Hawke's Bay

Hawke's Bay (Māori: Te Matau-a-Māui[4]) is a region of the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. The region's name in English derives from Hawke Bay, which was named by Captain James Cook in honour of Admiral Edward Hawke.

This article is about the area in New Zealand. For other places, see Hawke's Bay (disambiguation).

Hawke's Bay
Hawke's Bay Region in New Zealand
Hawke's Bay Region in New Zealand
Coordinates: 39°25′S 176°49′E
CountryNew Zealand
SeatNapier
Government
 • TypeRegional council
 • BodyHawke's Bay Regional Council
 • ChairHinewai Ormsby
 • Deputy chairWill Foley
Area
[1]
 • Land14,139.15 km2 (5,459.16 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2023)[2]
 • Total184,800
HDI (2021)0.913[3]
very high · 12th
Websitewww.hbrc.govt.nz

The region's largest city is Napier. It is governed by Hawke's Bay Regional Council, and is subdivided into four territorial authorities for local government purposes. Residents have twice rejected proposals to merge the authorities into a unitary authority.

Geography
Part of the Hawke's Bay landscape

The region is situated on the east coast of the North Island. It bears the former name of what is now Hawke Bay, a large semi-circular bay that extends for 100 kilometres from northeast to southwest from Māhia Peninsula to Cape Kidnappers.

The Hawke's Bay Region includes the hilly coastal land around the northern and central bay, the floodplains of the Wairoa River in the north, the wide fertile Heretaunga Plains around Hastings in the south, and a hilly interior stretching up into the Kaweka and Ruahine Ranges. The prominent peak Taraponui is located inland.

Five major rivers flow to the Hawke's Bay coast. From north to south, they are the Wairoa River, Mohaka River, Tutaekuri River, Ngaruroro River and Tukituki River. Lake Waikaremoana, situated in northern Hawke's Bay, roughly 35 km from the coast, is the largest lake in Hawke's Bay, the fourth largest in the North Island and the 16th largest in New Zealand.

The regional council area consists of the territorial authorities of Wairoa District, Hastings District, Napier City, and its southernmost district, Central Hawke's Bay District, plus the localities of Taharua in the Taupo District and Ngamatea in the Rangitikei District. It does not include the Tararua District, Dannevirke, Woodville or Norsewood, which have been under the Manawatū-Whanganui Regional Council (also known as Horizons Regional Council) since the 1989 local government reforms.[5][6] In June 2015, the Local Government Commission proposed the amalgamation of the four territorial authorities in the region with the Hawke's Bay Regional Council,[7] but this was rejected in a poll of residents.[8]

The region has a hill with the longest place name in New Zealand, and the longest in the world according to the 2009 Guinness Book of Records. Taumata­whakatangihanga­koauau­o­tamatea­turi­pukakapiki­maunga­horo­nuku­pokai­whenua­kitanatahu is an otherwise unremarkable hill in southern Hawke's Bay, not far from Waipukurau.

Demography

Hawke's Bay Region covers 14,139.15 km2 (5,459.16 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 184,800 as of June 2023,[2] 3.5 percent of New Zealand's population, with a population density of 13 people per km2. Around 74 percent of the region's population lives in the Napier-Hastings conurbation.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1991138,342—    
1996142,791+0.64%
2001142,950+0.02%
2006147,783+0.67%
2013151,179+0.33%
2018166,368+1.93%
Source: [9][10]
A map showing population density in the Hawke's Bay Region at the 2006 census

Hawke's Bay Region had a population of 166,368 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 15,189 people (10.0%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 18,585 people (12.6%) since the 2006 census. There were 60,237 households. There were 81,054 males and 85,314 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.95 males per female. The median age was 40.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 34,935 people (21.0%) aged under 15 years, 29,202 (17.6%) aged 15 to 29, 71,841 (43.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 30,390 (18.3%) aged 65 or older.

Of those at least 15 years old, 21,417 (16.3%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 27,633 (21.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $28,300, compared with $31,800 nationally. 16,485 people (12.5%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 63,999 (48.7%) people were employed full-time, 19,605 (14.9%) were part-time, and 4,710 (3.6%) were unemployed.[9]

Below is a list of urban areas that contain more than 1,000 population.

