From the HB Meatball Festival, to Expressway alerts, to new Michael Fowler book celebrating Marine Parade, to exciting expansion news from St Andrew’s Limes, to Grey Power and Knowledge Bank news, here are notable items you might have missed.
Meatball Festival
On Friday March 14th, the CBD of New Zealand’s liveliest small city is set to swell with up to 25 vendors, all offering their version of the beloved Hawke’s Bay meatball. From Italian pork, to prawn and lemongrass, to the ubiquitous crumbed classic Hastings is famous for, local and visiting chefs are busy testing, tasting and refining their recipes, vying for the people’s choice award and induction into the “Ball of Fame”.
The Hastings Meatball Festival, beginning at 5pm in the Hastings CBD, is the brainchild of Hastings District Council and opens the 2025 Hawke’s Bay’s Food and Wine Classic (F.A.W.C!).
Meatball makers include: Cellar 495, Long Island Deli, Craft & Social, Matangi, Decibel, Sazio, John’s Bakery, Paella A Go Go, Fun Buns, Black Betty BBQ, Bareknuckle BBQ, BJ’s Bakery, St Georges Restaurant, Common Room, OTT In The City, Bambina, Mahora Bakery, Shaneo’s Bakery, Peter Gordon x EIT, Collab Café, Gina’s Food Truck, Hastings Distillers, Rosie O’Grady’s.
See https://www.fawc.co.nz/events/attend/871741 to register your FREE attendance.
New Michael Fowler book celebrates Marine Parade
Hawke’s Bay historian Michael Fowler’s 17th book is called” Promenading: Napier’s Iconic Marine Parade” and spans 170 years of its history.
“I wanted to commemorate Napier’s 150th anniversary of becoming a borough in 1874, and with so much material – much of it unique to me, I thought it would be a great opportunity to catalogue the history of Marine Parade,” says Fowler.
“I called the book title “Promenading”, because that was the Victorian era’s idea of fun – walking and taking in the healthy sea air. This is what many still do today, but also by cycling, skateboarding, or running”
“Napier’s Marine Parade is one of the most beloved locations in Hawke’s Bay, and has been since Napier mayor, George Swan, in the 1880s, began an ambitious plan to turn a dirt track called Beach Road into a seaside promenade to match the those he has seen in England.”
The hardcover book is printed in colour throughout, and there are 500 individually numbered copies available for sale. The book is only available for purchase at MTG Hawke’s Bay, 1 Tennyson Street, Napier at $105. For Hastings and Havelock North people not able to travel, it can be purchased through the author.
Another reason for the writing the book is to raise funds for the new MTG Hawke’s Bay storage and archival building. Fowler will donate all profits from the book will be given to the MTG Foundation for this purpose.
From limes to craft soda
St Andrews Limes – HB’s premium producer of citrus-based food and beverages for eighteen years – has officially acquired Six Barrel Soda, the iconic Wellington-based craft soda company. The acquisition is set to strengthen both brands and enhance production capabilities, while maintaining Six Barrel Soda’s status as an independent and sustainable soda maker.
Six Barrel Soda founders have created a legacy business, by using their craftsmanship and creativity, to build an outstanding syrup company,” says Matthew Day, who co-owns St Andrews Limes with his wife, Tracy. “We are delighted to continue building an enduring brand and company that stands above the rest. A commitment to excellence, integrity, and social responsibility are values that align perfectly with what we do at St Andrews Limes.”
Matt and Tracy can’t wait to open the new site that will bring both businesses together under one roof, and be open to the public, as Hawke’s Bay’s only specialty soda factory and cellar door.
The same Six Barrel Soda products will continue to be available through all usual stockists and online.
Learn more about Six Barrel Soda here.
Learn more about St Andrews Limes here.
Latest from Grey Power Napier
Napier Grey Power’s latest newsletter is now available, covering health issues, Council facilities review, online tips, retirement income options and heaps more.
You can download the newsletter here.
HB Knowledge Bank
And ditto for latest news from the Hawke’s Bay Knowledge Bank.
You can read their March newsletter here.
