Hastings District – 2010 statistical profile
General population, economic, employment, housing and education statistics
General
Hastings District is a geographically large territorial authority situated on the coast of
Hawke Bay on the eastern side of the North Island. Bounded to the east by ocean and by
Napier City, Hastings District has four other territorial authority neighbours – Wairoa
District to the north, Taupo District to the north-west, Rangitikei District to the west and
Central Hawke’s Bay District to the south.
Population
2006 – The 2006 Population Census recorded a resident population of 70,840 in Hastings
District – a 5.1% increase on the 2001 usually-resident total. While this was smaller
growth than the 7.8% national increase, it followed a much smaller 1.7% increase in
population in the district between the 1996 and 2001 censuses.
The 41 area units making up Hastings District are listed below in numerical order, along
with their 1996 and 2001 usually-resident totals. In 2006, the Akina area unit continued
in its role as the district’s most populous (with 4,290 residents), followed by Raureka and
Mayfair (4,170 each), and Flaxmere East (3,900). Those four area units each contained
6% of the district’s population.
Between 2001 and 2006, the largest numerical growth occurred in Te Mata, with around
1,290 additional residents. The next largest increases were recorded in Clive (230),
Mahora (220), Sherenden-Puketapu (210) and Havelock Hills (200). Proportionately, Te
Mata’s growth was the largest (73% between 2001 and 2006), followed by Havelock
Hills (37%) and Waimarama (20%).
2009 – The latest estimate from Statistics New Zealand is that in mid-2009, the resident
population of Hastings District stood at 74,300.
2011, 2021 and 2031 – Statistics New Zealand projects that Hastings District’s
population will increase to 75,400 by 2011, 78,800 by 2021 and 81,100 by 2031.1
Sex
In 2006, females made up 51% of Hastings District’s population, outnumbering males by
around 1,960. Males outnumbered females in all age groups under 25, but from that age
females were in the majority. Large differences were recorded among people in their 30s
(490 more women than men) and people in their 40s (a difference of 530). However, the
largest difference occurred among the district’s oldest residents, with women aged 80
years and over outnumbering their male counterparts by around 760.
1
These population projections assume medium rates of fertility, mortality and migration.
Usually-resident population of Hastings District area units,
1996, 2001 and 2006
1996
2001
2006
Akina
4,167
4,311
4,293
Raureka
3,891
4,173
4,173
Mayfair
3,960
4,032
4,170
Flaxmere East
3,978
3,861
3,903
Mahora
3,501
3,543
3,765
Havelock North Central
2,898
3,021
3,087
Parkvale
2,988
3,012
3,057
Te Mata
1,548
1,752
3,039
Kingsley-Chatham
3,153
2,967
2,952
Lochain
2,835
2,769
2,949
Hastings Central
2,970
2,946
2,925
Iona
2,580
2,661
2,841
St Leonards
2,784
2,763
2,793
Sherenden-Puketapu
1,923
2,226
2,433
Haumoana
2,121
2,169
2,202
Camberley
2,091
1,965
1,992
Clive
1,377
1,350
1,581
Frimley
1,458
1,407
1,524
Anderson Park
1,518
1,497
1,497
Poukawa
1,299
1,212
1,302
957
1,083
1,143
Bridge Pa
1,014
1,068
1,101
Twyford
1,068
1,098
1,068
Waimarama
813
849
1,020
Karamu
924
981
966
Te Mata Hills
870
912
939
Longlands South
846
882
921
Whakatu
843
834
843
Havelock Hills
486
546
750
Pakipaki
651
642
663
Tangoio
540
618
660
Tutira
720
708
648
Pakowhai
603
615
594
Eskdale
570
573
585
Irongate
465
465
540
Brookvale
519
495
528
Omahu
432
423
408
Waiohiki
264
306
342
Puketitiri
324
357
336
Whanawhana
279
285
249
42
48
45
66,279
67,425
70,839
Maraekakaho
Woolwich
Total
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
Ethnic diversity
Hastings’ population is less ethnically diverse than the country as a whole. At the 2006
Census, 67% of the district’s residents identified as “European” – similar to the 68%
nationally. In addition, 12% of people specified “New Zealander” as their ethnic group
(11% nationwide).
Ethnic group (excluding "European" and "New Zealander"), 2006:
All New Zealand and Hastings District
Percent of
resident population
30
All New Zealand
Hastings District
25
20
15
10
5
0
Māori
Pacific Peoples
Asian
Other
Ethnic group
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
Compared with their national proportion, Māori had a considerably higher-than-average
representation in Hastings (24% compared with 15%). However, most other ethnic
groups were far less well represented, with Pacific peoples making up 5% of the district’s
population and Asian people just 3% (7% and 9% respectively across New Zealand).2
Other smaller ethnic groups were present in the district at around their national level of
1%.