Urban area Population
(June 2023)[2]		  % of region
Napier 67,500 36.5%
Hastings 51,500 27.9%
Havelock North 15,200 8.2%
Wairoa 5,020 2.7%
Waipukurau 4,750 2.6%
Clive 2,090 1.1%
Waipawa 2,400 1.3%

Other towns and settlements in Hawke's Bay include:

Culture and identity
Largest groups of overseas-born residents[11]
Nationality Population (2018)
England 6,840
Australia 2,625
India 2,076
Samoa 1,665
South Africa 1,473
Philippines 942
Scotland 876
China 765
Netherlands 738
United States 657

Ethnicities in the 2018 census were 75.0% European/Pākehā, 27.0% Māori, 5.6% Pacific peoples, 5.0% Asian, and 1.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 15.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 48.5% had no religion, 37.4% were Christian, 0.7% were Hindu, 0.4% were Muslim, 0.6% were Buddhist and 5.5% had other religions.[9]

The major local Māori tribe is Ngāti Kahungunu.

History
Maraetotara Falls

Bay whaling stations operated on the shores of the bay in the nineteenth century.[12]

Hawke's Bay Province was founded in 1858 as a province of New Zealand, after being separated from the Wellington Province following a meeting in Napier in February 1858. The Province was abolished in 1876 along with all other provinces in New Zealand. It was replaced with a Provincial District.

On February 3, 1931, Napier and Hastings were devastated by New Zealand's worst natural disaster, an earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter magnitude scale, which killed 256 people. Napier rebuilt and now the city is world-famous for its Art Deco buildings, and celebrates its heritage each February with the Art Deco Weekend. MTG Hawke's Bay, formerly Hawke's Bay Museum and Art Gallery, has an exhibition on the earthquake, its causes and impact.

On the 13th and 14th of February, 2023, Cyclone Gabrielle caused extensive damage in Hawke's Bay as it passed over the North Island. Power, phone service and internet access was cut to over 16,000 properties when the main Redcliffe substation was damaged in floodwaters after the Tutaekuri River burst its banks. Downstream, 1,000 people were evacuated from low lying plains surrounding the river, where significant parts of Taradale, Meeanee and Awatoto were submerged. The floodwaters destroyed 4 bridges, including Redcliffe Bridge, a major crossing just south of Taradale. SH2 and SH51 bridges were heavily damaged, but did not collapse. A span of the Palmerston North-Gisborne Line crossing the Tutaekuri River also collapsed. The Ngaruroro River also breached its banks, flooding the town of Omahu where 20 people required evacuation via helicopter. In Wairoa, the Wairoa River breached its banks, flooding approximately 15 percent of the town. Access to Wairoa was cut off after extensive damage on SH2's Mohaka River Bridge in the south, and landslides also closing SH2 to the north. Water supply in Central Hawke's Bay failed, and a mandatory evacuation was ordered for eastern Waipawa after the Waipara river rose to record levels. The total cost and damages are unknown at this time. [13][14]

Economy

The subnational gross domestic product (GDP) of Hawke's Bay was estimated at NZ$8.67 billion in the year to March 2019, 2.9% of New Zealand's national GDP. The regional GDP per capita was estimated at $50,251 in the same period. In the year to March 2018, primary industries contributed $1.14 billion (13.9%) to the regional GDP, goods-producing industries contributed $1.84 billion (22.3%), service industries contributed $4.56 billion (55.3%), and taxes and duties contributed $707 million (8.6%).[15]

Agriculture

The region is renowned for its horticulture, with large orchards and vineyards on the plains. In the hilly parts of the region sheep and cattle farming predominates, with forestry blocks in the roughest areas.

Hawke's Bay has 17,886 ha (44,200 acres) of horticultural land, the third largest area in New Zealand behind Canterbury and Marlborough. The largest crops by land area are apples (4,750 ha), wine grapes (3,620 ha), squash (3,390 ha), and peas and beans (1,360 ha).[16]

Wine
Main article: Hawke's Bay wine region
A Hawke's Bay vineyard in autumn

The climate is dry and temperate, and the long, hot summers and cool winters offer excellent weather for growing grapes. Missionaries in the mid 19th century planted the first vines in Hawke's Bay and it is now an important place for full bodied red wines.[17] The wine region is the second largest after the Marlborough wine region, with 4,681 hectares (11,570 acres) of vineyards and 91 operating wineries in 2018.[18]

Aerospace

Hawke's Bay is home to Rocket Lab's Launch Complex 1, New Zealand's first orbital launch site, on Māhia Peninsula. Wairoa District is home to Space Coast New Zealand, a stretch of coastline from which space launches can be viewed.[19] Rocket Lab launches its Electron rockets several times a year, after its first successful launch of Humanity Star in January 2018.

