From HB Arts Festival returning, to new Hastings alcohol rules, to veterinarians on cats, to new MTG earthquake exhibition, to HB Regional Prison redevelopment, to breast cancer fundraiser, to best toasties competition, here are some notable items you might have missed.

Arts Festival returns

The first show has been announced for the 2025 HB Arts Festival – Cirque Bon Bon, fresh from sold-out seasons across Australia.

Created by Cirque du Soleil’s Ash Jacks McCready and choreographer Julieann Nugent, this 70-minute spectacular is packed with world-record stunts, laugh-out-loud cabaret, dance, glitter and aerial artistry.

Three shows only taking place as part of the Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival, 17 & 18 October at Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre, Opera House. Get your tickets now!

The full Arts Festival programme will be announced shortly. Watch this space.

New Hastings alcohol policy

After public consultation that received 62 submissions, HDC has announced its new Local Alcohol Policy, which comes into force for six years starting 30 July 2025. 

Key elements:

• Reduced On-Licence hours: Pubs, taverns, bars, and nightclubs will have trading hours of 8am–2am (previously 8am–3am), with a mandatory one-way door policy from 1am.

• Reduced Off-Licence hours: The majority of submitters supported reduced hours. Opening no earlier than 9am and closing by 9pm was preferred across both bottle stores and supermarkets.
• Reduced Club Licence hours: 73 per cent supported reducing smaller sized club hours from 1am closing to midnight, with acknowledgment that most clubs do not operate late except for special occasions.
• Continued controls to prevent more bottle stores being established in Flaxmere and Camberley to protect these vulnerable communities.

An impact assessment would be completed by council officers after six months and again after 12 months with the findings reported back to council of any potential effects on both alcohol-related harm and commercial activity, arising from the changes.

Veterinarians on cats

Although not specific to HB, we do have a heap of cats, both domestic and feral, and we care about protecting our native fauna, so the recent policy announcment of the NZ Veterinary Association should be of interest.

“For domestic cats, our focus is on responsible cat ownership.  We support the recommendation that microchipping and de-sexing should be mandatory, and cat breeding should be regulated.

“For strays, we support reducing the population of unowned cats, through desexing by care providers or through managed, targeted trap-neuter-return programmes where appropriate.  

“NZVA also recognises that feral cats, while sentient, pose a serious threat to native wildlife and are implicated in the spread of diseases such as toxoplasmosis. 

On balance, NZVA supports feral cats being managed as pests and their populations humanely reduced or eradicated as part of Predator Free 2050, provided this is done in accordance with best-practice animal welfare standards.”

MTG: New earthquake exhibition

Shockwave: Hawke’s Bay’s Great Quake, 1931 opens at MTG Hawke’s Bay Tai Ahuriri on Saturday 28 June 2025.

MTG’s 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake exhibition, Shockwave, dedicated to the region’s most devastating natural disaster, has been redeveloped, expanding the current narrative of individual and social impact stories with a focus on the wider Hawke’s Bay story.

Experience the power of an earthquake – without the risk – in a brand-new shake house at MTG Hawke’s Bay Tai Ahuriri. Locals and visitors are invited to step inside to see what a big quake feels like, as well as learn about earthquakes and how to prepare for them.

The exhibition will introduce additional themes of geological science and Mātauranga Māori Knowledge.

Designed for all ages and backgrounds from curious kids to lifelong learners.

Open daily 9:30am – 5pm

HB Prison to be overhauled

The new draft NZ National Infrastructure Plan has been announced. Out of 48 projects submitted to the Infrastructure Commission in the first round, only 17 have been identified as priority projects.

One of those is redevelopment of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison, a project proposed by NZ Corrections.

Corrections commented to BayBuzz: “The Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison redevelopment is a potential project being planned to meet the forecast rising demand for high security beds at the prison. This project would deliver additional high security accommodation and necessary upgrades and replacements to essential site infrastructure such as the gatehouse and visitor facilities. 

“The detailed scope of the project is being developed and the project remains subject to approvals and funding decisions. Therefore, we are unable to provide further information at this stage.”

Breast Cancer survivors fundraiser

The Kaha Sisters, formerly known as the Bay Bosom Buddies, a team of 12 breast cancer survivors from Hawke’s Bay, united through the healing power of dragon boating. They’re preparing to represent Aotearoa on the world stage at the International Breast Cancer Dragon Boat Festival in France, 2026. Bringing together over 4,500 paddlers from 320 teams across 37 countries.

To help fund their journey, the team is hosting a powerful fundraising event — The Style Soirée. This elegant runway event blends circular fashion, courageous storytelling, and community spirit. Alongside the fashion show, guests will enjoy:

• French-inspired canapés, bubbles, and petit fours
• A powerful keynote from quadruple amputee and speaker Korrin Barrett
• A live auction featuring high-end fashion, art, accommodation, and experiences
• Real stories of strength and survival from the Kaha Sisters 
• Light-hearted hosting by “Jean-Paul Gaultier” and “Madame Vivienne Westwood”

Saturday 12 July 2025. The Old Church, Meeanee. 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM

Tickets from $125 – available at https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2025/jul/the-style-soiree

For toasties addicts

More than 200 eateries from all over Aotearoa New Zealand will compete in the eighth Great New Zealand Toastie Takeover from 25 June to 5 August.

To be eligible, cafés, restaurants, bars, food trucks and pop-ups come up with a toastie that must feature two slices of bread, cheese (or a vegan substitute), McClure’s Pickles and must be able to be eaten by hand.

Here are Hawke’s Bay’s competitors … try out their fantastic toasties:

• Best Burgers, Havelock North: 
• Long Island Delicatessen:
• Madame Social
• Market ST
• Salt Cafe
• Sammies
• The Doghaus