From Mission concerts returning, to HB’s best chardonnays, to People Helping People book, to Unison dividend reminder, to Knowledge Bank open house, to Punjabi language celebration, to Tomoana Showgrounds consultation, to international Waiaroha win, to Unison summer safety tips, here are some announcements of note you might have missed.

Mission plans for next concert

Mission Estate, together with long-term concert partner Sports & Entertainment Limited (SEL), continue to work on securing the next headline artist for the iconic Mission Concert.

Mission Estate Board Chair Phil Hocquard said that while touring activity is now reviving, the recent pause has created a valuable opportunity to improve the venue.

“The Mission Concert has been a highlight of New Zealand’s summer for decades, and this break has given us time to reflect, review and reinvest in the site,” he said. “We’re focused on improving accessibility, safety, and the overall experience for the thousands of loyal concert-goers.”

The current redevelopment work will take 4 – 6 weeks and involves removing buildings now surplus to requirements to create more space, better crowd flow and improved access to and from the venue on event days. During this period, Mission Estate Restaurant and Cellar Door remain open seven days a week, welcoming locals and visitors to enjoy the estate and see progress first-hand.

SEL Director of Events Garry Craft said: “These upgrades will make it easier and safer for patrons to move around the venue, ensuring we’re ready to attract major international talent to Napier.”

HB’s best chardonnays

Announced by HB Winegrowers and selected from 56 wines by a judging panel of Cameron Douglas MS, Emma Jenkins MW, and Thalia Osborne, the 2025 North Island Young Winemaker of the Year.

Here they are:

Alchemy Chardonnay 2024
Alpha Domus The Batten Chardonnay 2024
Askerne Reserve Chardonnay 2024
Clearview Estate Beachhead Chardonnay 2024
Clearview Estate Three Rows Chardonnay 2024
Craggy Range Kidnappers Chardonnay 2024
Craggy Range Les Beaux Cailloux Chardonnay 2024
Easthope Home Block Chardonnay 2024
Helio Chardonnay 2024
Smith & Sheth CRU Heretaunga Chardonnay 2024
Swift Chardonnay 2024
Villa Maria Keltern Chardonnay 2024

Cyclone Gabrielle commemorative book

As the region approaches 1000 days since Cyclone Gabrielle devastated communities across Hawke’s Bay, The Evergreen Foundation has announced the launch of its commemorative book, People Helping People. This publication honours the extraordinary efforts of volunteers, donors, and local supporters who have worked tirelessly to restore lives and livelihoods.

The 119 page, hardcover book, written by Jessica O’Sullivan with images from the field by Hawke’s Bay based photographer Richard Brimer and others captures powerful stories of resilience, generosity, and community spirit, showcasing the impact of grassroots initiatives supported by Evergreen, volunteers and its partners. 

No Cyclone Gabrielle donations have been used for the creation of this book.

Copies of People Helping People will be available for purchase at Wardini Books in Havelock North and Napier for $25 (instore and online) from 10 November. All proceeds will go directly to The Evergreen Foundation.

Established in 2014, Evergreen Foundation supports the Hawke’s Bay region through community-led initiatives. In response to Cyclone Gabrielle, the foundation mobilised swiftly, raising $3.4M for its Cyclone Relief Fund — 98% of which has been distributed to support recovery efforts.

Unison dividend reminder

The Hawke’s Bay Power Consumers’ Trust (HBPCT) is urging all power consumers in Hawke’s Bay to ensure they are registered, or have checked their registered details, for the upcoming annual Trust power dividend payment of $270.

HBPCT Chair, Kirsten Westwood says “We are now halfway through registration, power consumers need to register before 5pm, Tuesday 18 November 2025 to receive the dividend payment into their bank accounts from 25 November. Any registrations received after 18 November will be paid on later dates.”

All information is available on the Trust website at www.hbpct.co.nz. For those who can’t get online, information and support to register is available on free phone 0800 535 738.

