[Lupin]

Climate. This is a wine region. It rarely reaches zero C in winter and summers and long and hot :)
Proximity to coast. Loads of gorgeous beaches here in Hawkes Bay and no need to share them
Future growth. The airport will go International within a few years. All the ingredients are here for Hawkes Bay :yes
Schools. Fantastic schools including several well regarded independent schools.
Affluent area. Hawkes Bay is a funny place- a drive around the less nice suburbs of Hastings and Napier confirms that NZ's underbelly is alive and kicking here (as everywhere else) but we have some incredibly affluent areas- wineries and mansions abound in the Te Mata Peak area.
Natures playground. We've got it all folks :) The might Tukituki is perfect for swimming, kayaking and fishing. the Ruahines and Kaweka mountain ranges have tramps from half day family friendly ones to the full-on extreme snow field tramps for the tramp enthusiast. We have lakes that are out of this world (Waikaremoana springs to mind (http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/PlaceProfile.aspx?id=34812)) and unspoilt beaches aplenty to explore.
Twin cities of Hastings and Napier, only 20km apart, but totally different! Napier is a trendy, beautiful coffee shop art deco mecca. Hastings is more of a quintessential Kiwi rural town. Havelock North is most UK emigrants dream of NZ realised; excellent housing and schools, gorgeous little village centre (but don't be fooled- it's a town), community feel (including ex-pat community), wonderful outdoor pool, boutique shopping, etc, etc.
Property: Full range of property, but really well priced. Hastings and Napier both have 'nice' but less expensive areas, Havelock North has some middle range and lots of dearer properties and lots of developments are springing up on the outskirts like this one (http://www.tukituki.co.nz/index.html) . Reasonable 3 bed town homes are from $250 in Central HAwkes Bay (Waipukarua, Waipawa and Otane) and from $300 in Napier/Hastings but you can find cheaper with ease. Very decent homes of similar size in the decent areas or CHB towns are more like $3-400 and in Napier Hastings $400+. Lifestyle property is well priced here, especially if you get into the Central Hawkes Bay region where you can get the acreage and home for $300+.I could go on and on, but I do wonder- why aren't you heading here? :nice1

[Nicola]

We did and we are and loving every minuter of living in Havelock North.

[Xaviera]

Sipping Tuki wine opposite the vineyard at the Te Mata cheese factory munching on an antipasto platter... mmmm.... :)

[willsken]

Here and loving every minute of it!! :clap :clap I think Hawke's Bay is the most beautiful place to live. I love the landscape. :yes

[james the mechanic]

I also love Hawke’s Bay :D

People often ask me, why did you choose Hawke’s Bay? I always answer, Have you ever been there? Their answer has to date always been a resounding NO. I genuinely believe that if you spend time in the Bay you’ll understand and thus would never ask the question.

I think people move to Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch for work opportunities; people move to the Bay for lifestyle. With a population of approximately 150K it’s large enough to have the atmosphere other regions lack (IMHO); but small enough, to not feel overpopulated.

I can thus totally vouch for every word of Lupins ‘review’ so why aren’t you heading there?

Lonely Planet guide was in trouble last year for saying about the Bay three main towns…
HAVELOCK NORTH
“Five kilometres southeast of Hastings’ rural toil, Havelock North is a different kettle of fish (or vat of wine) altogether. Range Rovers and BMWs cruise the streets as bleached-blonde 50-something wine wives sip lattes in a prosperous village atmosphere. The towering backdrop of Te Mata Peak keeps egos in check.”
HASTINGS
“Hastings is a utilitarian agricultural town with tractors on the streets and little of the chutzpah Napier manifests so readily. A random scene: a shirtless young renegade drives his ember-red utility around and around Hastings’ main block, The Doors’ Light My Fire stuck on repeat, blaring from open windows, an unlit cigarette dangling from his lip… The question is, will Hastings light your fire?”
NAPIER
“A dignified, sunny, composed city, there’s the air of an affluent English seaside resort about the place. The focus rests squarely on Napier’s urban virtues: its much-vaunted Art Deco architecture is milked for every tourist dollar, while good-looking middle-agers who’ve had too much sun glide between cool cafés.”