Seismicity

Hawke's Bay is one of the most seismically active regions in New Zealand and has experienced many large and often damaging earthquakes. More than 50 damaging earthquakes have been recorded in the region since the 1800s.

See also: List of earthquakes in New Zealand
DateLocationMagnitude (ML)DepthFatalitiesMore information
8 Jul 184325 km west of Tikokino7.612 km2[20]
22 Feb 1863Waipukurau7.525 km1863 Hawke's Bay earthquake[21]
14 Sep 1875Māhia Peninsula5.825 km[22]
9 Aug 1904Porangahau7.016 km[23]
28 Jun 1921Kaweka Forest Park6.780 km[24]
12 Feb 1930Porangahau6.233 km[25]
3 Feb 193120 km north of Napier7.820 km2561931 Hawke's Bay earthquake[26]
3 Feb 193125 km north east of Napier5.825 km[27]
8 Feb 1931Wairoa6.460 km[28]
13 Feb 193150 km east of Napier7.330 km[29]
5 May 193250 km east of Napier5.912 km[30]
16 Sep 1932Wairoa6.912 km[31]
5 Mar 1934Pongaroa7.212 km[32]
15 Mar 1934Wairoa6.325 km[33]
26 Feb 1940Hastings6.025 km[34]
1 Mar 1950Lake Waikaremoana5.860 km[35]
10 Feb 1951Porangahau6.233 km[36]
6 Oct 1980Hastings5.730 km[37]
19 Feb 1990Porangahau6.234 km[38]
13 May 1990Porangahau6.430 km[39]

Regional council

The region is governed by Hawke's Bay Regional Council, which has its main office and council chamber in Napier. The council consists of eleven elected members and holds elections every three years. As of 26 October 2022 the councillors are:[40]

Councillor Constituency
Hinewai Ormsby (chair) Ahuriri/Napier general
Will Foley (deputy chair) Tamatea-Central Hawke’s Bay general
Xan Harding Heretaunga-Hastings general
Neil Kirton Ahuriri/Napier general
Charles Lambert Māui ki te Raki Māori
Jock Mackintosh Heretaunga-Hastings general
Di Roadley Wairoa general
Sophie Siers Heretaunga-Hastings general
Hokianga Thompson Māui ki te Tonga Māori
Jerf van Beek Ngaruroro general
Martin Williams Ahuriri/Napier general

Proposal for a unitary authority

Between 2013 and 2015 the Local Government Commission considered amalgamating Hawke's Bay Regional Council, its four constituent territorial authorities (Napier City Council, Central Hawke's Bay District Council, Hastings District Council and Wairoa District Council), and the small parts of the Rangitikei District Council (the rural community of Ngamahanga) and Taupo District Council (the rural community of Taharua) that fall within the Hawke's Bay Region into a unitary authority that would hold all local decision-making powers for the region. This proposal was initiated by an application from a group called "A Better Hawke's Bay"[41] and followed the Government-led amalgamation of eight local authorities into the new Auckland Council in 2010 and a 2012 "prosperity study" that found a similar amalgamation in Hawke's Bay could save up to $25m per year.[42] A previous proposal to merge Napier and Hastings, though supported by Hastings residents, was defeated in a public referendum in 1999.[43]

The Local Government Commission released an initial proposal in November 2013.[44] After taking public submissions on the proposal, the Commission issued a final proposal in June 2015. The final proposal was that Hawke's Bay would be governed by a unitary council comprising a governing body (one mayor elected at-large and eighteen councillors elected across five wards) with subsidiary decision-making made by five local boards (each with six to nine elected members).[45]

Under the Local Government Act, the public had the right to demand a binding referendum on whether the amalgamation should proceed; such a demand would be valid if it was signed by at least 10% of the affected electors in one of the affected districts. Two days after the final proposal was issued, a valid referendum demand signed by more than 10% of the affected electors in the Rangitikei district was received[46] (there were only twelve affected electors in that district, therefore only two signatures were required to trigger the poll[43][47]). The referendum was held by post. Voting concluded on Tuesday 15 September 2015. Because 66% of electors opposed the change,[48] the proposal was defeated and did not progress further. Results broken down to the council level showed that only Hastings district electors favoured amalgamation (52% in favour). Napier (84% opposed), Wairoa District (88% opposed) and Central Hawke's Bay (58%) were opposed. Only four votes were returned from Rangitikei (two each way); no votes were returned from Taupo district.[48]

Culture
Inside a Hawke's Bay winery

The region is served by a variety of radio stations including Radio Kahungunu, The Hits 89.5, More FM, access station Radio Hawke's Bay (formally Radio Kidnappers) and local station Bay FM. As well, most of the national commercial and non-commercial operators have transmitters covering the region.