Hastings’ youth population is more ethnically diverse than the district’s population as a
whole. In 2006, around one-third of 12-14, 15-19 and 20-24 year-olds identified as
Māori, and 7% or 8% of each age group identified with Pacific ethnic groups.
Overseas born
In 2006, just 14% of Hastings’ residents were overseas born compared with 23%
nationally. New Zealand’s most common overseas birthplace – the UK and Ireland –
accounted for 5% of the district’s residents compared with 7% nationally. Asia and the
Pacific Islands were the most under-represented overseas birthplaces, with each
accounting for 2% of Hastings residents compared with 7% and 4% nationally.
Age groups
Hastings has a slightly older population than the country as a whole, with a median age of
36 years in 2006 compared with 35 across New Zealand. The district has a higher-thanaverage proportion of children in its population (24% were aged under 15 in 2006
2
Percentages total more than 100 because an individual can identify with more than one ethnic group and
all are counted.
compared with 22% nationally). However, young adults were under-represented, with 1529 year-olds making up 18% of residents compared with 20% across New Zealand. Other
age groups differed little from the country as a whole. Around one-fifth (21%) of
Hastings’ population was aged 30-44 in 2006, 20% were 45-59, 11% were aged 60-74
and 6% were 75 or older.
Age distribution, 2006:
All New Zealand and Hastings District
Percent of
resident population
30
All New Zealand
Hastings District
25
20
15
10
5
0
0-14
15-29
30-44
45-59
60-74
75+
Age group (years)
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
The 2006 Census recorded around 17,100 children under the age of 15 years living in
Hastings District:
 5,230 children under 5 years
 5,810 aged 5 - 9, and
 6,060 aged 10 - 14.
Families
In 2006, Hastings District was home to around 18,760 families3 living in private
dwellings, of which around 9,630 (51%) contained dependent children.
In the Census, a family is defined by the presence, in one household, of a “family nucleus” (a couple, or
parent(s) and child(ren)). Child dependency is not a component of the definition. This means that a 90 yearold woman living with her 60 year-old daughter, who does not have children of her own in the same
household, would be classified as “one parent with children”.
3
Families by type, 2006:
All New Zealand and Hastings District
Percent of families
45
All New Zealand
40
Hastings District
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Couple w ithout children
Couple w ith child(ren)
One parent w ith child(ren)
Family type
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
Couples with children were the most numerous family type in the district, at 7,580
families (including 6,450 with dependent children). Couples with children made up 40%
of the district’s families, a slightly lower proportion than the 42% nationwide. Families of
this type were most numerous in Raureka (440), Mayfair and Akina (410 each),
Sherenden-Puketapu and Flaxmere East (370 each), and Mahora (350). Havelock North
Central, Parkvale, Iona and Te Mata were also each home to more than 300 couples with
children.
Couples without children numbered around 7,220 and made up 38% of the district’s total
compared with 40% nationally. The largest numbers of couples without children lived in
Havelock North Central (450), Te Mata and Iona (420 each), Akina (380), and Mayfair
and Raureka (360 each). Another three area units (Parkvale, Mahora and Hastings
Central) were home to 300 or more couples without children.
Sole-parent families made up 21% of Hastings’ families (18% nationwide). In 2006, they
numbered 3,970 families (including 3,150 with dependent children). Hastings’ soleparent families were most likely to live in Flaxmere East (330), Akina (320), Mayfair
(300), Kingsley-Chatham (290), Raureka (280), Mahora (260) and Lochain (250).
Statistics New Zealand projects the number of couples without children in Hastings
District to increase steadily, reaching 8,900 in 2011, 10,700 by 2021 and 11,700 by 2031.
At that stage, couples without children are likely to make up 52% of Hastings families. In
contrast, two-parent families are projected to decrease in number, from 7,700 in 2011 to
6,700 by 2021 and 6,000 by 2031. One-parent families are expected to increase slightly
in number (4,600 in 2011, 4,700 in 2021 and 5,000 in 2031).
Household composition
In 2006, there were around 25,160 private households in Hastings District. The
distribution of household types was very similar to nationally. Around 70% were one-
family households, 24% contained just one person, 4% were ‘other multi-person
households’ (the majority of which would be flats containing unrelated people), and the
final 3% were multi-family households.