I know you don’t agree with their take on Hastings Luppin, It’s not the gospel, more of a caricature of the Bay, only more accurate than that. Absolutely your right, Havelock North is most UK emigrants utopia, if the Bay had a US style license plate slogan it could be ‘Hawke’s Bay – why aren’t you there?’

I also, could go on and on, and probably will:nice1
James

[Andy-Dee]

But what about ski-ing?? How far and how good?

[Moorf]

.. and what are the beaches like?

Property prices?

Always had one eye on that area... but, you know, North Island and all that :D

[Kim39]

Hey Lupin, you on the Hawkes Bay tourists board comission list or what:confused: ...lol.

Been there a few times and must admit the weather apart from anything else is wonderful. Only a few weeks back i was down there and coming down SH5 the temp was a cool 12 degress, but as soon as we hit the otherside of the ranges it was climbing into the 20's, bit hot for the footie that i was going to play in, but all the same very nice.


Kim

[Anita & Marco]

Hi Lupin,

Yes, the Hawke's Bay has always appealed to us as well - and we know all those great reason to be there.

Only one slight problem though: how do you earn a living over there? since we still would need to pay a mortgage, buy food etc.

Anyone ideas on this one?

Thanks,
anita

[willsken]

Become a teacher! (Helps having an OH who's a builder and judging by the amount of building going on, people are moving here) :D

[Sam B]

Yeah yeah yeah - all you smug Hawkes Bay people - heard it all before (and I'm NOT jealous AT ALL!!!)

[Lupin]

But what about ski-ing?? How far and how good?

Ruapehu is the nearest proper ski field. It's the centre of NI and would take a bit less than 3 hrs from Hawkes Bay. Plenty of people head over for weekends (and even for the day!) in the ski season :)

http://www.mtruapehu.com/

[Lupin]

.. and what are the beaches like?

Property prices?

Always had one eye on that area... but, you know, North Island and all that

Napier beach is less good, if you like to actually get in the water (and get back out, lol). But the bay has many, many beaches, including Ocean Beach,
http://www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/parks/beaches/ocean.jpg

Waimarama,

http://hastingsdc.preview.intergen.net.nz/images/Beach.jpg

Kairakau,
http://www.centralhawkesbay.co.nz/images/beach.jpg
Mangakuri and then the further ones Aramoana (with the Te Angiangi Marine Reserve (http://www.centralhawkesbay.co.nz/discover_te_angiangi.shtml)- my husband swam over a ray while snorkelling there!), Pourerere, Blackhead, Porangahau. Here's a link to the main CHB (http://www.centralhawkesbay.co.nz/discover_beaches.shtmlhttp://) ones and then there are several beauts north of Napier and south of those I've listed. They vary from black shingle to gorgeous fluffy sand, from sheltered swimming spots to drag-you-out and drown-you rip tides!

And as for property prices- as I mentioned, it was a plus factor for us because the home ownership dream of the modest immigrant is still doable. The minted immigrant is in paradise here :laugh

Here's a link to what $300K or more will get you in Central Hawkes Bay (where my heart is)

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/CategoryAttributeSearchResults.aspx?search=1&mcat=0350-5748-&sidebar=1&132=PROPERTY&selected135=32&selected136=&134=5&135=32&136=&153=&29=&122=0&122=0&49=300000&49=0&x=44&y=13

and one to what the same will get you in Hastings district

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/CategoryAttributeSearchResults.aspx?search=1&mcat=0350-5748-&sidebar=1&132=PROPERTY&selected135=32&selected136=&134=5&135=30&136=&153=&29=&122=0&122=0&49=300000&49=0&x=54&y=16

and same in Napier district

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/CategoryAttributeSearchResults.aspx?search=1&mcat=0350-5748-&sidebar=1&132=PROPERTY&selected135=30&selected136=&134=5&135=31&136=&153=&29=&122=0&122=0&49=300000&49=0&x=76&y=17

If you're not familiar with trademe, use the 'sort by' drop down scroll to organise the property by 'lowest price' or 'highest price' etc.

