You might have noticed one of the eight new ‘gateway’ signs that greet your arrival into the Hastings district.
They began getting erected in April and, the Hastings District Council (HDC) says, cost $73,639.
The council says the new signs, which they refer to as the H, tell a critical story about both the district and region.
“Gateway signs are placed on boundaries of regions, cities and towns all around New Zealand and their primary purpose is to make people aware they are entering a destination, in our case Heretaunga Hastings, and welcome them accordingly,’’ an HDC spokesperson told BayBuzz.
“In addition to this, post-cyclone, our regional message has been ‘Hawke’s Bay is open for business’. To support and reinforce this message, it was considered important to replace the broken signs as soon as possible to ensure people entering the district were greeted with the right perception, as well as building civic pride for our residents.’’
The new signs replace the Heart of Hawke’s Bay logo that dated back in 2020. That’s when the HDC’s Heretaunga Ararau Strategy was formalised, which included a subtle name change for the district.
“The new ‘Heretaunga Hastings’ identity promotes Hastings District tourism and economic development activity as well as Hastings District Council’s business activities,’’ said the HDC.
“It is used across all facets of council’s day-to-day business, creating better clarity for residents and ratepayers on what services, facilities and initiatives are being provided by council.’’
The new gateway signs are stationed at Mill Road, Clive, Pakowhai Road, the Hawke’s Bay Expressway, Omahu Road, Railway Road, Maraekakaho Road and Flaxmere Avenue.
They were scheduled to be rolled out as and when the previous signs became aged or worn. That process was interrupted by Cyclone Gabrielle.
“Printing of the gateway signs was budgeted at $41,446 and additional reinforcement of the steel supports as per engineering requirements and installation cost $33,923, bringing the total cost to $75,639 which was covered off by existing operational budgets for 2023/24,’’ the HDC spokesperson said.
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Loved the old signs. The new signs do not represent Heretaunga Hastings any where near the way the colourful signs did. Waste of money.
Great Signs! Instantly recognisable from a distance, concise and to the point; H for Herataunga, H for Hastings, H for Herataunga Hastings?! Covers all the bases. More appropriate than that vague Patchwork Blanket?!
Total waste of money to stroke someone’s ego
Why not put this money towards helping people with the cost of living