The Hawke's Bay wine region produces some of New Zealand's finest wines, celebrated together with local cuisine twice a year with the Food And Wine Classic festivals. These take place over several weekends in winter and ten days in summer, attracting thousands of visitors, many from overseas.[49]

Napier is home to the Mission Concert held early each year since 1993. The event, held at the Mission Estate Winery in Taradale, has attracted performers such as Kenny Rogers, Elton John, Shirley Bassey, Rod Stewart, The B-52's, Belinda Carlisle, Ray Charles, and Eric Clapton. The 2009 concert attraction was to be Lionel Richie, but the concert was cancelled because of rain.

UK music artist Tycho Jones was staying in Hastings, Hawkes Bay when he was inspired to write the track Don't Be Afraid, produced by Jonathan Quarmby.[50]

Sport

The Hawke's Bay Rugby Union's representative team, the Magpies, plays in New Zealand's annual professional domestic rugby union competition, the Mitre 10 Cup. The team represents the Hawke's Bay Region in provincial representative rugby, and draws its players from the constituent clubs who are affiliated to the provincial union. The team play their home matches in McLean Park in Napier. Players representing Hawke's Bay are also eligible to play for the Hurricanes in the annual transnational Super Rugby competition. Hawke's Bay has produced a number of All Blacks.

The Hawke's Bay Hawks compete in the New Zealand National Basketball League.