PS No I don't work in the tourism industry!! I work in a small school that I hope remains small as long as my kids attend, but I hate the 'last one in draw up the ladder' attitude.

I've found paradise and it has plenty of room for a few more .....

[incredible hulse]

Love Hawkes Bay area but unfortunately same problem as Anita - no work for me to pay the bills, mortgage, kids things, pension, etc. If the lottery comes up I'll bare it in mind though ;)

[Carey]

Become a teacher! (Helps having an OH who's a builder and judging by the amount of building going on, people are moving here) :D

I am a teacher and would LOVE to come and work and live in the area, if only I would be offered a job! Now then, back to those application forms......

[holland]

Lupin, You have made my day starting this thread, just what I needed to cheer me up when I am up on a Sunday at such a silly time as I forgot about the clocks going back!!

We arrive in the bay on the 24th November.......CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!

I'm soooooo exitied:raebanana

J xxx

[willsken]

Yeah yeah yeah - all you smug Hawkes Bay people - heard it all before (and I'm NOT jealous AT ALL!!!)

:D :D

[incredible hulse]

[LIST]
Property: and lots of developments are springing up on the outskirts like this one (http://www.tukituki.co.nz/index.html)

Very nice and was interested until I saw it was 600k for a 1/2 acre section :exit

[Leccy-Lee]

Stop it, Stop it, Stop it wont you !!!! GGRRRR :mad:

(only kidding) But seriously after spending a weekend up there visiting Nicola and family it was sure a wonderful area. And having been in Welly for 3 months with its climate i do daily wonder why i am living here (theres some great days, but also many very bad days!) no actually i know why i am living here. As others have said it seemed easier to find work down here, although i have since seen many jobs etc elsewhere.

Ah well, give it time i am only renting so the world one day will be my oyster :exit

[willsken]

(only kidding) But seriously after spending a weekend up there visiting Nicola and family it was sure a wonderful area.

Lovely isn't it Lee! Once all the qualifications are sorted I'd bet there'd be loads of work round the Bay for you. :yes

[bob_the_engineer]

It’s so weird isn’t it!

I’ve been about a bit now so I know the north island quite well, and I have to agree that I don’t understand why hawkes bay isn’t packed.

I can only say that it won’t last, eventually more and more people will move there, and the entire thing is going to snowball.

The climate is bizarre, but possibly the oddest thing is it’s so played down. When your in the bay, the national weather may tell you that its 21c outside but the thermometer is closer to 30c…..

I say the climate is bizarre (so its most of NZ’s climate, its almost possible to have rain on one side of the street and sunshine on the other) but hawkes bays climate is particularly weird, especially from someone’s point of view who is now used to the Wellington weather.

I’ve driven from Welly (a city, which to be fair I do love) and headed for hawkes bay. Its about 4 hours, and you go from a 16c on an overcast spring day to MY GOD WHERS MY HAT AND SHORTS! How it can be 16c just 300km (186m) from 28c is strange.

I particularly love the way it rains in hawkes bay, talk about fury, it does this

sunshine, sunshine, sunshine, sunshine, sunshine, sunshine, sunshine, sunshine ok lets dump all the rain right NOW sunshine, sunshine, sunshine lol.

The other really special thing about hawkes bay is the people, I think bright weather just produces happier people who spend their time outside, but they are a particularly friendly bunch.

As for me well I couldn’t work outside a big city in the UK (I have an unusual job) so there isn’t much hope for me when it comes to living in a low population area in NZ. I eventually accepted that, but I left with a good knowledge of the best place to go for some sunshine (and made a few friends on the way) :) .


