In 2004, local concern for the future of the unique collection of buildings in Hastings’ CBD encouraged the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (NZHPT) to undertake a heritage inventory project. While some identification and protection mechanisms did exist (such as the Russell Street Historic Area), important buildings in Hastings were at risk from demolition and development.  This project set out to find individual heritage gems and remarkable collections of inner city heritage that had previously been missed or overlooked so that their survival could be better secured.

Working in partnership with Hastings District Council the project has been a great success. It resulted in an extensive inventory for Council of the CBD, and the addition of eight Category I buildings and 15 Category II buildings, and a Historic Area to the NZHPT’s National Register [see table below].

Telling the Hastings story

The project has highlighted wonderful gems that help to tell Hastings’ unique story.

In 1931 Hawke’s Bay was devastated by a powerful earthquake. The majority of buildings in Hastings’ CBD were destroyed and were subsequently rebuilt in the Spanish Mission and Art Deco styles that were prominent at that time.

Of the few buildings that survived, the former Municipal Theatre (built in 1915) is one of the earliest examples of the Spanish Mission Style in the country. With a rare Art Nouveau interior, the Municipal Theatre demonstrates the emergence of these styles in New Zealand.  Most recently restored and extended into a remarkable theatre/auditorium complex, this building illustrates the potential of heritage buildings for adaptive re-use.

Other buildings tell more social stories. For example, before the Municipal Women’s Rest was completed in 1921, public rest rooms for women did not exist. Their construction reflected the increasing emancipation of women and recognition of their needs outside the home.

Other interesting examples include the 1934 Clock Tower - significant for its Art Deco styling and as a memorial to those who died in the earthquake, and the former Medical and Dental Chambers (1936), constructed in the Art Deco style. This landmark is probably the earliest example of a group practice/clinic premises in the Hastings area.

One of the most admired buildings from the street edge is Westerman’s.  Along with neighbouring buildings such as Christie’s (Medical Centre), Harvey’s, Popplewell’s and the former Post Office, Westerman’s forms a notably intact collection of Art Deco buildings.  These have been registered as a Historic Area in recognition of their group value. 

Protecting heritage

Council’s heritage inventory has become a key resource to improving heritage protection mechanisms and initiatives in the city. In 2006, the Hastings District Council established a Central Character Precinct with protection measures and design control guides. Furthermore, the information compiled on the buildings is invaluable to owners. Knowledge of why a building is important on its own or as a group of buildings can assist owners to make decisions on repairs and maintenance, additions and alterations including seismic strengthening, and future redevelopment that maintains character and integrity.

A wide range of people have contributed to this project. NZHPT acknowledges the grateful assistance of the Hastings District Council, Hastings City Marketing Inc, the Landmarks Trust, Hawke’s Bay Branch Committee of NZHPT, Hastings locals, historians, conservation architects, and Victoria University post graduate students.  The outcome of this Inventory Project has been extremely positive, serving to promote and protect both the physical character of, and the unique stories associated with, Hastings’ CBD.

Registered historic buildings

Category I	Category II	Historic Area
Clock Tower (1935) Hastings Municipal Buildings (1916) (former) Hasting Municipal Theatre (1915) (former) Hastings Municipal Woman’s Rest (1920-1921) Medical and Dental Chambers (1936) (former) Westerman’s Building (1931) St Matthews Church (1885-1886)	Albert Hotel (c.1882) Central Building (1934) CML Building (1939) Commercial Bank of Australia Building (1933) Dominion Building (1907-1908) Karamu Chambers (1935) Hastings Cenotaph (1923) Hawkes Bay Farmers Building (c.1930) Hawkes Bay Farmers Co-operative Assoc. Ltd Garage (1925) Post Office (1932) (former) Poppelwells Building (1924) Public Trust Office (1935) (former) Rainbow & Hobbs Building (1914) (former) Roach’s Building (1934) Villa d’Este (1929)	Forming part of the Hastings Historic Area (not individually registered): Christie’s Building (Medical Centre) Harvey’s Building R & R building