Hastings, New Zealand

Geography

Situated on the Heretaunga Plains, Hastings City is flat with no natural landmarks. The local area is very productive, with orchards, farms and vineyards surrounding the city. The main industries are agricultural, with processing plants and canneries being local employers. Honey is also a well-known local product. A New Zealand favorite brand 'Watties' part of the Heinz-Watties group is known for it's New Zealand Famous, 'Watties Tomato Sauce', it's plant is located in Hastings City, along with the local brand of canned fruit "Oak's" named after Oak Ave in Hastings City. Many industries like Watties and Oak's are located in Hastings as it is abundant is produce, meat and other agricultural and horticultural products.

Related Topics:
Heretaunga Plains - Orchard - Farms - Vineyard - Honey

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Hastings has a sunny climate with over 2200 sunshine hours anually and a average rainfall of less then 800 mm. Hastings is one of the warmest cities anually and the hottest place in summer with New Zealand's highest January maximum average of 26 °C (Alexandra 23.5 °C, Christchurch 22.5 °C). Because of its location 15 km inland, the sea breeze does not have a major affect on Hastings climate as it does in Napier. Days over 30 °C in the summer are not uncommon while it is unknown what the highest recorded temperature is as Hastings only recieved a weather station two years ago. Some estimates is that it may have reached the national record of 42.4 °C during the 1973 heatwave. In winter, maximum highs of 15 °C are frequent and occasionally the temperature will exceed 20 °C with northwest winds. The low humidity and one of the highest amounts of sunshine in New Zealand make it an excellent place for growers, farmers and families.

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Hastings is quite historic and tourist-welcoming, but due to its lack of landmarks and proximity to the more picturesque Napier, it is much less of a tourist destination. However, Hastings City does have Hawke's Bays largest amusement park, a large water park called 'Splash Planet' replacing 'Fantasyland' near the turn of the millennium. This is a masssive attraction in Hastings City and draws many people to Hastings City.

Related Topics:
Napier - Tourist

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Hastings was also damaged in the Hawkes Bay Earthquake but at the time, Napier was larger than Hastings and more damage was seen in Napier. However, because of the lesser damage and more leftover buildings and property, Hastings grew larger and many businesses started to grow in Hastings rather than in Napier, and so many of the older buildings in Downtown, especially along Heretaunga Street are of distinct Art Deco Fashion, similar to that of Napier and Miami, FL, USA. Although, as business improves in Hastings and the skyrocketing land prices in Hastings City, many of the historic buildings are being demolished and replaced with multi storey office buildings.

Related Topics:
Hawkes Bay Earthquake - Art Deco - Napier - Miami - FL - USA

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