All I can say is take Lupin’s advice, and if you can go there, then do. If your sat in the UK with a pin and a map of NZ just go to the bay, if you get to stay that’s cool, if not well its one hell of an introduction to NZ.

Bob :nice1

[willsken]

I particularly love the way it rains in hawkes bay, talk about fury, it does this

sunshine, sunshine, sunshine, sunshine, sunshine, sunshine, sunshine, sunshine ok lets dump all the rain right NOW sunshine, sunshine, sunshine lol.

The other really special thing about hawkes bay is the people, I think bright weather just produces happier people who spend their time outside, but they are a particularly friendly bunch.

Bob :nice1

Oh boy, can the rain come down! I decided to brave it and run across the road in one down pour. I was soaked to the skin and my shoes were squelching! I've never been so wet crossing the road in my life! :D Fun though!!

About the happy people. I'm now one of them. I can't remember a time in my life, ever, being so content and happy.:nice1

[vixxann]

I'm going to be controversial now and say that I had great expectations for Hawkes Bay but found (apart from the weather) we were a little disappointed.

It has to be said I think we'd need to spend longer than we did to get a more realistic view and I do believe there would be much more to see - so don't get me wrong I'm not putting it down in fact I'm reading this thread with much interest as I'd love to be persuaded!!

We drove over from Taupo on a fantastic amazing spectacular road with stunning views but then after we came down through the hills and approached the bay .. the road to Naper was a little depressing, scruffy and industrialish. We got lost trying to find top ten site in Napier so drove round quite a bit and found a lot of "poor" areas that just looked run down and like bad suburbs (in my personal opinion). The top ten site itself was fantastic and had great views of Hospital hill which looked nice. Napier town centre is unique with art deco etc etc beach very pebbly but nice. Definately not wow.

Drove down to Hastings - which I much prefered - and the countryside around there was very nice.. vineyards, mountains backdrops etc.

Where does "Hawkes Bay" end and finish? Where are most people refering to when they discuss H.Bay?

Is it generally classed as rural - towns/ cities not that big etc?

As I say - still not ruled it out and we may yet just stick a pin in as someone said :D

[Andy-Dee]

I don't know why we decided to visit Hawkes Bay on our recce - and we even considered cancelling the few days we spent there as we felt we needed more time in Wellington. But we went - and we loved it!

We are set on Christchurch for now but keep getting called back to Hawkes bay because we liked it so much.

Nearer the time we will investigate work options to see if its a viable option - either way I really liked it and plan to revisit.

Interestingly the only blot on the landscape was Winstones Aggregates and it turns out OH is a relative of theirs.

[incredible hulse]

.. the road to Naper was a little depressing, scruffy and industrialish. We got lost trying to find top ten site in Napier so drove round quite a bit and found a lot of "poor" areas that just looked run down and like bad suburbs (in my personal opinion).

Have to agree with you; was disappointed in a lot of Napier and gave the impression of being a pretty rough area in parts. Also can't say I felt too impressed by Hastings and have heard some very interesting stories on there from a guy at work (he lived for 30years+ and probably not what you'd call a model citizen) which leads me to think it's not all a bed of roses.

All that said some of the countryside and smaller town/villages around these towns and around vineyards and the beaches to the south are cracking; if I was in a trade or job that didn't require contact with "big" business it would be somewhere I'd definitely consider (although I suspect Central Otago would probably trump it)

[Lupin]

I'm going to be controversial now and say that I had great expectations for Hawkes Bay but found (apart from the weather) we were a little disappointed.

It has to be said I think we'd need to spend longer than we did to get a more realistic view and I do believe there would be much more to see - so don't get me wrong I'm not putting it down in fact I'm reading this thread with much interest as I'd love to be persuaded!!

