Hawke’s Bay Spiderwebs Explained: What ‘Ballooning’ Spiders Are Doing
Hawke’s Bay residents have witnessed thousands of spider silk strands drifting through the air as young spiders engage in “ballooning,” a seasonal dispersal behavior. The regional council confirms the phenomenon peaks in late summer and early autumn, especially after warm, rainy days. Ballooning spiders release fine silk threads that catch wind, allowing them to travel long distances to new habitats. The council assures the event is harmless, temporary, and a natural spectacle rather than a pest problem.
Flaxmere Village Centre Master Plan Approved After Years of Planning
The Hastings District Council approved TW Property's master plan to transform Flaxmere village centre, adding a new road linking Henderson Road to Pam O’Keefe Avenue and upgraded public spaces. The phased project will incorporate cultural design elements from Te Aranga and...
Transpower’s $47m Redclyffe Rebuild Gets Green Light to Boost Hawke’s Bay Power Resilience
Transpower has secured Commerce Commission approval for a $47 million rebuild of the Redclyffe substation in Hawke’s Bay, slated to start in November 2026 and finish by late 2027. The project will raise the 220 kV switchyard above the 1‑in‑450‑year floodplain and...
Parliamentary Briefing Launched Into McCain and Heinz Wattie’s Plant Closures
The Primary Production Select Committee will hold a briefing on April 30 to investigate the announced closures of McCain Foods' Hastings vegetable‑processing plant and Heinz Wattie’s sites in Christchurch, Dunedin and Auckland. The shutdowns will eliminate roughly 500 jobs, with McCain...
Napier Brothers’ Hokey Pokey LA Ice Cream Shops a Hit with Lenny Kravitz, Sandra Bullock, Leonardo DiCaprio
Three Napier brothers have turned their New Zealand‑style ice‑cream concept into Hokey Pokey LA, a pair of storefronts on Hollywood Boulevard and Century City Mall that serve real‑fruit soft‑serve, hokey‑pokey, pavlova and other Kiwi treats. The shops have attracted A‑list visitors such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Sandra Bullock...
NZ Herald Premium Subscription Special Offer: Get the Best Journalism From Here and Abroad for 99 Cents a Week
The New Zealand Herald celebrates the seventh anniversary of its Premium digital subscription by launching a limited‑time offer of 99 c per week (about $0.60 USD) for six months, or an introductory annual price of $79 (≈ $47 USD) for the first year followed by...
On The Up: Moxy the Wellbeing Pony Brings Joy to Children at Hawke’s Bay Hospital
Moxy, a nine‑hand miniature pony, visited the pediatric ward at Hawke’s Bay Hospital as part of end‑of‑life doula Alysha Jayne’s Grief to Peace program. The brief encounter sparked visible emotional lifts, with some children sitting up for the first time...
Facebook News Creator Shares AI-Generated Image of Body Bags at Hastings Triple-Homicide - Police and Netsafe Issue Warning over Fake...
A Facebook news page shared an AI‑generated image depicting body bags at the Hastings triple‑homicide scene, prompting criticism from police and online‑safety group Netsafe. The image, posted by Australia/NZ Crime TV, contained obvious AI errors such as a misspelled “ambulance”...
Hawke’s Bay Hospital ED to Get Peer Mental Health Support Workers
New Zealand’s Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced a $61.6 million (≈ US$37 million) investment to place peer mental‑health support workers in emergency departments, starting with Hawke’s Bay, Whangārei and Hutt Valley. The program expands a model already operating in eight hospitals to...
The Rise of Hastings’ Brave Brewery’s Tigermilk Ale
Brave Brewery’s Tigermilk IPA, the flagship product of the Hawke’s Bay‑based brewer, accounts for roughly 60% of its output, with an average of 2,600 litres brewed each week. The beer earned the 2025 Champion New Zealand IPA award and is celebrating its...
What Would Hastings Look Like if Heinz Wattie’s Closed? - Nick Stewart
Hastings District Council, already carrying roughly $300 million USD in debt and a projected $420 million USD by 2030, has received no financial modelling for the imminent loss of its two biggest food manufacturers. McCain will shut its vegetable‑processing plant by January 2027,...
On The Up: Napier’s Paisley Stage to Host New Monthly Hawke’s Bay Blues Nights
The Hawke’s Bay Blues Club will host a curated blues night each month at Napier’s Paisley Stage, beginning May 6. Each event gives local musicians a 20‑minute slot to showcase a range of blues styles, from Chicago to a‑cappella. Founder David McCall,...
