HastingsOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

From Swamp to City: The Founding of Hastings

In the mid-19th century, the Heretaunga Plains, where Hastings now stands, were largely a mix of swamps and shingle deposits. Runholder Thomas Tanner saw its agricultural potential. In 1864, he and his partners illegally leased land from Māori owners, securing an official lease in 1867. By 1870, a group of twelve individuals, often called the "Twelve Apostles," had purchased the entire 19,365-acre block.

The development of Hastings began in 1871 when the New Zealand Government planned a new railway line south of Napier. Francis Hicks, one of the syndicate members, gifted 150 acres of his land for the railway tracks and a station at Karamu Junction. This ensured a township would form around the railway. On June 7, 1873, the Hawke's Bay Herald announced the new town's name: Hastings, likely chosen after Warren Hastings, the first Governor-General of British India. Hicks subdivided his remaining land, with the first sections sold on July 8, 1873, marking the beginning of Hastings' central business district.

The 1931 Earthquake and Reconstruction

Hastings was incorporated as a borough on October 20, 1886. The city grew, supported by its agricultural and horticultural industries. On February 3, 1931, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake, known as the Hawke's Bay earthquake, struck the region. Hastings was largely destroyed, with 93 lives lost in the city and many buildings, including the post office clock tower, collapsing. The city's reconstruction was rapid. A national competition was held in 1934 to design a new clock tower, won by local architect Sidney George Chaplin. Completed in 1935, the Hastings Clock Tower became a symbol of recovery. Plaques commemorating the earthquake victims were added in 1995. Hastings was officially constituted a city in 1956.

• —Hastings Clock Tower — This Art Deco Moderne tower, completed in 1935, stands as a symbol of Hastings' recovery after the 1931 earthquake. It has four clock faces and once flew a flag representing Hastings as New Zealand's fruit bowl.
• —Hastings Railway Station — The current building is a modernist structure from a 2004 rebuild. The site previously held the original V-shaped station, built in 1851, which accommodated two railway companies.
• —Heretaunga Street East — This street displays some of Hastings' former administrative buildings and is part of the central business district that was rebuilt in the Art Deco style after the 1931 earthquake. It shows the city's architectural recovery.
• —Cornwall Park — Acquired by the council in 1901 and opened in 1905, this public park was named for King George V. It contains sports areas, diverse tree plantings, and a traditional Chinese garden, the Osmanthus Garden, established in 1996 to commemorate Hastings' sister-city status with Guilin, China.
• —Hastings War Memorial Library — Opened in 1959, this library serves as a memorial to those from the Hastings district who died in World War II. Its Hall of Memories contains a large granite tablet and a mural by war artist Peter McIntyre, with bronze tablets listing the names of fallen soldiers from both world wars.
• —Toitoi - Hawke's Bay Arts & Events Centre (Opera House) — This historic venue, originally the Hawke's Bay Opera House, has been a cultural center for over a century, hosting performances and events.

The period from late December to early March is suitable for warm-weather activities, with a peak in the second week of February. During these summer months, average daily high temperatures are above 21°C (71°F), and days are long and sunny. January is the warmest month, with an average high of 24°C (75°F).

Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) offer milder temperatures and fewer crowds. Winter (June to August) is the coolest and wettest season, with average daily highs below 16°C (60°F). July is the coldest month, averaging 13°C (56°F) and experiencing the most rainfall. Avoid winter if seeking consistent warmth and sunshine.

Hastings is located on the North Island of New Zealand. The nearest major airport is Hawke's Bay Airport (NPE) in Napier, approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) away, offering domestic flights. The city is connected by road, with an expressway linking it to Napier.

The city center is walkable. Public buses operate, though routes and frequency vary. Street parking is available, with metered zones typically charging around $2 NZD per hour and a maximum stay of 120 minutes in busy areas. Payment is made with coins or mobile apps. Parking enforcement runs from 8 AM to 6 PM, Monday to Friday. Off-street car parks are available, with some offering all-day parking at around $1.60 NZD per hour. The Hawke's Bay Farmers' Market is held every Sunday morning at the Waikoko Gardens.