Knowledge Bank Newsletter

Here’s the latest newsletter. The big news … an Open house coming up.

HB celebrates Punjabi Language week

The Punjabi community gathered at Toitoi Event Centre to celebrate the 6th Punjabi Language Week, an event dedicated to preserving and promoting one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing languages. Over 400 people attended the celebration.

Organiser Sukhdeep Singh expressed heartfelt gratitude: “I would like to thank everyone who attended the event today, including our guests, performers, audience, Punjabi school teachers, and the entire Punjabi community for coming together to celebrate this Punjabi Language Week.  thanks to Hastings Sikh Society NZ, Shri Ravidass Temple Hastings, and Hastings Punjabi School for their incredible support in making this event possible. Everyone’s support and enthusiasm made this event truly special.”

New Zealand boasts over 49,000 Punjabi Speakers

HDC consults on Tomoana Showgrounds master plan

Hastings residents are being asked to help shape a new 10-year master plan for the Tōmoana Showgrounds; one of the district’s most treasured community spaces.

The plan is being prepared on behalf of Hastings District Council and the Tōmoana Showgrounds Charitable Trust, which was established to manage the showgrounds following Council’s purchase of the land. The plan will guide how the 40-hectare site is used, balancing heritage, culture, events, recreation, and sustainability.

The site was purchased by Hastings District Council in 2023 after the Hawke’s Bay A&P Society advised it needed to sell the asset. The decision to buy the land received strong public support, with more than 90% of submitters backing the move to secure the land for the community. Council’s purchase ensured the showgrounds would remain a public asset and continue hosting the events and activities that have shaped its identity.

Residents can provide their feedback online at the bottom of this webpage https://www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/tomoana-showgrounds/ or fill in a written submission at this weekend’s A&P Show, at one of the Hastings libraries, or at Council’s customer service centre in Lyndon Rd, by midnight on November 16.

International win for Waiaroha 

Waiaroha has won international gold – taking out the City Nation Place Global Award for Best Placemaking Initiative, announced this week in London.

The City Nation Place Awards are internationally recognised as the leading benchmark for excellence in place-branding and placemaking. This year’s competition drew entries from 28 countries and major cities like Toronto and Stockholm, judged by an international panel of experts in place strategy, tourism, economic development and urban design.

The principal role of Waiaroha is to supply safe drinking water to Heretaunga Hastings’ urban population.  What elevates the facility beyond ‘normal’ water infrastructure is its placement in the city centre – putting what is normally discreetly hidden away front and centre to raise the profile of water and its importance. Its educational elements and landscaping storytelling help people understand the water life cycle and how to preserve water further, taking Waiaroha beyond the purely functional. 

HDC chief executive Nigel Bickle said the award demonstrated that the district’s placemaking approach stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in the world. “This is one of the most rigorous international awards of its kind,” he said. “It’s judged not on appearance, but on strategy, collaboration, and real-world impact – and that makes it a powerful endorsement of what our community has achieved.”

Unison summer safety campaign says, Be safe!

With longer days and warmer weather, people are getting ready for a season of DIY, gardening, construction, and other outdoor work. Unison is asking everyone, from homeowners to contractors and seasonal workers, to be vigilant and proactive when working near electricity, both above ground and below.

Unison’s top safety actions for summer:

• Always look up, down and around before you lift a ladder, plant a tree, or start a project. Look for power lines, poles, boxes and underground cables. If you’re working close to Unison equipment, get the right permit first. 
• Check your property. Overgrown vegetation near power lines can cause power outages, safety issues, and in some cases, fire. Keep vegetation trimmed and consult Unison’s guidelines or a local arborist if needed. 
• Dig with care. Striking underground power cables can result in severe injury or damage. Use Unison’s Cable Location service to map out what’s beneath your property. 
• Spot and report. If you see damaged power lines, poles, or boxes, stay clear and let Unison know immediately.

For more information, safety tips, or to request a permit or cable location, visit www.unison.co.nz or call 0800 2 UNISON (0800 2 86476).

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