Two years on from Cyclone Gabrielle, the Hastings District Council was facing a $230m recovery bill.
New Zealand
Mon, Feb 16
Eight severe weather-related states of emergency have already been declared this year, matching the total for all of 2025.
Environment
Police said a member of the public made the discovery on Mahanga Beach about 1pm on Saturday.
Crime and Justice
Sun, Feb 15
Multiple crews from Wairoa, Gisborne, Nuhaka and Manutuke were called after a fridge fire became well involved on Sunday morning.
A deepening weather system trapped between two high‑pressure ridges is set to funnel tropical moisture back over Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
Sat, Feb 14
Mayor Rodney Dow said the district had been lashed by rain, with reports of flooding, slips and inundation.
An inspection was launched at the Clifton Motor Camp 1, east of Hastings, after leaseholders at the campsite identified "dangerous trees" above the campground.
Fri, Feb 13
Sam Hall is the second person in less than a month to speak out about the stress of a council system that advises dog owners of complaints made about their pets by anonymous neighbours.
Thu, Feb 12
Fire and Emergency New Zealand called to the incident in Eskdale at about 1.20pm today.
Tue, Feb 10
Homicide investigators say this is a “tragic and avoidable death of a much-loved mother, grandmother and sister”.
Mon, Feb 9
Police said the deaths of both people would be referred to the Coroner.
Two Central Hawke’s Bay windscreen repair businesses have replaced dozens of windscreens.
Sun, Feb 8
The boy went missing in the Westshore area sometime between 6pm and 8.30pm on Thursday.
Fri, Feb 6
A 19-year-old was arrested and charged following the incident, police said.
Wed, Feb 4
Hastings 46-year-old Andy Winitana was critically injured in the attack on West Quay in Ahuriri at around 1am on Sunday.
Police were called to a property on Taihape Rd in Omahu this morning.
Tue, Feb 3
Water test results indicate a natural blackwater event caused the death of hundreds of eels in the Waiatāi Stream, near Wairoa.
The $2.5 million development on Queen St West includes housing, commercial space and new public amenities.
Mon, Feb 2
Police have arrested a 21-year-old man in relation to the investigation and are requesting any witnesses come forward.
Sun, Feb 1
Adrian Wright, who has been the region’s harbourmaster since 2024, said it was his wife who prompted him to apply for the position.
Fri, Jan 30
Steve Gibson said he would not attend a meeting at the Waiohiki Marae as he "didn't appreciate listening to extended addresses delivered in te reo without translation".
Thu, Jan 29
Last week's extreme weather caused significant damage across parts of the upper North Island, forcing some people out of their homes.
Crews have been hard at work after last week's storm forced the closure of several key highways in affected regions, leaving some communities cut off.
Police were called to the Z on Tennyson and Station Streets after four males entered the service station at around 1.15am Wednesday and took cash from the tills.
Three of the seven red-eared slider turtles stolen from the bird aviary at Cornwall Park in Hastings have been found.
Mon, Jan 26
