Hawke's Bay Regional Council

Hawke's Bay Regional Council Enhancing our environment together 🌱
Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

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The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council page must not be used for electioneering purposes. Any post - positive or negative - made by any individual specifically relating to their own - or someone else's - nomination, intention to run for Council or election campaign, will be removed immediately. Find out more: http://www.hbrc.govt.nz.

18/06/2026

I spy with my little eye 👀 a planter working way up high!

It's been another busy season at the nursery 🌱 With around 25,000 A and B grade willow and poplar poles for sale. Online...
17/06/2026

It's been another busy season at the nursery 🌱 With around 25,000 A and B grade willow and poplar poles for sale.

Online orders for poles will close next week, Monday 22 June.

Any remaining poles will be available from late July for purchase directly from the nursery.

Get your final online pole orders in now ⬇️
https://hbrc.info/orderwillowpoplarpoles

Erosion remains a major challenge for Hawke’s Bay with around 252,000 hectares considered high risk. These locally grown poles are part of our focus to promote Land and Water health.

Demand has been high this year, with poles widely used as a practical, long-term erosion control solution. They are used to stabilise slopes and reduce erosion on vulnerable land. Once planted, poplars and willows form extensive root systems that bind soil help prevent slips and provide shade and shelter for stock.

⚠️ Public Notice | 100-metre exclusion zone around scuttle operation east of Pania Reef. The Twofold Bay vessel will be ...
17/06/2026

⚠️ Public Notice | 100-metre exclusion zone around scuttle operation east of Pania Reef.

The Twofold Bay vessel will be towed from West Quay at 7am on 18 June to the final position which lies just east of Pania Reef to be scuttled at 1pm.

The vessels involved in the operation will be operating within a confined space during the transit through the Inner Harbour channel, all vessels not involved in the operation must keep clear in the interest of navigation safety. There will be a 100-metre exclusion zone around the vessel whilst underway and at the final position.

Vessels that are not a part of the operation are welcome to view the scuttling but must maintain a distance of at least 100 metres.

Our Total Mobility Scheme is changing from 1 July 2026. These changes are being made across the country based on a decis...
15/06/2026

Our Total Mobility Scheme is changing from 1 July 2026. These changes are being made across the country based on a decision by central government to keep the Total Mobility scheme financially sustainable.

What's changing?
• Total Mobility subsidy will reduce from 75 percent ➡️ 65 percent
• Maximum fare cap will reduce from $50 ➡️ $45 per trip.

“We recognise this reduction in subsidy will have a real impact on some of the people who depend on Total Mobility most, and we are working with providers to ensure people understand what is changing and can continue to access the scheme with confidence,” an HBRC spokesperson says.

What's not changing?
• Eligibility for the Total Mobility scheme
• How Total Mobility cards are used
• Approved transport operators
• Access to subsidised door-to-door transport services.

The Total Mobility Scheme provides travel services for Hawke’s Bay residents who are unable to use public transport due to a significant permanent impairment. We work with transport providers to support Total Mobility cardholders across the region.

For more information on the Total Mobility Scheme, visit: https://www.hbrc.govt.nz/services/transport/total-mobility/

11/06/2026

We sure know how to put on a sky show in the Bay 🔥

A quick appreciation post for some (of the many!) beautiful sunsets and sunrises that came through on our recent Facebook post.

Planning a trip on SH2?As part of our flood resilience programme, crews will be doing some work on State Highway 2 in Wh...
10/06/2026

Planning a trip on SH2?

As part of our flood resilience programme, crews will be doing some work on State Highway 2 in Whirinaki over the next couple of weeks.

Please plan for delays up to 10 minutes with shoulder closures and reduced speed limits. There may also be periods of stop/go traffic management during working hours – Monday to Saturday 7 am to 5 pm.

Thank you for your patience.

We’ll keep our project website and mailing list updated with any changes - https://www.hbrc.govt.nz/hawkes-bay/projects/restoring-flood-resilience/whirinaki/

Pull up your latest sunrise/sunset pic. It has a home here.All those gorgeous photos of the sky you take that never agai...
10/06/2026

Pull up your latest sunrise/sunset pic. It has a home here.

All those gorgeous photos of the sky you take that never again see the light of day? Well pop off and post them in the comments 👇 We’re keen to see the spectacular sunrises or sunsets you’ve managed to photograph around the Bay this season!

Our beautiful skies should be the only thing in the air that takes your breath away this winter. We want to celebrate the success of the work we’ve achieved as a region, not only to be able to enjoy the view of Hawke’s Bay’s skies, but to know we’re safely able to gasp as deep as we like when we’re struck by its beauty.

