Public invited to remember the day that changed Hawke's Bay

One minute of violent shaking that changed the face of Hawke’s Bay will be remembered in Hastings this Sunday (3rd February).

The 82nd Hawke’s Bay earthquake commemoration service will begin at the Central Mall in Heretaunga Street Hastings at 10.30am with the bell in the clock tower to ring out at 10.46am, the time that the quake struck.

The massive earthquake which struck in 1931 is the single greatest natural disaster in the region’s recorded history. 93 lives were lost in Hastings, buildings collapsed, fires broke out and roads were destroyed.

Mayor Lawrence Yule says “The 1931 earthquake demolished much of the Hastings town centre. The past 82 years has brought many changes, but we will never forget the day when the bricks and mortar of our city fell. Our citizens united at that time with a determination to rebuild the city and that determination to succeed lives on today.”

District Councillor Kevin Watkins says “Out of the loss and devastation which came to the city on that fateful day in 1931 came new growth, a strengthening of community spirit and the rebuild which produced a whole new look to our CBD.”

“It is fitting that we will again gather to remember those who lost their lives and those whose lives were changed forever as a result of the Hawke’s Bay earthquake,” Mr Watkins says.

Pipers from the Hastings City Pipe Band will walk from each end of the CBD and then lead the dignitaries onto the stage where Councillor Watkins will introduce Kaumatua and then invite Mayor Lawrence Yule to speak.

Survivors, families of survivors and all Hastings residents are invited to attend the earthquake commemoration service, which will begin at 10.30am on Sunday February 3rd at the Central Mall near the clock tower.