Latest news with #Hazlehurst
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Mayor Who Led Cyclone Gabrielle Recovery Steps Down After 9 Years
A force of nature, a 'Queen of infrastructure' and the woman you knew would be at every weekend event - Sandra Hazlehurst will leave quite the legacy. Hastings' charismatic and indomitable mayor has announced she won't seek re-election as Hastings mayor after nine years at the helm. Hazlehurst's advice to whoever she hands the chains over to is to do what she at times struggled to do - ask other people to help out a bit. She said while she would miss being out in the community opening every skatepark, attending every concert 'in hindsight I should have shared the load with councillors'. The 66-year-old said she felt honoured and privileged to have served the Hastings community as a councillor and mayor over the past 15 years, and she had mixed emotions about her decision. She said the timing of her mayoralty couldn't have been better. 'My two daughters are living overseas so they haven't had to deal with any negative comments, but most people are respectful even if they don't agree with some of our decisions. 'My husband Mark has been incredibly supportive and he's excited he might see more of me," she laughed. Known for her passion for fashion and her huge smile Hazlehurst says community has always been part of her life. 'My parents owned Warren's Bakery so we were always part of any community festivities.' She said the past three years had been the hardest. 'Cyclone Gabrielle has had a devastating impact on the lives, livelihoods, and property of our people. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has played a part in our ongoing recovery – rebuilding lives, reconnecting communities, and restoring vital infrastructure. 'But everyone has been engaged. We've faced huge challenges. I'm thrilled at how much we have got done. We have rebuilt infrastructure, and invested in housing developments, the CBD is looking vibrant which has attracted more businesses. 'I'm particularly proud of how far Flaxmere has come. That has all come from listening to what people in the community want and that was homes. 'We are public servants so we do listen to the community. That's exactly what we did with the Opera House in 2014. 'We had 3000 submissions for and against rebuilding it. 'But what finally made our minds up was a group of schoolboys including Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono singing in the chamber and then asking us 'where will we sing if you don't rebuild'?' On Sunday, June 8, Emmanuel, who is from Flaxmere, will be singing at the Toitoi Hawke's Bay Arts and Events Centre in Hastings before he heads to the international opera stage. He has been accepted into the Merola Opera Program in San Francisco and the Jette Parker Artists Programme at London's Royal Opera House. 'That is what makes local governance worthwhile.' She says the council needs stay on course in the next few years. 'While my time as Hastings' mayor will end in October, I am excited to continue to serve our community in other ways. I am a loud and proud Heretaunga Hastings champion and will continue to passionately support all festivals and events. 'In the meantime, there is much to do as we consider the future of delivering drinking water, wastewater and stormwater through the Local Waters Done Well Reform and continue rebuilding our infrastructure after Cyclone Gabrielle. 'To the people of Heretaunga Hastings, thank you for your support, trust and aroha over the years, for which I am very grateful. It has been a privilege to serve you.'
NZ Herald
5 days ago
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Sandra Hazlehurst: Mayor who led Cyclone Gabrielle recovery steps down after 9 years
A charismatic mayor who led the worst-hit district through Cyclone Gabrielle is standing down. Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst has announced she will not be standing in the October elections after nine years at the helm. 'It's time to hand over the chains,' Hazlehurst said. 'The road has not always been
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Plans For $2.5 Million Inner-City Development In Hastings For Vibrant Living
More inner-city living is on the cards for Hastings with a Queen St West site earmarked for a $2.5 million development. The Hastings District Council-owned site has been partially sold to Mike Walker Management (MWM) and plans include city housing, commercial spaces and a public car park. Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said the project brought the community's vision for a more vibrant, connected city centre one step closer. "It's also a positive step towards delivering on our commitment to enable more inner city living, supported by a variation to the proposed district plan in 2019 to allow residential activity in the upper floors of city centre buildings," Hazlehurst said. MWM director Mike Walker said the development of the former Farmers' Co-operative garage building was a unique opportunity to blend heritage and modern living in a way that brings long-term value to the community. "Hastings has a strong identity and rich history, and we're proud to be part of a project that reflects that," he said. "Our approach is to retain and celebrate what's already here while delivering spaces where people want to live, work and connect. "We believe this redevelopment will be a catalyst for even more investment and vibrancy in the city centre." Plans include strengthening and reusing the facade of the Farmers' Co-operative heritage building, terraced townhouses, new commercial tenancies and office space, and a public park and laneway connecting Queen St West to Heretaunga St West. The project follows a four-year search by the council for the right development partner. Demolition of the existing buildings is scheduled to begin in August 2025. Stage one will focus on delivering a new public green space, and pedestrian laneways, and strengthening the heritage facade. The next stage will see the development of commercial accommodation and then townhouses potentially beginning to be built as early as 2026. An application is under way to amend the existing resource consent, originally granted in May 2023 for a three-storey, mixed-use development comprising 20 apartments. The revised consent will allow for the development of terraced townhouses. The council will retain ownership of the public park and laneways while divesting the land for commercial and residential use at market value. It says the net cost of the project remains within the budget allocated in the Long-Term Plan 2024-34.
Scoop
14-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Hastings: Plans For $2.5m Inner-City Development For Vibrant Living
More inner-city living is on the cards for Hastings with a Queen St West site earmarked for a $2.5 million development. The Hastings District Council-owned site has been partially sold to Mike Walker Management (MWM) and plans include city housing, commercial spaces and a public car park. Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst says the project brings the community's vision for a more vibrant, connected city centre one step closer. 'It's also a positive step towards delivering on our commitment to enable more inner city living, supported by a variation to the proposed district plan in 2019 to allow residential activity in the upper floors of city centre buildings,' Hazlehurst said. MWM director Mike Walker said the development of the former Farmers' Co-operative garage building was a unique opportunity to blend heritage and modern living in a way that brings long-term value to the community. 'Hastings has a strong identity and rich history, and we're proud to be part of a project that reflects that,' he said. 'Our approach is to retain and celebrate what's already here while delivering spaces where people want to live, work and connect. We believe this redevelopment will be a catalyst for even more investment and vibrancy in the city centre.' Plans include strengthening and reusing the facade of the Farmers' Co-operative heritage building, terraced townhouses, new commercial tenancies and office space, and a public park and laneway connecting Queen St West to Heretaunga St West. The project follows a four-year search by the council for the right development partner. Demolition of the existing buildings is scheduled to begin in August 2025. Stage one will focus on delivering a new public green space, and pedestrian laneways, and strengthening the heritage facade. The next stage will see the development of commercial accommodation and then townhouses potentially beginning to be built as early as 2026. An application is under way to amend the existing resource consent, originally granted in May 2023 for a three-storey, mixed-use development comprising 20 apartments. The revised consent will allow for the development of terraced townhouses. The council will retain ownership of the public park and laneways while divesting the land for commercial and residential use at market value. It says the net cost of the project remains within the budget allocated in the Long-Term Plan 2024-34.
