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 from winter hibernation. See below for more details.

Hastings city centre outdoor dining and seating upgrades

Coming up – August to December 2021

Both outdoor dining areas outside Breakers Restaurant and Westerman’s Café were completed at the end of July, with positive feedback from customers. The umbrella systems will be added when they have been fabricated.  Contractors are due to commence work outside John’s Bakery this week, aiming to complete the three new outdoor areas in the 300 West block (Thompson’s Suits and Madeleines) by mid-September.

These projects are enhancements of existing outdoor dining or seating areas, so won’t use any existing car parking spaces. The design continues the palette used in the Heretaunga East 200 block.

Projects almost completed

Heretaunga 200 East: The second stage of the Hastings Eastside Eat Street project is made possible by $300,000 funding received from Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency’s Innovating Streets pilot fund. The transformation of this block is nearly complete, with decorative gates, entry planter boxes, and raised pedestrian crossings just some of the initiatives aimed at making this area even more people-friendly for visitors and businesses.  The installation of the festoon lights will complete the project, with it due to be celebrated at the Taste Hastings event on Friday, September 10.

Queen Street East 200: The pavement works and new planter boxes and trees on the corner of Karamu Rd and Queen St will be completed once construction works on the Hansen development have finished.

Looking ahead

Heretaunga Street East 300 block: Final design is being prepared for the upgrade of this block, with construction expected to be commence later in the year in time for the opening of the Municipal Buildings in April 2022. While yet to be confirmed, the design is likely to include outdoor dining along the full length of the Municipal Building, and an outdoor seating area on the corner of Heretaunga and Warren streets.

Eastbourne Street East 300 block: This street enhancement, scheduled to start early next year, will complete the Eastbourne Street East street upgrade between Hastings Street and Warren Street. New footpath paving, street lights and rata trees will complete the visual link between the Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre, the Hastings Art Gallery and the Library.

Taste Hastings and Blossom Festival

Pencil the dates of September 10 and 11 in your calendar – it’s going to be all go in the city centre as we welcome spring with our annual Blossom Festival and Parade and more!

On the back of last year’s inaugural event, Taste Hastings is ramping up on September 10 with the opportunity to sample some great local businesses and products from our bustling city and district.

From 4pm Heretaunga St will be closed to traffic between Albert Square and Warren St, with the pedestrian area extended to in front of Landmarks Square.

Twenty-two local wineries will take over the street with a pop-up “Wine Walk” offering the chance to taste all your favourite award-winning wines at great prices. Albert Square will be hopping with food trucks, a mini-golf for grown-ups and live music from Tropical Downbeat Orchestra.

The mini-golf will be in place from Thursday, September 9 to Sunday, September 12.

For more entertainment there will be a DJ performing at Landmarks Square - all going down between 4pm and 8pm.

Then on September 11, the whole city will be celebrating at the ever-popular Blossom Festival. This event regularly attracts around 20,000 visitors who join together to enjoy the spectacular Blossom Parade and more.

To make the most of the carnival atmosphere and encourage people to enjoy being in the city a little longer, extra activities have been added to this special day this year.

The parade float prizegiving will be at Albert Square with entertainment, and activities throughout the day.

Activations calendar

HRP 2615 Photo credit: Hazel Redmond

In coming months a schedule of inner city activations and installations is lined up - either accompanying events or as standalone attractions.

Over the past two years these have been hugely popular, attracting lots of visitors, so present an opportunity for businesses and retailers to look at opportunities to leverage off the extra people in town.

The Sphere in Albert Square

By Fish Aberadi

A wooden globe made from recycled timber that is lit from within and rotates.

When:  August 24 – September 24

Water Fun in the City Centre fountain

About 20 different coloured glowing orbs will float in the fountain creating a luminous display that’s bound to enchant.

When: During September.

Kerbside collection feedback wanted

Council is looking at whether the kerbside refuse collection service for our inner city businesses is as efficient as it could be, and whether it would work for businesses to change to a once-a-week collection rather than twice weekly.

Currently, we collect businesses’ wheelie bins on a Monday and Thursday, but we’re keen to hear if there would be an appetite to switch to a one-day a week service, using a larger wheelie bin. If supported we propose to change to a weekly collection on Thursdays.

On a separate note, we acknowledge that the service (whether it’s the current twice weekly or proposed weekly service) isn’t practical for all of our CBD properties, particularly those with multiple tenants. Alternatively you may not need all of the bins you have been provided with. Under our Remission policy we now provide flexibility for you to return some or all of your refuse bins and we’ll credit your rate account accordingly. 

Bins not required will typically need to be returned to council prior to the start of the rating year.

Let us know what you think by emailing reducewaste@hdc.govt.nz by September 30.

Façade enhancement scheme

Our heritage buildings add special character to our inner city and our long-running façade enhancement programme has supported a number of buildings to reach their full potential, transformed with eye-catching colour makeovers.

Operating since 1993, the Façade Enhancement Scheme has support the enhancement of more than 100 heritage buildings in the city centre and council is encouraging other building owners to investigate upgrading their building facades.

Applications can be made to council, after which a design studio is engaged to meet with the building owner and discuss concepts – there is no cost for this service.

Then, a colour scheme and art work is created, reviewed by the owner and included in a final recommendation for assessment, which considers the building’s heritage significance, physical elements, impact within the local area and remedial works.

 Council can provide funding to support the enhancement work up to $12,000 for a project, depending on the criteria and its size and scale.

 To find out more and apply go to the Façade Enhancement Scheme page.

Upcoming events

Edible Fashion Awards

When: August 31 - September 4

Where: Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre

Find out more on the Edible Fashion Awards website

Waiata Music Awards

When: September 10

Where: Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre

See Waiata Music Awards website for more information

Taste Hastings

Mark your calendar because Hastings is throwing a party and it’s free entry for all – about 2000 people expected.

When: September 10, 4pm to 8pm

Where: Heretaunga St East and Warren St

Tarzino Trophy Daffodil Raceday

When: September 11, 11am-6pm

Where: Hastings Racecourse

More details on the Hawke's Bay Racing website.

Blossom Festival and Parade

Attracting 20,000 people into the city, this signature Spring event is a real crowd-pleaser.

When: September 11

Where: Hastings City Centre

For more info go to Event Finda.

Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction

When: September 18

Where: Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre

More info on the Hawke's Bay Wine Auction website.

Guilin/Hastings Sister Cities 40-year celebrations

When: September 22-24

Where: Functions on Hastings, Toitoi

Sister Cities showcase, community information and school children’s activities.

When: September 25

The street outside Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre will be closed to host a range of Sister Cities Alive performances, details to be confirmed.

Ongoing activities at Council

Hastings City Art Gallery

Ayesha Green: To the best of my Knowledge

This exhibition runs until November 28, looking at the visual language and history of Native Schooling in New Zealand with a focus on Hukarere Girls’ College, founded in 1875 and located in Hawke’s Bay.

Out of the shadows: a print journey with Carole Shepheard and friends

Carole Shepheard is a well-known figure in the arts landscape of Aotearoa New Zealand, in 2002 appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to the arts. On from August 28 to November 7.

Check the Hastings City Art Gallery website for more details.

Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre

Go to the Toitoi website for the latest events and information.

Hastings District Libraries

Check the Hastings District Libraries website to find out more.

17 November 2021

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