Featured
- 3 HB councils cross the Rubicon
Today (16 July), the CHB, Napier and Hastings Councils crossed the Rubicon, voting to proceed with amalgamation in the form of a single… Read more: 3 HB councils cross the Rubicon
Environment
- Four paths to HB water security
HB Regional Councillors had heaps to digest regarding the future of HB water security at their recent meeting. The status of four potential paths or levers to achieve water security was examined. CHB Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) This trial investigation will explore the viability of taking water from the Waipawa River during high flows and… Read more: Four paths to HB water security - Funding boosts communities working for nature
Twelve community groups running environmental restoration projects are the first recipients of grants from the 2026 Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay Environmental Enhancement Contestable Fund. Delivered in partnership by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay and the Eastern & Central Community Trust (ECCT), the fund supports community-led projects that protect, restore and enhance the region’s environment.… Read more: Funding boosts communities working for nature - Political Update:
[As published in July/August 2026 BayBuzz magazine] Beyond the business-as-usual matters of finalising budgets and rates and delivering basic services, the chief areas of focus are council reorganisation, consolidation of water services, and water security. In each of these areas, most of the current activity is out of public view. Amalgamation Yes, it’s time to… Read more: Political Update: - Home solar – a cross-party chip shot?
Who has the hottest home solar plan? The National Party (with its Home Energy Fund) and Labour (with Solar Saver) have gone to battle over home solar, each offering similar plans that would incentivise home solar installation through low-interest loans, secured by property, repayable via homeowners’ rates. Labour’s proposed policy added some flourishes – making… Read more: Home solar – a cross-party chip shot?
Culture
- Invitation to HB creatives
Hastings Arts Centre welcomes Expressions Of Interest across a range of creative and artistic forms for projects taking place in 2027. In addition to the visual arts exhibition programme, the Arts Centre is the perfect space to stage performing arts, music and workshops. You might be established or emerging, a painter, graphic designer, performer, digital… Read more: Invitation to HB creatives - The Buzz
[As published in July/August 2026 BayBuzz magazine] Collaborators. Winter exhibition highlights, Italian Film Festival Collaborators What’s more of a collaboration in our region than this: the hard-working, hearty people our local wine industry, a community-spirited bunch of voluntary committee members, a line-up of generous and committed sponsors, an audience of supportive, wine-loving bidders and buyers,… Read more: The Buzz - The Sound of Music hits all the right notes
I have seen The Sound of Music a dozen different ways. I’ve watched it on the telly as a kid at Christmas, as a teenager on VHS feeling soppy and sentimental, in my 20s laughing at it not with it (but secretly still loving every minute). I saw it in my early thirties as a… Read more: The Sound of Music hits all the right notes - The BUZZ:Collaborators, Winter exhibition highlights, Italian Film Festival [As published in July/August 2026 Baybuzz magazine] Collaborators What’s more of a collaboration in our region than this: the hard-working, hearty people our local wine industry, a community-spirited bunch of voluntary committee members, a line-up of generous and committed sponsors, an audience of supportive, wine-loving bidders and buyers,… Read more: The BUZZ: