022

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Mural design depicts community kaupapa and facility logos

Mural design depicts community kaupapa and facility logos

Another artwork has popped up in Hastings, this time on the fencing around an empty site opposite Toitoi – Hawke'...

3 August 2022

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City Centre update - June 2022

City Centre update - June 2022

For the first time this year we are celebrating the new public holiday for Matariki, and in addition to other event...

20 June 2022

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City centre update – May 2022

City centre update – May 2022

Work is advancing well on the major street upgrades outside the Municipal Buildings ahead of its opening in August,...

20 May 2022

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 Action Plan boosts activity in Hastings city; free parking for month of July

Action Plan boosts activity in Hastings city; free parking for month of July

A ‘COVID Recovery Action Plan’ comprising new and enhanced existing events and activations is set to bring a bu...

12 May 2022

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Exciting new tenants ready for Municipal Building re-opening

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 ex...

13 April 2022

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City centre update - April 2022

City centre update - April 2022

From an exciting interactive, virtual reality exhibition at Hastings City Art Gallery to a special Anzac Day light ...

7 April 2022

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March 2022 update

March 2022 update

While much attention has been focused on managing our way through the COVID outbreak, Council has also been plannin...

14 March 2022

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Flamingos pay flying visit to Hastings city centre

Flamingos pay flying visit to Hastings city centre

A flock of giant flamingos has landed in the city centre fountain – set to brighten up the mall for the next mont...

18 February 2022

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December update - what's new and coming up in the Hastings city centre

December update - what's new and coming up in the Hastings city centre

Christmas is nearly here, and there’s a festive feel across the city centre. Read below some updates on our inner...

14 December 2021

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Christmas gets lit in Hastings city centre

Christmas gets lit in Hastings city centre

Christmas is getting lit in Hastings city centre this month, with special festive lighting and pop-up installations...

3 December 2021

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Come and explore the Cactus Garden

Come and explore the Cactus Garden

Two years ago we had the giant inflatable “Shrooms”, and this year visitors to Civic Square in Hastings will be...

20 October 2021

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The Sphere lands in Albert Square

The Sphere lands in Albert Square

The Sphere has landed. Visitors to Hastings city have a new installation to enjoy, with the arrival of Kōtahu & T...

30 September 2021

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August update – Taste Hastings, Façade Enhancement, city centre activations and more…

August update – Taste Hastings, Façade Enhancement, city centre activations and more…

Our city centre is set to come alive with an exciting range of events over the next couple of months as we emerge f...

17 August 2021

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July update - what's new and happening in the city centre in coming weeks

July update - what's new and happening in the city centre in coming weeks

There's a lot happening in the city centre over the coming months as the street upgrades continue, and the busy Spr...

14 July 2021

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Hastings District Council launches lightbox photo competition

Hastings District Council launches lightbox photo competition

Hastings’ city centre will soon come alive with large-scale photos taken by local residents, thanks to a competit...

28 May 2021

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 Innovating Streets work aims to create sanctuary in inner Hastings

Innovating Streets work aims to create sanctuary in inner Hastings

The transformation of Heretaunga St East is about to enter a new phase, with work starting on more enhancements to ...

5 May 2021

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Special opening event for revamped Landmarks Square

Special opening event for revamped Landmarks Square

Close to 50 people gathered at Landmarks Square last Friday night to celebrate the recently completed upgrade of th...

17 March 2021

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Jazz duo playing at Landmarks Square re-opening

Jazz duo playing at Landmarks Square re-opening

Wil Sargisson and Margot Pierard, the woman with a “velvet voice as smooth as latte”, will be the first to grac...

10 March 2021

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Site works begin on Quest Hastings city hotel build

Site works begin on Quest Hastings city hotel build

Work has begun this month on the new Quest Apartment Hotel being built in Hastings, the culmination of a long-stand...

22 December 2020

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Let there be light in Civic Square

Let there be light in Civic Square

Another lighting installation is coming to brighten up Civic Square, sure to inspire and delight visitors to Hastin...

7 August 2020

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Outdoor dining areas on track for summer socialising

Outdoor dining areas on track for summer socialising

This summer, the east side of Hastings is set to become a popular outdoor socialising space as work to develop the ...

31 July 2020

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Hastings District Council adopts Arts, Culture and Events Recovery Plan

Hastings District Council adopts Arts, Culture and Events Recovery Plan

Arts and culture open days, free performances, lighting installations, art tours and more are on the Hastings event...

17 July 2020

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 Funding for Hastings inner city street development

Funding for Hastings inner city street development

Hastings’ Eastside Eat Street project has received a funding boost that will further enhance one of the city’s ...

22 June 2020

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City centre revitalisation continues with Karamū Road North upgrade

City centre revitalisation continues with Karamū Road North upgrade

The enhancement of Hastings’ city centre continues next week with work scheduled to begin on the Karamū Road Nor...

21 February 2020

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Last installations for summer will light up city centre

Last installations for summer will light up city centre

To see out the last of summer, Hastings District Council has two more exciting, large-scale lighting and sound inst...

20 February 2020

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New giant lighting installation coming to Hastings city centre

New giant lighting installation coming to Hastings city centre

Another spectacular lighting installation is coming to Hastings this week, but wait there’s more…this display h...

11 February 2020

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All welcome to Cornwall Park playground

All welcome to Cornwall Park playground

The finishing touches are being applied and preparations are afoot to celebrate the opening of the revamped Cornwal...

13 December 2019

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Hastings Alive November 2019 Update

Hastings Alive November 2019 Update

There is a lot happening in the Hastings City centre. Read all about in our latest newsletter update.

27 November 2019

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Large light sculptures to pop up in Hastings city

Large light sculptures to pop up in Hastings city

Hastings City centre will light up in the lead up to Christmas this year, with two temporary, spectacular, large-sc...

22 November 2019

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District plan variation paves way for inner city living

District plan variation paves way for inner city living

Another step has been made towards creating more vibrancy in the Hastings city centre with changes now made to the ...

8 August 2019

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New city centre hotel will stimulate growth and extra vibrancy

New city centre hotel will stimulate growth and extra vibrancy

A new 35-room apartment-style hotel is to be built in the Hastings city centre in a vacant building behind the Hawk...

24 May 2019

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Blessing held for church garden development

Blessing held for church garden development

In May 2018, the St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church submitted to the Hastings District Council Annual Plan, seeking ...

17 April 2019

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 New Queen St proposal part of city vibrancy initiative

New Queen St proposal part of city vibrancy initiative

A block of land on Queen St West will be turned into an off-street carpark and covered walkway providing greater co...

25 March 2019

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Hastings’ city centre revitalisation underway

Hastings’ city centre revitalisation underway

The enhancement of Hastings’ city centre is officially underway with the adoption of a public spaces revitalisati...

1 March 2019

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