Hastings District Council

This article is about the council in New Zealand. For the council in England, see Hastings Borough Council.

Hastings District Council (Māori: Te Kaunihera ā-Rohe o Heretaunga) is the territorial authority for the Hastings District of New Zealand.^[1]

Hastings District Council Te Kaunihera ā-Rohe o Heretaunga
Territorial authority
Type
Type	Unicameral
History
Established	March 6, 1989 (1989-03-06), 36 years ago
Preceded by	Hastings City Council Havelock North Borough Council Hawke's Bay County Council
Leadership
Mayor	Sandra Hazlehurst since 30 November 2017
Deputy	Tania Kerr since 12 December 2017
CEO	To’osavili Nigel Bickle since 11 February 2019
Structure
Seats	16 seats (1 mayor, 15 ward seats)
Political groups	Independent (16)
Length of term	3 years, renewable
Elections
Voting system	First-past-the-post
Last election	8 October 2022
Next election	11 October 2025
Meeting place
Council building on Lyndon Rd E in Hastings
Website
hastingsdc.govt.nz

The council covers the urban areas of Havelock North, Hastings and Flaxmere, and the surrounding settlements of Clive, Te Awanga, Haumoana and Waimarama. It was formed in 1989, through the merger of Hastings City Council, Havelock North Borough Council and the Hawke's Bay County Council.^[1]

The council is led by the mayor of Hastings, who is currently Sandra Hazlehurst^[2].^[1]

History

2022–2025 term

Main article: 2022–2025 term of the Hastings District Council

The 2022–2025 term was dominated by the recovery of the district following the destruction caused by Cyclone Gabrielle. The council also dealt with issues related to infrastructure, crime, its youth council and finances.

Composition

Current ward map (Takitimu Māori ward covers whole district)

Hastings District Council is made up of one mayor and 15 councillors representing five general wards and one Māori ward.^[3]

Currently the council has 15 councillors, and 1 mayor.^[3] All councillors are currently unaffiliated with any political party or group.

Mayor

Main article: Mayor of Hastings

The current mayor is Sandra Hazlehurst.

Mayor		Affiliation
	Sandra Hazlehurst	None

List of current councillors

Ward	Photo	Councillor	Affiliation
Mohaka		Tania Kerr	None
Flaxmere		Henry Heke	None
Hastings-Havelock North		Malcolm Dixon	None
		Michael Fowler	None
		Damon Harvey	None
		Eileen Lawson	None
		Simon Nixon	None
		Wendy Schollum	None[a]
		Kevin Watkins	None
Heretaunga		Alwyn Corban	None
		Hana Montaperto-Hendry	None
Kahuranaki		Marcus Buddo	None
Takitimu		Ana Apatu	None
		Kellie Jessup	None[b]
		Heather Te Au-Skipworth	None

Rural Community Board

The council also has a Rural Community Board, made up of four members elected from four rural community areas:^[1][4]

• Kaweka subdivision: Isabele Crawshaw
• Maraekakaho subdivision: Jonathan Stockley
• Poukawa subdivision: Vicki Scoular
• Tutira subdivision: Abby Morley
• District councillors representing Mohaka, Kahuranaki, and Takitimu wards are also members.

Coat of arms

Coat of arms of Hastings District Council

Notes The council has a coat of arms, granted in 1993, which incorporates features from the coats of arms of the former Hastings City, Havelock North Borough and Hawke's Bay County councils. The blazon is:[5][6] Crest On a wreath of the colours, clouds Argent, rays Or, a sunburst supporting a toothed wheel, perforated of six, centred and rimmed Argent, Gules. Escutcheon Per pale Vert and Argent, in dexter a cross-crosslet fitchy Or (for Havelock North Borough Council); in sinister, on a cross carved with a Māori pattern Gules, a sun in splendour Or (for Hawke's Bay County Council); on a chief party per pale Argent and Vert, a lion passant guardant, armed and langued Gules within an orle of fern leaves all counterchanged (for Hastings City Council). An inescutcheon Or charged with a manche Gules (for Warren Hastings). Supporters Dexter, a ram, tail couped, horned and hoofed Or, proper, supporting on a staff proper palewise flying to the dexter an ensign Sable, two bars Argent edged and charged with a hawk rising Or (for Hawke's Bay and Lord Hawke). Sinister, a bull, armed and hoofed Or, supporting a staff property palewise flying to the sinister, edged Or, a New Zealand Ensign; all supported by a profusion of apples, pears, peaches, grapes and miro berries with their leaves, surmounting a Māori style carved panel representing Rongomatane and Haumiatiketike, all proper. Motto Urbis Et Ruris Concordia (Town and Country in Harmony).

Notes

1. Delivering housing and employment
2. Consult, Create & Execute