Hastings District Council

This article is about the council in New Zealand. For the council in England, see Hastings Borough Council.
Hastings District Council

Te Kaunihera ā-Rohe o Heretaunga
Territorial authority
Type
Type
History
EstablishedMarch 6, 1989 (1989-03-06), 37 years ago
Preceded by
  • Hastings City Council
  • Havelock North Borough Council
  • Hawke's Bay County Council
Leadership
Deputy
Michael Fowler[1]
since October 2025
CEO
To’osavili Nigel Bickle
since 11 February 2019
Structure
Seats16 seats (1 mayor, 15 ward seats)
Political groups
  •   Independent (14)
  •   Independent Green (1)
  •   CARE for Hastings (1)
Length of term
3 years, renewable
Elections
First-past-the-post
Last election
11 October 2025
Next election
2028
Meeting place
Council building on Lyndon Rd E in Hastings
Website
hastingsdc.govt.nz

Hastings District Council (Māori: Te Kaunihera ā-Rohe o Heretaunga) is the territorial authority for the Hastings District of New Zealand.[2]

The council covers the urban areas of Havelock North, Hastings and Flaxmere, and the surrounding settlements of Clive, Te Awanga, Haumoana and Waimarama. It was formed in 1989, through the merger of Hastings City Council, Havelock North Borough Council and the Hawke's Bay County Council.[2]

The council is led by the mayor of Hastings, who is currently Wendy Schollum[3].[2]

History

2022–2025 term

Main article: 2022–2025 term of the Hastings District Council

The 2022–2025 term was dominated by the recovery of the district following the destruction caused by Cyclone Gabrielle. The council also dealt with issues related to infrastructure, crime, its youth council and finances.

Composition

Hastings District Council is made up of one mayor and 15 councillors representing five general wards and one Māori ward.[4]

Currently the council has 15 councillors, and 1 mayor.[4]

Mayor

Main article: Mayor of Hastings

The current mayor is Wendy Schollum.

Mayor Affiliation
Wendy Schollum Independent

List of current councillors

Councillors for the 2025–2028 term[5]
Ward Photo Councillor Affiliation
Mohaka Derek Nowell-Usticke CARE for Hastings[6]
Flaxmere Henare O'Keefe Independent
Hastings-Havelock North Michael Fowler Independent
Steve Gibson Independent
Yvonne Lorkin Independent
Simon Nixon Independent
Nick Ratcliffe Independent Green[7]
Callum Ross Independent
Kevin Watkins Independent
Heretaunga Alwyn Corban Independent
Hana Montaperto-Hendry Independent
Kahuranaki Elisha Milmine Independent
Takitimu Siiam Daniel Independent
Kellie Jessup Independent
Heather Te Au-Skipworth Independent

Rural Community Board

The council also has a Rural Community Board, made up of four members elected from four rural community areas:[2][8]

  • Kaweka subdivision: Isabelle Crawshaw
  • Maraekakaho subdivision: Vacant
  • Poukawa subdivision: Peter Maclennan
  • Tutira subdivision: Abby Jane Morley
  • District councillors representing Mohaka, Kahuranaki, and Takitimu wards are also members.

Coat of arms

Coat of arms of Hastings District Council
Notes
The council has a coat of arms, granted in 1993, which incorporates features from the coats of arms of the former Hastings City, Havelock North Borough and Hawke's Bay County councils. The blazon is:[9][10]
Crest
On a wreath of the colours, clouds Argent, rays Or, a sunburst supporting a toothed wheel, perforated of six, centred and rimmed Argent, Gules.
Escutcheon
Per pale Vert and Argent, in dexter a cross-crosslet fitchy Or (for Havelock North Borough Council); in sinister, on a cross carved with a Māori pattern Gules, a sun in splendour Or (for Hawke's Bay County Council); on a chief party per pale Argent and Vert, a lion passant guardant, armed and langued Gules within an orle of fern leaves all counterchanged (for Hastings City Council). An inescutcheon Or charged with a manche Gules (for Warren Hastings).
Supporters
Dexter, a ram, tail couped, horned and hoofed Or, proper, supporting on a staff proper palewise flying to the dexter an ensign Sable, two bars Argent edged and charged with a hawk rising Or (for Hawke's Bay and Lord Hawke).

Sinister, a bull, armed and hoofed Or, supporting a staff property palewise flying to the sinister, edged Or, a New Zealand Ensign; all supported by a profusion of apples, pears, peaches, grapes and miro berries with their leaves, surmounting a Māori style carved panel representing Rongomatane and Haumiatiketike, all proper.
Motto
Urbis Et Ruris Concordia (Town and Country in Harmony).

Notes

References

  1. ^ Hamilton-Irvine, Gary (20 October 2025). "Local elections 2025: Deputy mayors chosen for Napier, Hastings, Wairoa; final regional councillor elected". Hawke's Bay Today. The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d "About Council". hastingsdc.govt.nz. Hastings District Council.
  3. ^ "2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result" (PDF). Electionz. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Mayor & Councillors". Hastings District Council. 7 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  5. ^ Lampp, Warwick (16 October 2025). "Hastings District Council – 2025 Triennial Elections – Declaration of Result" (PDF). ElectioNZ.
  6. ^ "Derek Nowell-Usticke". CARE for Hastings. Archived from the original on 7 September 2025.
  7. ^ "Nick Ratcliffe – Hastings-Havelock Ward". Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand. Archived from the original on 27 August 2025.
  8. ^ "Rural Community Board". Hastings District Council. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  9. ^ "Coat of Arms". www.hastingsdc.govt.nz. Hastings District Council. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  10. ^ "HASTINGS' 50TH: Coat of arms tells a story". Hawkes Bay Today. New Zealand Herald. 7 February 2006. Retrieved 13 July 2024.

39°38′43″S 176°50′25″E / 39.6453153°S 176.840366°E / -39.6453153; 176.840366

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