Hastings Housing, Golf Plan Near Aerodrome: ‘No-Complaint Covenant’ in Spotlight
A rezoning proposal near Hastings Aerodrome seeks approval for 170 homes on golf‑club land, paired with a “no‑complaint covenant” that would bar future residents from objecting to airport operations. A 2025 planning report warned the covenant is an inadequate mitigation for the potential “reverse sensitivity” impact on the aerodrome’s long‑term viability. The independent consenting panel has asked developers to submit a revised covenant provision by May 22, while the final decision remains pending. If approved, the project also aims to transform the golf club into a tourism destination with two world‑class courses.
Hawke’s Bay Baker Says Wholesalers Should Be ‘Stepping up’ as Butter Prices Spike Again
Butter prices in New Zealand have jumped again, with a 500 g Woolworths block climbing from NZ$7.30 (≈$4.4 USD) to NZ$8.39 (≈$5.0 USD). Local baker Courtney Booth reports her weekly butter spend of about NZ$800 (≈$480 USD) and notes wholesalers charge roughly NZ$9 ($5.4 USD) per...
Using Hawke’s Bay’s Rivers to Unlock the Mysteries of Marine Carbon Storage
Marine biogeochemist Cliff Law of ESNZ is leading a multi‑phase study in Hawke’s Bay to quantify how natural river‑borne alkalinity, phytoplankton blooms, and wood debris sequester carbon in the ocean. The project will use a moored buoy, autonomous surface craft,...
On The Up: Chance Encounter at Hawke’s Bay Marathon Inspires Woman’s First Race in 35 Years
Kathryn Marsh, 61, was moved by a struggling 20‑year‑old runner at the 2025 Hawke’s Bay Marathon and decided to train for her own marathon after a 35‑year hiatus. She completed an 8.5 km walk, recovered from a hamstring tear with a...
‘Like a Treasure Map’: New Tool Points CHB Farmers to More Profitable Crops
Central Hawke’s Bay District Council has launched an interactive Crop Suitability Map that lets farmers test the viability of 16 high‑value crops on their land. The tool blends long‑term climate forecasts, soil characteristics, yield potential and economic data, assuming reliable...
Scotland’s ‘Sure Thing’ an Investment Lesson - Nick Stewart
In 1698 Scotland poured roughly £400,000—about NZ$28 billion (≈US$16.8 billion) or £12 billion (≈US$15 billion)—into the Darien colony, a venture that collapsed with 2,000 deaths and total loss of capital. The failure forced the Scottish Parliament to accept the 1707 Acts of Union, receiving...
Te Rahui: NZ’s Largest Approved Solar Farm Underway Between Taupō and Napier
Construction has begun on Te Rahui, New Zealand’s largest approved solar farm, spanning roughly 800 ha between Taupō and Napier. The joint venture by Nova Energy (Todd Corp) and Meridian Energy will install more than 700,000 panels delivering about 400 MW, enough to power...
Napier Wants to Get Rid of ‘Rural Residential’ Rates, Leaving Lifestyle Block Owner Facing Big Rates Increases
Napier City Council is proposing to eliminate the "rural residential" rate category, reclassifying 1,583 lifestyle block properties as standard residential. The change would raise owners like Robert Best’s rates by about 16% this year, nearly double the council’s projected average...
Hawke’s Bay’s New $25 Million Hospice Granted Consent in Hastings
Cranford Hospice in Hawke’s Bay secured resource consent to build a new $25.5 million facility (≈$15.3 million USD) on a 1.1‑hectare site at 238 Havelock Rd. To date, donors have contributed about $19.5 million (≈$11.7 million USD), covering most of the projected cost. Construction...
Robotic-Assisted Surgery Introduced in Hawke’s Bay with Royston Hospital Urology Operations
Robotic‑assisted surgery arrived in Hawke’s Bay as Royston Hospital installed Medtronic’s Hugo system, marking the region’s first use of a surgical robot. The first two procedures, robot‑assisted prostatectomies, were completed in March 2024, allowing patients to stay local instead of...
Rush Munro’s Is Turning 100 - Michael Fowler on How One of NZ’s Oldest Established Ice Creameries Started
Rush Munro’s, one of New Zealand’s oldest ice‑cream makers, celebrates its 100th anniversary in May 2026. Founder Frederick Charles Rush‑Munro, an English immigrant who survived a severe hand injury and multiple personal tragedies, eventually settled in Hastings in 1926 with just $1,200. The...
Still in a Cave: Why some Investors Refuse to Believe that More Effort Doesn’t Always Mean a Better Result -...
Nick Stewart argues that the active‑vs‑passive debate is settled by data: the latest Spiva New Zealand Scorecard shows the vast majority of active funds have trailed their benchmarks in 2025 and over longer horizons. He attributes investors' persistence with active managers...
Dam Opponents Urge Hawke’s Bay Regional Council to Halt Funding for Makaroro River Project
Opponents of the Tukituki Water Security Project presented an 828‑person petition to Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, demanding a public commitment not to fund the proposed Makaroro River dam. The government recently approved a NZ$18 million loan (≈US$10.8 million) for the project, which...
SH2 at Takapau Closed After Fatal Two-Vehicle Crash in Hawke’s Bay
State Highway 2 near Takapau in Hawke’s Bay saw a two‑vehicle collision that killed one person and injured four, three seriously, prompting police to close the highway until after 9 pm. Detours were established via Maharakeke Rd and SH 50, and motorists were warned...
Government Cracks Down on Sales of Nangs; Dairy and Vape Store Large-Canister Sales Now Deemed Illegal
The New Zealand government announced a crackdown on the sale of large‑canister nitrous‑oxide “nangs,” classifying any canister over 10 grams as a psycho‑active substance. Dairies and vape stores in Hawke’s Bay are now prohibited from selling up to 3.3‑litre canisters, which...