Message from Sandra Hazlehurst to stay safe
Wear a mask during while buying groceries, exercising or receiving healthcare, and practice social distancing.
These are just few of many messages conveyed by the Hastings District Council after New Zealand suddenly plunged into Alert Level 4 at 11.59pm on Tuesday night.
The council’s essential services were still operating during lock-down, but other restrictions and closures were in place in line with Ministry of Health guidelines.
Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said council was well-prepared for any shift in alert levels, and ready to respond to keep people safe.
“Although it’s disappointing to be back in this situation again, all of our teams are working hard to keep essential services operating and help our community get through this,” she said.
All council facilities were shut, including public toilets, public drinking water fountains and chlorine-removed taps.
Kerbside waste collections were still running as normal, but the transfer stations and rural recycling stations were closed, except for essential workers.
All playgrounds were closed, but parks and reserves remained open for people to walk and exercise in, but they were asked to follow the advice to wear masks, stay two metres apart, remain at home if they feel unwell, and not take part in any activities that could result in injury requiring emergency help.
Council’s Lyndon Road customer service centre was closed to the public, but the team will be responding to enquiries.
The Animal Control Centre was also closed to the public and officers, only responding to call-outs where there was a “threat to public safety or livestock”.
“The best thing we can all do right now is stick to the health advice which is keeping us safe.
“Once again, we need to look out for each other, be kind and keep to the government guidelines to stay safe and do what we can together so we can get back to normal as soon as possible,” Hazlehurst said.
The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council said the GoBay bus services had moved to a Saturday timetable, with the addition of the regular routes.
Council said GoBay services would be available for essential service workers, and for communities to access supermarkets, pharmacies and health facilities in accordance with Government directions.
Face coverings were mandatory on all public transport services, with council asking travellers to bring their own mask and put it on before boarding.
Fares would remain in place across the region, but cash handling will be removed.
*For any further information please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions on the council website www.hastingsdc.govt.nz... or call customer service on 871 5000.
Suellen’s sweet Christmas tradition
The festive season is always a great excuse to indulge your sweet tooth, and this time of year poses the perfect opportunity to bring a real showstopper to the Christmas table.
For Suellen’s family, that showstopper is Croquembouche, an impressive tower of cream puffs bound together with spun sugar that is popular at weddings in France and Italy.
What began as a birthday treat at a local French café has become a cherished Christmas tradition for Suellen and her 17-year-old twin granddaughters, Ellie and Sadie. Every year, the trio gather in Suellen’s apartment at William Sanders Village to cook this festive dessert - a holiday highlight they all treasure.
Click read more for the recipe.
Would you like a free copy of our February 2025 issue?
Kia ora neighbours. We give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine. We're still on the hunt for tomato recipes, so send your family's favourite way to use up your homegrown harvest, to: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. If we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of the mag
On the range
Venetian plaster finishes are on-trend at the moment, so why not recreate this look at home and cover that unsightly rangehood at the same time? Find out how to create your own with Resene Sandtex and these easy step by step instructions.
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