Four Admit Manslaughter of Homeless Man Boy Taylor in Napier, but Deny Murdering Him
Four men—Tuarima Alexander, Rua Hune, Takarangi Kumar and a suppressed‑identity defendant—have pleaded guilty to manslaughter but deny murder in the death of 58‑year‑old homeless man Boy Taylor in Napier. The two‑minute assault, captured on more than 40 hours of CCTV,...
Hawkes Bay Expressway Four-Lane Upgrade Right on Track, with a Little Help From the Cyclone Silt
New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay Expressway four‑lane expansion remains on schedule, with completion targeted for 2029. The $600 million (≈$360 million USD) project, part of the Roads of National Significance programme, will duplicate bridges and add a grade‑separated interchange along a 7‑km stretch...
A Bachelor in a Bach: Mahanga Design a Contemporary Charmer
Mahanga Bach, a contemporary‑traditional holiday home in Hawke’s Bay, earned the 2020 housing award from the New Zealand Institute of Architects’ Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay chapter. Designed by architect Harry Croucher of Edwards White, the off‑grid property blends solar power, gas...
Hastings Councillor Threatens Legal Action over Water Services Entity Plan
Hastings District Councillor Gary Gibson has threatened a judicial review to stop the rollout of a new water services entity, arguing that the proposed board – three councillors, three iwi representatives and three appointed experts – was not fully disclosed...
Hawke’s Bay First Prostate LDR Brachytherapy Patient Back on Motorbike Within Weeks
In February 2026, Nick Mardle became Hawke’s Bay’s first patient to receive low‑dose‑rate (LDR) brachytherapy for prostate cancer, a minimally invasive internal radiotherapy previously only offered in Christchurch and Tauranga. The three‑hour outpatient procedure allowed him to resume motorbike riding...
On The Up: Napier Hairstyling Workshop Aiming to Bond Dads and Daughters
EIT hairdressing tutor Courtney Cook is launching a Daddy‑Daughter Hairstyling workshop in Napier on 26 April. The two‑and‑a‑half‑hour session costs $40 NZD (about $24 USD) and will accommodate eight dads with daughters aged 4‑10. Participants will learn three hairstyles—ponytails, braids and buns—while receiving...
Central Hawke’s Bay Mum Has Leg Removed in Fight Against Clear Cell Sarcoma Pain
Alicia Brough, a Central Hawke’s Bay mother, had her right leg amputated to excise a stage‑four clear cell sarcoma that had metastasized to her lungs and lymph nodes. After a three‑week Keytruda regimen in Mexico caused type 1 diabetes and liver...
Whistleblower Sparks Investigation Into Health New Zealand’s Medical Scanning Services
A protected disclosure by consultant radiologist Dr. Bryan Wolf has triggered an independent inquiry into Health New Zealand’s radiology services, led by former Solicitor‑General Michael Heron KC. The board confirmed the investigation after earlier reports revealed patient harm from outdated...
Fresh Probe Into Handling of Former Xero Chief Executive Sir Rod Drury Misconduct Complaint
Xero has launched an independent review of misconduct allegations made by former junior employee Ally Naylor against ex‑CEO Sir Rod Drury. The complaint, first raised in 2016 and formally filed in 2017, resurfaced after Drury received a knighthood and the New Zealander of...
Dannevirke’s Elderly Safer-Driving Course Enabling Independence
Age Concern Palmerston North launched a "Staying Safe" refresher course for drivers aged 65 and older in Dannevirke, aiming to update seniors on recent road‑code changes and renew driving confidence. The classroom‑based program, supported by the NZ Transport Agency, covers...
NZME Celebrates Nominations at Voyager Media Awards
NZME, the owner of the NZ Herald and seven regional papers, has earned a sweeping set of nominations at the 2026 Voyager Media Awards. The company is in contention for top honors such as Digital News Provider of the Year, Metropolitan...
Tiniroto Rd Safety Fears Grow as Rural Gisborne Residents Report Hundreds of Potholes
Residents along Tiniroto Road in rural Gisborne have taken matters into their own hands, filling hundreds of deep potholes with gravel as council repairs stall. Gisborne District Council says permanent resurfacing is on hold until cyclone‑recovery work and the Hangaroa...
Flaxmere Plan Will Extend Road Through Middle of Village as Part of Redevelopment
TW Group plans to extend Henderson Road through Flaxmere, creating a north‑south corridor that links the village centre to a new Woolworths supermarket slated for mid‑2026. The redevelopment will replace most existing structures with affordable housing, upgraded retail, parks and...
