From HB house prices, to creative community events, to international design award, to HBRC leadership reorganisation, here are some notable announcements you might have missed.

HB property market mixed

According to property valuers QV, while some parts of the country remain soft, regional markets such as Hawke’s Bay continue to show resilience, supported by local economic strength, lower entry prices, and steady buyer demand.

Napier’s housing market has continued its gradual recovery, with home values reaching a new average of $753,948. Values are now 0.53% higher than a year ago, though still 15.5% below their January 2022 peak average value of $892,703.

Hastings District saw a small decline to an average of $774,484. That’s 1.02% lower year-on-year and 15.8% below the previous market high when the average value was $920,018.

Central Hawke’s Bay led regional growth with values climbing 3.13% over the quarter to $564,901, despite being 1.43% lower than a year ago and 15.6% below the peak of January 2022 when the average value was $669,585. 

Wairoa District experienced the steepest fall — down 13.4% for the quarter and 5.9% annually to an average value of $384,838, which remains 11.1% below the nationwide peak average value of $433,044.

QV Hawke’s Bay Registered Valuer Nicola Waldon said first-home buyers remain a driving force in the market. “First-home buyers remain active in Napier and Hastings, particularly in the $450,000–$700,000 price range. Easing interest rates have given buyers more power. Listings have increased slightly with the arrival of spring.”

Creativity in action

Heaps going on in the HB arts community. From Napier Youth Hub getting ready to open, to finance workshops for creative professionals, to final weekend of the HB Arts Trail – from 15-16 November.

Details here from Ngā Toi Creative Hawke’s Bay.

International Design Award

Having already been awarded nationally, superb craftsmanship has earned Douglas Innovation an international Award of Excellence from the Advanced Textiles Association (ATA), USA. 

The ATA represents thousands of companies across the global specialty-textiles and technical-fabrics industries. Its International Achievement Awards celebrate design and fabrication excellence in over 40 countries, across categories from architecture to upholstery.

The winning project? Custom booth seating at Mix’d Cocktail Bar in Ahuriri – designed and built by Simkin Construction and upholstered by Douglas Outdoor & Textile Innovation. Mix’d’s signature curved booth seating was designed by siblings Olivia & Gus Simkin to create a unique, intimate and inviting space while standing up to the rigours of a busy cocktail bar.

“The booth seating is a real feature and a photography sweet-spot for visitors,” says Olivia. “It defines the space – it’s comfortable, durable, and it gives the intimate dining area its character.”

Adam Greville, Co-owner of Douglas, says: “This award really celebrates the level of skill we have cultivated here in Hawke’s Bay. We’re grateful to Mix’d and Simkin Construction for bringing us into the project – their vision for the space pushed us to bring international-grade methods and detailing to a local venue. It’s proof that world-class craftsmanship can come out of Hastings and Napier.”

Douglas has been steadily lifting the bar on their commercial interiors, combining bespoke upholstery with its outdoor louvre and retractable-roof expertise for wineries, bars and community spaces across the Bay.

Regional Council reorganises leadership

For HBRC aficionados, here’s the new leadership for key committees.

The Environment Committee will be chaired by Councillor Di Roadley, with Councillor Tony Kuklinski as deputy.

A new Finance, Audit, Risk & Emergency Committee will have an independent chair, an innovative move, with Councillor Conrad Waitoa as deputy.

Councillor Neil Kirton will chair the Regional Transport Committee, with Councillor Louise Parsons as deputy.

Councillor Hinewai Ormsby will co-chair the Regional Planning Committee, alongside PSGE leader Tania Hopmans as co-chair.

And Councillor Jock Macintosh will chair the Investment Strategy Committee.

Cracking the whip on this team are Sophie Siers as HBRC Chair and Jerf van Beek as Deputy Chair.