Over the last decade we’ve seen notable improvement in the air quality around Hawke’s Bay’s residential areas. That means less smog, and fewer of those pesky tiny particles that can make their way into our lungs and affect our health. Our scientists call these particles PM10 and PM2.5. The graph in the comments shows the decline in the number of days per year since 2006 in which our urban areas created too many of these particles (according to National Environmental Standards).

And it’s not just Hawke’s Bay! New data released by the Land, Air, Water Aotearoa project shows air quality has improved over the past decade at almost three-quarters of regional and unitary council monitoring sites with a consistent monitoring record. Visit the link in the comments for more information.

Let's keep up the good work, especially in winter, to keep our air clear and healthy:
🪵 Only burn paper or dry wood in your fireplace.
♨️ Think about converting to a heat pump system which will be good for your wallet and for your health and the health of the region.
🔥 Know the rules for other burning activity over winter.

You can find more info on what that means for you on our winter burning page: https://www.hbrc.govt.nz/environment/environmental-data/air-quality/outdoor-burning/

The results are in and it's good news! This year’s Napier Inner Harbour survey found no marine pests new to Hawke’s Bay ...
09/06/2026

The results are in and it's good news! This year’s Napier Inner Harbour survey found no marine pests new to Hawke’s Bay have been found.

Thank you to our contractors Dive Hard LTD who carried out the underwater inspections, including of all the vessels, marinas, slipways, moorings, piles and wharfs within the harbour.

📊 Why do we do the survey?
• Marine pests compete with and prey on native species, modify habitats, alter ecosystem processes and damage marine industries. Once here, they can be difficult and expensive to remove.
• Boat hulls are considered the main way marine pests spread, which is why it’s so important for boaties to have clean hulls when moving between areas.
• Two of the nasties we DON’T want here are the Mediterranean fanworm and clubbed tunicate (pictured), both fond of complete takeovers. Check out https://www.hbrc.govt.nz/environment/pest-control/marine-pests/ for photos (not a pretty sight) and further info.

🙋‍♀️ What can I do?
• We have a list of top tips for boaties on our marine pests page
• We can all do our bit, whether you prefer to stay shoreside or get among the waves. Familiarise yourself with the pests we’re trying to keep out.
• If you see unusual marine plants and animals, or unusual numbers of dead fish or aquatic life in a harbour, estuary or beach, take a photo or sample, record the location, and let us know asap by phoning 06 835 9200 or emailing [email protected]

Help us protect the marine environment so we can all enjoy it in years to come 🐟

New wave buoy deployed off Wairoa We deployed a new wave buoy about 2.6 km offshore from the Wairoa River mouth on 4 Jun...
08/06/2026

New wave buoy deployed off Wairoa

We deployed a new wave buoy about 2.6 km offshore from the Wairoa River mouth on 4 June so we can better understand what’s happening offshore.

The buoy measures wave statistics (height, direction, etc) and wind speed, then sends that information back to help us:
• Understand when conditions are more likely to cause the river mouth to close
• Improve our wave forecasts
• Support Harbourmaster work to help keep people safe on the water
• Learn more about how sea spray can affect local air quality

The deployment was marked with a karakia supported by Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa.

Our team also cleaned and checked the buoy near the Esk River mouth on the same day. The team will regularly inspect both buoys and carry out any maintenance needed every 3- 4 months.

🌍Happy World Environment Day! This year we’re celebrating the progress our region has made on air quality and encouragin...
05/06/2026

🌍Happy World Environment Day! This year we’re celebrating the progress our region has made on air quality and encouraging everyone to keep up the effort.
Many actions that reduce local air pollution – such as cleaner home heating, less fuel burning, and lower-emission transport – also help cut climate-changing emissions. That’s a win-win for people and the planet.
Air quality is often worse in winter because of smoke from home heating. But we can all play our part to keep our air clean.

🧦It’s possible to keep warm and have efficient, clean heating. Find out more: https://www.hbrc.govt.nz/environment/environmental-data/air-quality/heating-your-home/
🏠 If you burn wood, use only dry, untreated timber. Tip: To check if your woodburner is working as it should, go outside and take a look at your chimney – you should only see a heat shimmer, not smoke.
🔥Check before you burn. Is your property in a restricted airshed? What’s an airshed? Find out more: https://www.hbrc.govt.nz/environment/environmental-data/air-quality/outdoor-burning/

The improvements reflected in LAWA’s national data are the result of years of local action, backed by council rules, education, monitoring, and community effort.
See the results and explore air quality in our region on the LAWA website: www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/air-quality
The progress we’ve made in improving air quality makes a real difference to the health and wellbeing of our whole community. Thank you and let’s keep the momentum going through winter.

Address

159 Dalton Street
Napier
4110

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+6468359200

Website

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