We drove over from Taupo on a fantastic amazing spectacular road with stunning views but then after we came down through the hills and approached the bay .. the road to Naper was a little depressing, scruffy and industrialish. We got lost trying to find top ten site in Napier so drove round quite a bit and found a lot of "poor" areas that just looked run down and like bad suburbs (in my personal opinion). The top ten site itself was fantastic and had great views of Hospital hill which looked nice. Napier town centre is unique with art deco etc etc beach very pebbly but nice. Definately not wow.

Drove down to Hastings - which I much prefered - and the countryside around there was very nice.. vineyards, mountains backdrops etc.

Where does "Hawkes Bay" end and finish? Where are most people refering to when they discuss H.Bay?

Is it generally classed as rural - towns/ cities not that big etc?

As I say - still not ruled it out and we may yet just stick a pin in as someone said :D

How long were you here?

This is the problem with 'recce' trips, imo. you don't get to scratch the surface. A couple of less good holiday days and Hawkes Bay is written off :uhoh

I speak from living here for nearly 10 months. In my first few days here I would have said 'what a dump'. In fact, I cried on day one.

Don't form an opinion of somewhere based on a whistle stop couple of days tour where you never get off the beaten track (unless you get lost in the less appealing suburbs, which EVERY town and city has). Listen to the people who live in and love or hate an area. I can easily tell you the things friends who are not happy here hate about the area, but they just don't apply to me and mine. We came here to live, not be tourists and on balance, the Bay has an incredible 'lifestyle' going on :cheers

[silvo]

Must agree with Lupin, having spoke to Kiwi's - Hawkes bay or Nelson have the best climates. Both over 2,300 hours of sunshine per year - almost double the 1,500 hours we used to get back in Southport, UK. Also unusual in that there are 3 towns (the locals call them cities) you can pick between - Napier (nice seaside art deco resort), Hastings - bigger town inland with market/agricultural links, or Havelock North - more like an English village, complete with replica English pub. Also only 2 hours from Taupo or 3 to Rotorua or the Ski fields in the winter.

The downside as mentioned is not alot of industry for job opportunities, OK for me and my wife as we are in the health sector and Hastings has a fairly large regional hospital, otherwise Watties are a big employer, followed by the usual agricultural sector plus the wine industry - these jobs can be seasonal though.

Some of our colleagues drive over from Palmerston North (2 hours drive) and arrrive with winter woolies on - while we bask in sunshine and mid 20's temperatures - weird weather zones here, but we seem to be protected by the mountain range keeping the wet and windy stuff at bay!

Regards Neil & Co.

[willsken]

Not sure how Napier gives the impression of being rough. I know there are a few places I wouldn't choose to live but the vast, vast majority of Napier is beautiful. I'd love to have lived there if we had a bit more money (refuse to be saddled with a big mortgage).

Perhaps you were very unlucky in the bits you got to see. :confused: I know what it is!! My standards just aren't as high as I'd always thought!!:D :D

[Moorf]

Don't form an opinion of somewhere based on a whistle stop couple of days tour where you never get off the beaten track (unless you get lost in the less appealing suburbs, which EVERY town and city has). Listen to the people who live in and love or hate an area.

Absolutely!!

I've come to love places that I'd previously said "don't take me THERE again" to (except Timaru - there's something about me and Timaru.. and I've been back to double check... :uhoh ) but you just can't base the places here on a flying visit. I find it's because they're not "familiar" in their make-up and layout, not like British towns/cities/suburbs, so initial reaction is often negative.

Plus, and this may just be me, but the "bad" areas are often just poor housing and low incomes and I personally feel they aren't all as crime-ridden as the high population "bad" areas in the UK, it's just a level/type of poverty that you don't see much of in the UK. Yep, they're scruffy and not as safe as the "nice" areas but they're still mainly made up of detached houses with distance between them and not dark alleys and dodgy basement flats ;) so less ominous... know what I mean? :confused:

[Lupin]

Was chatting today to a couple who moved to Waipawa 2 1/2 yrs ago and run a second hand furniture shop and she confessed that when her husband (who had come out a couple of months ahead of her) first drove her to Waipawa she cried and cried. Now she *loves* the place, waxes lyrical about Central Hawkes Bay lifestyle and can't believe her good fortune to be here :)

She also told me that 70 people a week are currently moving into the Bay, so perhaps we need to scrap this thread now because I don't want to share paradise with *everyone* :uhoh

Move on folks; there's nothing special about Hawkes Bay. It rains endlessly and there are no beaches. The people are practically hostile and property prices sky-high.