References
  1. "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  2. "Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (regional councils); "Subnational population estimates (TA, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (territorial authorities); "Subnational population estimates (urban rural), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (urban areas)
  3. "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  4. Pollock, Kerryn. 'Hawke’s Bay region - Overview'. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. (accessed 9 November 2017)
  5. Pollock, Kerryn (15 November 2012). "Hawke's Bay region – Local government boundary changes". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
  6. Pollock, Kerryn (15 November 2012). "Hawke's Bay region – Government, education and health". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
  7. Lunn, Annette (9 June 2015). "Hawke's Bay to amalgamate councils". Newstalk ZB.
  8. Henderey, Simon (15 September 2015). "Hawke's Bay voters reject five-council amalgamation proposal". The Dominion Post. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  9. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Hawke's Bay Region (06). 2018 Census place summary: Hawke's Bay Region
  10. "2001 Census: Regional summary". archive.stats.govt.nz. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  11. "Birthplace (detailed), for the census usually resident population count, 2006, 2013, and 2018 Censuses (RC, TA, SA2, DHB)". Statistics New Zealand.
  12. Don Grady (1986) Sealers & whalers in New Zealand waters, Auckland, Reed Methuen, p.150. ISBN 0474000508
  13. "Cyclone Gabrielle: Town cut off as Wairoa River bursts its banks, flooding homes of about half its population". 14 February 2023.
  14. "Hawke's Bay RSE workers rescued after 10 hours trapped on roofs amid flood waters".
  15. "Regional gross domestic product: Year ended March 2019 | Stats NZ". www.stats.govt.nz. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  16. "Fresh Facts: New Zealand Horticulture" (PDF). Plant & Food Research. 2018. ISSN 1177-2190.
  17. The-Wine-Library Archived 5 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine Short Description of wine in Hawkes Bay
  18. "New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Report 2018" (PDF). New Zealand Winegrowers. 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  19. "Space Coast New Zealand". Wairoa District Council. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  20. "A magnitude 7.6 earthquake occurred 35 km east of Taihape, New Zealand on Sat Jul 8 1843 5:09 PM. The quake was 12 kilometres deep and the shaking was severe close to the quake".
  21. "A magnitude 7.5 earthquake occurred Within 5 km of Waipukurau, New Zealand on Mon Feb 23 1863 12:39 AM. The quake was 25 kilometres deep and the shaking was severe close to the quake".
  22. "A magnitude 5.8 earthquake occurred 35 km south of Gisborne, New Zealand on Tue Sep 14 1875 11:39 PM. The quake was 25 kilometres deep and the shaking was strong close to the quake".
  23. "A magnitude 7.0 earthquake occurred 20 km south-west of Porangahau, New Zealand on Tue Aug 9 1904 10:20 AM. The quake was 16 kilometres deep and the shaking was severe close to the quake".
  24. "A magnitude 6.7 earthquake occurred 45 km north-west of Napier, New Zealand on Wed Jun 29 1921 1:28 AM. The quake was 80 kilometres deep and the shaking was severe close to the quake".
  25. "A magnitude 6.2 earthquake occurred 10 km south-west of Porangahau, New Zealand on Wed Feb 12 1930 6:22 PM. The quake was 33 kilometres deep and the shaking was severe close to the quake".
  26. "GeoNet News". info.geonet.org.nz.
  27. "A magnitude 5.8 earthquake occurred 20 km north of Napier, New Zealand on Tue Feb 3 1931 8:41 PM. The quake was 25 kilometres deep and the shaking was strong close to the quake".
  28. "A magnitude 6.4 earthquake occurred 15 km south-east of Wairoa, New Zealand on Sun Feb 8 1931 1:44 PM. The quake was 60 kilometres deep and the shaking was severe close to the quake".
  29. "A magnitude 7.3 earthquake occurred 50 km south of Wairoa, New Zealand on Fri Feb 13 1931 1:27 PM. The quake was 30 kilometres deep and the shaking was severe close to the quake".
  30. "A magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurred 45 km east of Napier, New Zealand on Thu May 5 1932 7:54 PM. The quake was 12 kilometres deep and the shaking was strong close to the quake".
  31. "A magnitude 6.9 earthquake occurred 15 km north-east of Wairoa, New Zealand on Fri Sep 16 1932 1:25 AM. The quake was 12 kilometres deep and the shaking was severe close to the quake".
  32. "A magnitude 7.2 earthquake occurred 5 km east of Pongaroa, New Zealand on Mon Mar 5 1934 11:46 PM. The quake was 12 kilometres deep and the shaking was severe close to the quake".
  33. "A magnitude 6.3 earthquake occurred 30 km south-west of Wairoa, New Zealand on Thu Mar 15 1934 10:46 PM. The quake was 25 kilometres deep and the shaking was severe close to the quake".
  34. "A magnitude 6.0 earthquake occurred 30 km north-west of Hastings, New Zealand on Mon Feb 26 1940 6:16 PM. The quake was 25 kilometres deep and the shaking was strong close to the quake".
  35. "A magnitude 5.8 earthquake occurred 45 km north-west of Wairoa, New Zealand on Wed Mar 1 1950 6:58 AM. The quake was 60 kilometres deep and the shaking was moderate close to the quake".
  36. "A magnitude 6.2 earthquake occurred 35 km east of Porangahau, New Zealand on Sat Feb 10 1951 3:27 PM. The quake was 33 kilometres deep and the shaking was strong close to the quake".
  37. "A magnitude 5.7 earthquake occurred 5 km south of Hastings, New Zealand on Mon Oct 6 1980 3:32 AM. The quake was 30 kilometres deep and the shaking was strong close to the quake".
  38. "A magnitude 6.2 earthquake occurred 20 km north-east of Pongaroa, New Zealand on Mon Feb 19 1990 6:34 PM The quake was 34 kilometres deep and the shaking was severe close to the quake".
  39. "A magnitude 6.4 earthquake occurred 15 km south-west of Porangahau, New Zealand on Sun May 13 1990 4:23 PM. The quake was 30 kilometres deep and the shaking was severe close to the quake".
  40. "Hawke's Bay council elects youngest and first wahine chair". Inside Government NZ. JSL Media. 26 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  41. "Decisions and Determinations | Local Government Commission". www.lgc.govt.nz. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  42. "Hawke's Bay amalgamation could save $25m". Stuff. 3 September 2012. Archived from the original on 27 April 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  43. Laing, Doug. "Close to quarter on roll cast votes". New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 27 April 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  44. Henderey, Simon (26 November 2013). "Amalgamation plan revealed". New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 27 April 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  45. Local Government Commission (June 2015). "Hawke's Bay Local Government Reorganisation: Final Proposal" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  46. "Poll process update for Hawke's Bay reorganisation proposal | Local Government Commission". www.lgc.govt.nz. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  47. Sharpe, Marty (27 November 2013). "Two people could force council amalgamation poll". Stuff. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  48. electionz.com (18 September 2015). "Hawke's Bay Reorganisation Poll". www.scoop.co.nz. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2021. Four votes from Rangitikei were received in the referendum, with turnout from that being 33.33% showing that the total number of affected electors was approximately 12.
  49. Harfield, Ruby (13 November 2017). "Newcomers flock to 10-day Hawke's Bay Food and Wine Classic F.A.W.C!". Hawke's Bay Today. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  50. Sawyer, Jack (9 May 2020). "Tycho Jones delivers on single-run finale with 'Don't Be Afraid' & Tychonaut EP". Musical Motif.
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