Hastings travel guide

Hastings is a lively, sprawling, mainly agricultural service centre 21 km south of Napier and, like Napier, it was devastated by the 1931 earthquake, with the loss of 93 lives. In rebuilding the town the architects echoed Napier’s art deco and Spanish Mission styles, much of which can clearly be seen in the town centre. The two best examples are the Westerman’s Building that now houses the VIC (I-Site) on Russell Street and the recently refurbished HB Opera House on Hastings Street. The prominent art deco clock tower, right in the centre of town, was erected in 1935 to house the bells from the old 1909 Post Office Tower which collapsed in the quake; architect Sydney Chaplin won 25 Guineas ($52) for its design. During the summer the town is a blaze of colour for the annual Blossom Festival, when row upon row of hanging baskets line the streets providing a tourist attraction in itself and winning the town much praise around the country.