:laugh

[Sam B]

Ha ha - too late, another million people have just booked to move into paradise and it's ALL DOWN TO THIS THREAD!!!!!

[incredible hulse]

She also told me that 70 people a week are currently moving into the Bay, so perhaps we need to scrap this thread now because I don't want to share paradise with *everyone* :uhoh

Move on folks; there's nothing special about Hawkes Bay. It rains endlessly and there are no beaches. The people are practically hostile and property prices sky-high.

:laugh

:laugh
You'd better be careful as it'll be full of Poms (seems the Kiwis are actually leaving the place and all heading to Christchurch (or more likely Oz ;) ) if this is to be believed http://www.stats.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/8F1B57F7-B4C1-40D1-A2C0-67E9877E9636/0/Table1401.xls

[james the mechanic]

Maybe there not all leaving of their own free will...:laugh

Judge takes plenty of prisoners
MARTY SHARPE - The Dominion Post | Thursday, 1 November 2007
Even when you're a judge, some days you just wish you'd stayed in bed.
Those appearing in Napier District Court yesterday will be wishing he had too.
By the end of proceedings, Judge Tony Adeane had sentenced two young mothers to prison - one whose baby was just three days old - put a graffiti vandal in custody, ordered a man arrested for disrupting court, and put that man's mother into custody when she tried arguing.
Nearly all who came before him got a dressing-down and, by lunchtime, those still to enter the dock looked worried.
Some chattered nervously - and were promptly ordered by the judge to keep quiet.
The first indication of things to come was when Napier graffiti vandal Randall Gray, 19, was put into custody on two charges of intentional damage and one of theft after pleading guilty to tagging the Taradale skatebowl and several houses and businesses.
Judge Adeane said Taradale was a place where "people value orderliness and tidiness and they don't see anything fashionable about writing on the walls. People find it thoroughly culturally obnoxious.
"The huge majority is not going to have its environment dictated to by a bunch of clowns."
He opted to take a couple of days to consult his colleagues before deciding how to deal with Gray. In the meantime, he would stay in "uncomfortable conditions" behind bars.
A short time later, Brenda Keil - three days after giving birth to her third child - was sentenced to two months in prison for shoplifting and breaching community work.
Judge Adeane said Keil, 21, had "grotesquely thought she would not be sent to prison because she had young children".
He then reeled off a long list of prior offending. He said he regretted putting anyone with young children in jail, but Keil had left the court no option.
Her 19-year-old partner in crime, Destiny Gerbes, who has two children under three, was given four months in prison for the same offences.
"Ms Gerbes has a cavalier attitude to community responsibilities, including her children. You ... take the attitude that `I've got a couple of babies, no one's going to do anything to me' ... and that's where you've made your mistake," the judge said.
Gerbes' friend Cedric Ratima yelled out, "You're a f...ing egg" and was arrested.
He was held in custody till later in the day, when he was made to say sorry to the entire court.
The judge deemed his first attempt half-hearted, so ordered him to try again - this time to say he was very sorry.
Ratima's mother, Alicia Teau, then piped up, saying her son had already apologised.
Judge Adeane hauled her into the dock to explain herself. Unable to do so to his satisfaction, she joined her son in custody. Both later apologised sincerely and were freed.

Luppins right, there’s northing to see in the bay, & she hasn’t even mentioned the crime, traffic, pollution, corruption or the current civil unrest in the bay right now. You really should just steer clear.:D

[Albertz]

We did and we are and loving every minuter of living in Havelock North.

