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Ideal duration: 4-6 days
Best Time: November - April Read More
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Lying in the plains of Heretaunga of the Hawke’s Bay region, Hastings is one of the most populous cities in New Zealand. It’s twin city, Napiers is located at a 9km distance and together they form the bulk of a major population. The combined population of the two cities is around 134000. The district of Hastings has a good produce of apples and pears and is also an important area for wine and grape cultivation.
The cities have rich agricultural roots and their economy is majorly dependent on their produce. The tourism in Hastings- Napiers is intricately weaved through the food and wine culture of the cities, its rich agricultural produce. Hastings has around 75 wineries in and around the district and also has New Zealand’s oldest winery restaurant, Vidal Estate. There are ample of flea markets for one to pick up fresh vegetables, fruits and meat straight of nurseries and poultry.
The earliest settlers were the Maoris who leased 70 square kilometers of land of the Heretaunga plains to Thomas Tanner, a site of Karamu junction which was later renamed to Hastings. In 1989, Hastings was converged with Havelock North Borough that today stands as the Hastings district.
The city has faced several dangerous earthquakes over the last century that ended up in huge economic losses and also several lives were lost. This is due to its geographic location which makes it susceptible to high seismic activity.