With news from Cape Sanctuary, HB Knowledge Bank and Ahuriri Estuary Protection Society, to Better Bus Routes, to citizen snapping & surveying for coastal protection, to HB Women in Construction, to Hastings sporting National Apprentice of the Year, to Napier stormwater improvements, here are some notable items you might have missed.

Newsletters of note

Cape Sanctuary – a hugely informative and well-illustrated update on restoration activities, including a record 72,400 native trees planted in 2025 in the Ocean Beach Restoration Zone.

HB Knowledge Bank – in December edition: Cyclone project completed, volunteers recognized, IT upgrade.

Ahuriri Estuary Protection Society – in Summer edition: new predator control project, monthly clean-ups, Summer Picnic, Orca visit.

Better Bus Routes coming in January

The new network will now connect two new key destinations, Hawke’s Bay Airport and Hawke’s Bay Regional Sports Park. There will also be more buses to key locations like Hawke’s Bay Hospital, and over 100 additional bus stops across Napier and Hastings.

“Ahead of the launch of Better Bus Routes on 25 January 2026 we encourage bus users to head to gobay.co.nz to get to know your route,” says HBRC’s Katrina Brunton.

The website has information about the change, an interactive map of the new network, and FAQs, with more information including the timetable and helpful how-to videos and more coming closer to launch.

Citizen snapping & survey on HB coastal protection

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is encouraging people to take part in shaping how we respond to coastal change – from citizen science to community surveys.

Ten smartphone camera cradles have been installed between Whirinaki and Clifton for anyone to use as part of CoastSnap, a citizen science project tracking coastal changes.

The cradles are located at Whirinaki, Bay View, Westshore, Ahuriri, Haumoana, Te Awanga, and Clifton. A sign at each site explains what to do – simply download the CoastSnap app from the App Store or Google Play, and take a photo.

Regional Council Coastal Engineer Dr João Albuquerque explains: “Every photo taken will be added to a community database used by scientists and planners to map shoreline changes. That information will help us improve our understanding of how our treasured coastal environments are changing, so please get snapping.”

More info on CoastSnap here: https://www.coastsnap.com

The Council is also encouraging people to complete a survey as part of the Clifton to Tangoio Coastal Hazards Strategy 2120 – a joint strategy developed with representatives from Mana Ahuriri Trust, Napier City Council, Maungaharuru-Tangitu Trust, Hastings District Council, and Tamatea Pōkai Whenua.

Complete the survey online at www.hbcoast.co.nz, or pick up paper copies at libraries across Napier and Hastings.

HB Women in Construction

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) has launched its newest branch in Te Matau-a-Māui/Hawke’s Bay. The new branch marks an exciting milestone for the region and reflects the growing momentum to strengthen support, connection, and visibility for women working across Te Matau-a-Māui/Hawke’s Bay’s construction sector.

The branch will be led by Kirsten Bell, an experienced construction professional with 20 years in the industry. Beginning her career as a Bid Writer with tier one contractors in Auckland, Kirsten moved to Te Matau-a-Māui/Hawke’s Bay 12 years ago and now serves as a Bid Manager for Fulton Hogan, working across road maintenance and 3 Waters contracts nationwide.

“Te Matau-a-Māui / Hawke’s Bay is ready for this,” Kirsten says. “We want to build a true sense of belonging, visibility, and empowerment for women in construction – right here in our own region.”

The HB branch plans to deliver 4–6 impactful events in its first year, including:

• Industry leader panels
• Professional development and wellbeing workshops
• Networking and social events
• Site visits and behind-the-scenes project tours
• Resilience, work–life balance, and safety sessions
• Community-focused initiatives supporting women and children in need

Contact Chapter Secretary Fiona Clark for more info.

Hastings Apprentice of the Year

Hastings-based apprentice engineer Josiah Barlow has been named Apprentice Training NZ’s 2025 Apprentice of the Year on the national stage. 

Currently completing the New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Trade) -Machining Level 4 at We Can Precision Engineering, Josiah earned this top honour due to his outstanding technical ability, excellent machining skills, and demonstrating professionalism well beyond expectations for his training level. 

Josiah also received the esteemed 2025 Bill Buckley Engineering Scholarship from the Maintenance Engineering Society of New Zealand. This scholarship honours apprentices who demonstrate outstanding potential and make significant contributions to the engineering trade.

We Can Precision Engineering has significantly contributed to Josiah’s development by offering practical experience in advanced machining and precision engineering projects within Hawke’s Bay.

Napier stormwater improvements

Napier City Council is beginning another essential infrastructure project to help make sure the city is protected from the effects of flooding.

The six-month, $5 million project will see two 50-year-old stormwater culverts on State Highway 51 and Herrick Street replaced this summer. Detours will be in place to keep motorists and crews safe while the works are happening. Work begins in early January.

Mayor Richard McGrath is asking the community to be patient during the six-month improvements programme, which aims to protect homes and businesses for the next 50 years.

“We’ve just had the fifth anniversary of the flooding that hit us in November 2020, and in that time we’ve put huge amounts of work into making sure we are stronger and better protected from weather events like that one.”

Work is scheduled for summer to reduce weather-related delays and take advantage of lower water levels in the watercourse.