80th Hawke's Bay Earthquake Commemorations

On 3 February 1931, Hastings and the wider Hawke’s Bay region were devastated by a massive earthquake.

There were 93 lives lost in Hastings as buildings such as the Cosy Theatre and Roach’s Ltd collapsed.

Eighty years later, survivors, families of survivors and all Hastings residents are invited to commemorate the earthquake on 3 February and remember those lost or affected by it.

Councillor Kevin Watkins says the loss and devastation of that day led to a great deal of growth, a strengthening of community spirit and, of course, a whole new look for the region’s buildings.

“To this day we can see the evidence of that disaster in the Spanish Mission and Art Deco architecture around Hawke’s Bay. Many local families also have stories of near escapes or losses passed down from their grandparents and great-grandparents.”

“On Thursday, February 3 we will again gather at the Clock Tower to remember all those whose lives were lost and those that changed forever exactly 80 years before,” Cr Watkins says.

There will be a short commemoration service led by Reverend Graeme Pilgrim of St Matthews starting at 10.30am prompt, followed by a flyover and display by vintage planes and a speech by Hawke’s Bay Today editor Antony Phillips on the role played by the Hawke’s Bay Tribune and the destruction the newspaper suffered directly.

In the CBD there will be vintage cars of the era, a traction engine and a display about the earthquake and how it was reported around the world.