R.E.I.D Wellbeing Program’s Reach Extends to 28 Hawke’s Bay Schools
The R.E.I.D Wellbeing Program now serves 28 Hawke’s Bay schools, reaching over 12,000 students with software tools that promote emotional wellbeing and mental‑health resilience. The program is backed by the Reid O’Leary Charitable Trust, which urges modest community donations—about $6...
Norsewear Upbeat Despite No Deal with New Zealand Rugby for Supporters’ Beanies
Norsewear, a Tararua‑based wool clothing brand, wrote an open letter to New Zealand Rugby urging the use of natural wool for All Blacks supporters’ beanies. NZR responded that existing licensing agreements prevented a new partnership, and discussions shifted to woolen socks, which...
Waitlist Drops, but 717 Still Waiting for Gynaecology Care in Hawke’s Bay
Health New Zealand reports 717 patients still awaiting gynecology care in Hawke’s Bay, down from over 900 last year, as weekly new consultations rise to 39. Waiting periods over a year have fallen to 113, yet many women with chronic conditions...
Air New Zealand Is the Worst of Both Worlds – Nick Stewart
Air New Zealand, half‑owned by the New Zealand government, is grappling with soaring jet‑fuel costs that have doubled its daily fuel bill to about $8.5 million. Analysts project a FY 2026 loss of roughly NZ$226 million (≈US$135 million) and a share price sliding to NZ$0.48, near...
One Shot at a Time: Guy Harrison’s Journey to National Golf Title
Guy Harrison, a New Zealander with cerebral palsy, captured the NZ All Abilities golf championship, ending three years of Australian dominance. His win marks the first national title for a Kiwi since the event’s inception and underscores golf’s inclusive nature....
Matangi’s Marbled-Beef Marvel: Mark Story Throws a Tomahawk over Fire
Matangi Butchery in Hawke’s Bay showcases a premium Black Angus ribeye tomahawk, dry‑aged up to 21 days and priced at NZ$116.84 (≈US$70). The farm credits genetics, pasture‑based farming and careful ageing for the beef’s high marbling, likening its terroir to...
Frozen Veg in New Zealand: The Data Behind McCain and Wattie’s Cuts
McCain and Wattie's announced factory closures and job cuts in New Zealand's frozen‑vegetable sector. They cite soaring energy and labour costs and a sharp drop in frozen‑veg demand, with households spending only about $8 USD per year on frozen peas. Despite overall...
Napier: Twofold Bay Trawler Sinking and Reef Project Full Steam Ahead
A decommissioned 60‑year‑old trawler, the Twofold Bay, is slated to be sunk within three months to create Hawke’s Bay’s first artificial reef. The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council granted resource consent, permitting up to 50 concrete reef cones to protect the...
Hastings Lantern Festival 2026: 150 Chinese Students’ Paintings to Feature at Osmanthus Gardens
The Hastings Lantern Festival 2026 will feature an exhibition of 150 paintings sent by Chinese students, expanding a cultural exchange that began after Cyclone Gabrielle. The collection includes works from multiple Chinese cities and six large scrolls created by disabled...
Ōtāne Volunteer Fire Brigade Welcomes New Chief Fire Officer Rob Grayson
Rob Grayson has been appointed chief fire officer of the Ōtāne Volunteer Fire Brigade, succeeding John Oliver after a 32‑year tenure. Grayson, a 17‑year firefighter and former deputy chief, now oversees day‑to‑day operations for the 17‑member volunteer unit. He highlighted...
Insurer Flags ‘Sea Surge’ Risk for some Napier Parklands Estate Properties
Tower Insurance has refused to underwrite several homes in Napier’s Parklands residential estate, citing a high risk of sea‑surge flooding despite the development’s use of recent coastal inundation modelling and elevated ground levels. The insurer relies on address‑specific hazard modelling...
Napier’s The Sushi Club Waits Six Weeks for Money Owed After Uber Eats Account Hacked
The Sushi Club in Napier had its Uber Eats account hacked, prompting Uber to freeze nearly $3,000 in pending payouts while investigating. Owner Penny Leigh repeatedly sought updates but received none for six weeks, forcing the restaurant to suspend Uber...
