Hastings District Council Chief Executive Nigel Bickle sees 2025 as a pivotal year for the region’s ongoing recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle, while expressing cautious optimism about economic growth and development opportunities ahead.
Through a jointly funded government and council initiative, 167 properties across Hastings and Napier were identified for voluntary buyouts, with 153 in Hastings alone. The programme, providing either full property purchases or relocation grants based on land size, represents a significant step in supporting affected residents.
Looking back at 2024, Nigel describes a year dominated by recovery efforts.
“Our primary focus in 2024 was still on the recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle, which meant it was a year of continuing to assist those most impacted – from completing the Voluntary Buyout process to getting on with delivering extensive infrastructure repairs,” he says.
Now, an ambitious $800 million rebuild plan spans the next seven to ten years, targeting the region’s 1,640-kilometre roading network. This comprehensive strategy includes repairs to 161 bridges, the construction of 13 permanent bridges and six large culverts, plus addressing 224 major slip sites. Nigel sees encouraging signs in the economic landscape, particularly noting the impact of declining interest rates.
“We are seeing some green shoots of optimism with the continued decline in interest rates that will encourage more development and investment,” he explains, while acknowledging “it’s still a very tough time for a number of sectors of our economy, and many in our community.”
The council’s strategic focus for 2025 centres heavily on infrastructure investment, encompassing cyclone recovery, transport, and three waters initiatives. “We will be looking at ways to be more innovative and efficient to maximise the value of this investment,” Nigel emphasises.
Despite the challenges ahead, he maintains a strong focus on promoting regional growth and development. “It’s about keeping positive about Hawke’s Bay and continuing to promote a positive Hawke’s Bay brand both nationally and internationally,” he states, highlighting the importance of maintaining regional confidence and appeal.
On a personal level, Nigel emphasises the importance of leadership resilience in supporting community recovery.
“My personal commitment is to focus on positive physical and mental wellbeing and resilience to do the job we do to support our community as well as we can.”
As Hastings District Council navigates through 2025, the focus remains firmly on rebuilding and strengthening infrastructure while fostering economic recovery, marking what promises to be another significant year in the region’s post-cyclone journey.