Ditto, paradise found :nice1

[Andy&Carol]

Oh James, I can hardly see to type I've laughed so much at the court proceedings I've got tears in my eyes! I LOVE that judge, we need at least one like him in every court!

C

[John Z]

Please all, get yourselves to Hawkes Bay! It's a great place to be and a wonderfull place to live. Just take a look at this picture, under the smudged print it reads "Napier Hawkes Bay" and of course Aotearoa under it. But you all know Hawkes Bay is in Aotearoa, isn't it?

Cheers, John.

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2672/smudgedaotearoakopiezj5.th.jpg (http://img89.imageshack.us/my.php?image=smudgedaotearoakopiezj5.jpg)

[Lupin]

John- that's such a cryptic post!

Anyone else lost?

[John Z]

John- that's such a cryptic post!

Anyone else lost?

I thought I was showing you the way. Or wasn't I? :yes

[Lupin]

But that's in the Waikato ... hours and hours from here!

I'm an intelligent woman, but I don't really understand your post. Please explain.

[Sam B]

I'm a bit puzzled too.....

[John Z]

Ahum, OK, let's see...

First your Hawkes Bay advertising seemed very appealing. When, however, all the contradictary information came I thought: they have a point!

But...

in the meantime we were negotiating our future house AND we came to an agreement.

So...

there I was: very happy with the new home, but also "worried" that advertising my happiness could "change rural living into urban"...

Therefore...

I decided to join in in the advertising for Hawkes Bay

And

at the same time show the "happy view" from the front door of our new house ("suggesting" it's Hawkes Bay...)

Of course it can be nowhere near Hawkes Bay, but still it's a happy view...

:clap :clap Go Hawkes Bay !!! :clap :clap

[Lupin]

LOL, John! There isn't any contradictory information. However, the Bay isn't for everyone ... hardcore urbanites and socialites would die of boredom here! Also there is a certain *something* about the Bay that people here either adore and feel endeared toward or neither and leave.

Certainly here in Central Hawkes Bay you step back in time and that is a double edged sword, no doubt about it. My husband survives here thanks to the internet because music is his passion and most Bay-dwellers seem to still rate the likes of Guns n' Roses, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson etc, which is why we never ever go to the pub and why my dh can be spotted in pakn'save with his MP3 player on.

[John Z]

We've investigated several places on the North Island, Hawkes bay was one of them, and I think in the end it seemed very simple: where ever you decide to live in New Zealand, you have a place where there is beauty (at least) around the corner. What felt very strange to me in Napier was the small number of restaurants. We love Indian "cuisine" and the one around the corner from Marine parade (I think it was Browning street, but I'm not sure) was (let's face it) pretty bad: the food ,the staff and the restaurant itself...

But nevertheless, what's in a restaurant...

Hawkes Bay has it folks!

[John Z]

Did you hear the latest from Tina Turner (also available on MP3)?

#If you're here to stay?
You stay in Hawkes Bay!#

:raebanana

[Lupin]

We've investigated several places on the North Island, Hawkes bay was one of them, and I think in the end it seemed very simple: where ever you decide to live in New Zealand, you have a place where there is beauty (at least) around the corner. What felt very strange to me in Napier was the small number of restaurants. We love Indian "cuisine" and the one around the corner from Marine parade (I think it was Browning street, but I'm not sure) was (let's face it) pretty bad: the food ,the staff and the restaurant itself...


The food scene here tends to be dominated by the wineries, which is a very pleasant dining experience *indeed* in the summer, but not seen an Indian style winery! There's a lovely Thai on Havelock Road coming out of Hastings for the more pricey end a cheaper one in Havelock that does the scrummiest scallops and cashew nuts :drool: I'm not a huge Indian food lover but Thai food is just my thing :cheers

In general though, unless you're well off enough to enjoy the winery culture, I'm not convinced Hawkes Bay is for the foodie or the Hard-core Urbanite; IE the person who enjoys the benefits of big city living.