First Dannevirke Solar Farm Under Construction, with Plans for Another in 2027
Construction has begun on Dannevirke's first solar farm, a 23‑megawatt (MW) facility expected to supply electricity for roughly 5,000 homes. The project, developed by Bright Fern Energy and built with materials from GameChange Solar, is 58% owned by an Australian...
New $15.5m Te Rēinga Bridge Opens After Cyclone Damage
The $15.5 million NZD (≈$9.3 million USD) Te Rēinga Bridge officially opened, restoring the vital link between Wairoa’s Ruakituri Road and Tiniroto Road. Featuring a 90.5 m weathering‑steel arch and a 13.5 m single‑lane span, the structure is engineered to last 100 years and resist floods...
Hawke’s Bay Energy Summit to Tackle Rising Power Costs and Supply Risks
The Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce is convening an Energy Summit after a survey of its Leaders Circle identified soaring energy costs as the region’s top business concern. Recent events—including Pan Pac’s two‑week pulp‑mill shutdown when wholesale electricity spiked to...
Three Years of Cyclone Repair Works Conclude on SH2 and SH5 in Hawke’s Bay
After three years of intensive repairs, State Highway 2 between Napier and Wairoa and State Highway 5 between Napier and Taupō are fully restored following Cyclone Gabrielle’s February 2023 damage. The effort covered roughly 65 repair sites, with the Devil’s Elbow stretch on SH2...
Central Hawke’s Bay College Students Explore Stress Management with Ice Bath
Central Hawke’s Bay College Year 11 health students spent a week learning stress‑management techniques, including ice‑bath breathing exercises. Teacher Caitlin Cahill introduced practical sessions to build resilience, linking them to broader concepts of mental health and hauora. The program featured diverse...
Hastings District Council Staff to Move Into New Mass-Timber Tumu-Owned Office Building
Hastings District Council will relocate 80 staff from three separate sites into a new four‑storey mass‑timber office building on Lyndon Road, owned by Tumu Property. The council sold the former Heretaunga House site to Tumu for about US$1.5 million and will...
Napier Crash: Truck and Trailer Roll Closes SH51 Lane Near Awatoto Rd
A truck hauling a shipping container rolled off State Highway 51 near Awatoto, Napier, at 11:20 am on March 30, blocking the northbound lane and landing between the road and railway tracks. One person was air‑lifted to Hawke’s Bay Hospital in serious condition....
Dresses for Rent: Hawke’s Bay Mother Builds a Business From Her Wardrobe to Stay Home with Her Baby
Nina Woodham, a Havelock North mother, launched Dress NZ, a home‑based dress‑rental service, using her own wardrobe as seed inventory. Within a year she expanded from 10 to about 60 dresses, each rented for roughly $36 USD with delivery included. The business...
Hawke’s Bay Chef on Losing His Sight: ‘They Say the Blind Can’t Lead the Blind. I Disagree’
Earl Zapf, a former Hawke’s Bay chef and culinary tutor, was diagnosed with myopic macular degeneration in 2021 and has since lost most central vision. He authored the memoir "Blindfulness," a collection of field‑note style reflections on adapting to blindness,...
As Diesel Prices Surpass 91 Petrol, Truckies Say Goods and Groceries Will Start Going up Too
Diesel prices in New Zealand have surged 80% since February, reaching $3.24‑$3.45 NZD per litre (about $1.94‑$2.07 USD), overtaking 91 petrol for the first time. Petrol has risen only 35% in the same period. Trucking firms are absorbing extra costs—up to $150 NZD (~$90 USD) daily...
Central and Southern Hawke’s Bay Music History Mapped
Hawke’s Bay‑born country singer Glen Moffett has authored the Central and Southern Music Map for AudioCulture, a digital “Noisy Library” of New Zealand music. Drawing on the Hawke’s Bay Knowledge Bank and interviews with locals, the map chronicles everything from 19th‑century...
Takahē Breeding Pairs Released at Cape Kidnappers Golf Course Sanctuary
Three experienced takahē breeding pairs were released this week at Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, expanding the sanctuary’s managed population within New Zealand’s 2,530‑hectare Cape Sanctuary wildlife‑restoration project. The sanctuary, now home to 18 free‑roaming birds and authorized for up to 100,...
Hastings McCain Vegetable Factory to Shut in 2027, Jobs at Risk
McCain Foods announced that its vegetable processing plant in Hastings, New Zealand, will cease operations by 31 January 2027 after a strategic review of its ANZ supply model. The facility, which handled more than 50,000 tonnes of peas, beans, sweetcorn and carrots each year,...