Latest news with #SandraHazlehurst
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
RNZ News
6 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
'Mixed emotions': Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst not seeking re-election
Photo: SUPPLIED Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst has announced she will not seek re-election this year. The three-term mayor has led the council since 2017 and was a councillor before that, notching up 15 years of service. Hazlehurst said it was with "mixed emotions" that she decided it was time to hand over the chains. "I am honoured and privileged to have served our Heretaunga Hastings community as a councillor and mayor for the past 15 years," she said. "While my time as Hastings' mayor will end in October, I am excited to continue to serve our community in other ways." She said achievements during her term included investment in water infrastructure following the 2016 Havelock North campylobacter outbreak, tackling the housing crisis, revitalising the city centre, and building close relationships with mana whenua. "The introducing of our Takitimu Māori Ward was a highlight for me. Māori representation at the council table has made a huge impact on the well-being and cohesiveness of our community." But she said it had not always been easy. "Cyclone Gabrielle has had a devastating impact on our people's lives, their livelihoods and their property. "I am deeply grateful to everyone who has played a part in our ongoing recovery - rebuilding lives, reconnecting communities, and restoring vital infrastructure. Her term will end after local body elections in October. So far, current councillor Marcus Buddo has put his hat in the ring for the mayoralty, and fellow councillor Damon Harvey was strongly considering it.
NZ Herald
22-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Budget 25: Millions for cyclone-hit roads, SuperGold cardholder rates relief
A media release after the Budget said the five councils likely to receive a share of the $219 million are Central Hawke's Bay District Council, Gisborne District Council, Hastings District Council, Napier City Council, and Wairoa District Council. Bishop said a resilient transport network in the East Coast and Hawke's Bay regions would help deliver the infrastructure communities need to grow their businesses, get their kids to school, and ensure goods get from A to B efficiently'. Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst called the decision a 'promising signal', but the council would need to look at the details. 'Any extra funding for our ongoing bridge and road rebuild programme will be extremely welcome,' she said. In more good news for local councils, Minister of Local Government Simon Watts and Minister for Seniors announced Budget 25 will help up to 66,000 more SuperGold Cardholders with their rates payments by introducing a new income abatement threshold from July 1. The income abatement threshold to be eligible for the maximum rebate for SuperGold Cardholders and their households will be lifted from $31,510 to $45,000 – about the rate for a couple receiving superannuation. The maximum rebate for the scheme will also increase from $790 to $805. Costello said if over-65s have questions about eligibility they can contact their council or retirement village operator. 'It will mean that every SuperGold Cardholder earning only NZ Superannuation, with rates higher than $2000, will be eligible for the full rebate,' she said. 'SuperGold Cardholders earning more than $45,000 may also be entitled to a smaller rebate. 'These changes, worth $154 million over four years, will come as a relief to those seniors who are on fixed incomes and are dealing with rates increases.'
NZ Herald
21-05-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Local Elections 2025: Malcolm Dixon retires from Hastings council to focus on family
Reopening Hastings' Opera House and the council's response after Cyclone Gabrielle were two highlights for the Hastings and Havelock North ward councillor. 'With the Opera House, the community told us they wanted the complex to be restored – and on reflection, we're all lucky they did. 'What no one knew at the time was the side walls had no footings and the bricks were sitting on riverbed shingle, and the conduit covering the wiring in the Municipal Buildings had perished and needed to be replaced.' Setbacks have included the Havelock North water crisis in 2016, which led to major investment in water infrastructure and triggered Government-led reform across New Zealand, as well as the impacts of Covid-19 and Cyclone Gabrielle. 'These events have all added to the council's debt, but from adversity comes renewed energy and a stronger community,' Dixon said. 'Our hands were forced to spend, but we are now ahead of other councils in the region, especially in water infrastructure. 'Much of this can be attributed to the hard work of council staff and strong governance, well led by Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst.' Dixon said he was fitted with a colostomy bag in 2016. 'I have since moved more motions than anyone else around the table,' he said with a laugh. 'It has been a fascinating, informative, challenging and, above all, rewarding journey.'