Economic Situation
Socio-economic deprivation
The NZDep2006 index of deprivation4 shows that, overall, Hastings District is more
socio-economically deprived than New Zealand as a whole. Across the country, roughly
equal numbers of people live in areas at each of the 10 levels of deprivation. This means
that at the time of the last Census, 50% of the New Zealand population lived in decile 1
to 5 areas (the less deprived areas in the country). At that time, areas in those deciles
contained 43% of Hastings District’s population.
The profile below shows an under-representation of Hastings’ population at the left-hand
(least deprived) end of the deprivation scale and an over-representation towards the right.
In 2006, either 8% or 9% of the district’s population lived in areas in each decile from 1
to 5. There was a clustering of the district’s population in the highest decile, with 16%
living in areas assessed as decile 10 (i.e. among the 10% most socio-economically
deprived in the country).
NZDep profile of Hastings District, 2006
Number of people
12,000
11,355
10,000
8,646
7,995
8,000
7,071
6,474
6,039
5,949
6,075
6,000
5,763
5,508
4,000
2,000
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Decile of deprivation
Source: NZDep 2006 Index of Deprivation
4
Salmond C, Crampton P, Atkinson J, NZDep 2006 Index of Deprivation. The NZDep2006 index of
deprivation was created from data from the 2006 Census of Population and Dwellings. The index describes
the deprivation experienced by groups of people in small areas. Nine deprivation variables were used in the
construction of the index, reflecting eight dimensions of deprivation. The variables used were the
proportions of people: aged 18-64 receiving a means-tested benefit; living in households with income
below an income threshold adjusted for household size; not living in own home; aged less than 65 living in
a single-parent family; aged 18-64 unemployed; aged 18-64 without any qualifications; living in
households below a bedroom occupancy threshold adjusted for household size; with no access to a
telephone; and with no access to a car.
Although the process of averaging can mask some substantial variation in deprivation
among small areas, it can be useful to look at average deprivation statistics for census
area units. In Hastings District, four area units (Flaxmere East, Kingsley-Chatham,
Lochain, and Camberley) had an average deprivation score of 10, putting them among the
10% most deprived areas in New Zealand. Four more area units (Akina, Raureka,
Hastings Central, and Anderson Park) had an average deprivation score of 9, while
another five area units all averaged 8. At the other end of the scale, three area units
(Havelock North Central, Te Mata Hills and Havelock Hills) averaged out as decile 1
(among the 10% least socio-economically deprived in the country). Eight area units had
an average deprivation score of 2.
Personal income
In 2006, Hastings District residents aged 15 years and over had a lower median personal
income than New Zealanders as a whole ($22,600 compared with $24,400). This resulted
from slightly larger proportions than nationally having incomes of $40,000 or less.
The lowest incomes of $10,000 or less were reported by 21% of Hastings adults, the
same as nationally. A larger-than-average 25% received between $10,001 and $20,000
(22% nationally), and 17% of adults had incomes between $20,001 and $30,000 (15%
nationwide). Both locally and nationally, 14% received between $30,001 and $40,000.
Local / national differences were small in the income bands above $40,000. However, in
each case, the Hastings proportion was smaller than the New Zealand-wide proportion.
Around 9% of the district’s adults had incomes between $40,001 and $50,000, another
9% received between $50,001 and $70,000, and 6% received more than $70,000.
Personal income distribution, 2006:
All New Zealand and Hastings District
Percent of people
aged 15 years and over
30
All New Zealand
Hastings District
25
20
15
10
5
0
$10,000
and under
$10,001$20,000
$20,001$30,000
$30,001$40,000
$40,001$50,000
Personal income
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
$50,001$70,000
$70,001$100,000
$100,001
and over
As might be expected, there is considerable variation in personal income across Hastings
area units. In 2006, the highest median personal incomes were recorded in Havelock Hills
($35,700), Te Mata Hills ($34,800), Waiohiki ($32,700), Brookvale ($30,900) and
Whanawhana ($30,300). Another 14 area units had median personal incomes above the
national median. Hastings’ lowest medians were recorded in Camberley ($16,200),
Kingsley-Chatham ($17,600), Flaxmere East ($18,400), Omahu ($18,500) and Anderson
Park ($18,900).
Family income
The distribution of family income follows a similar pattern. In 2006, Hastings families
had a median income of $53,300 compared with $59,000 across New Zealand. Higherthan-average proportions of families in the district had incomes of $70,000 or less (11%
received $10,000 or less, 15% were in the $20,001-$30,000 bracket, 22% received
$30,001-$50,000 and 20% had incomes between $50,001 and $70,000). Locally, 17% of
families received between $70,001 and $100,000 (18% nationwide). The largest
difference between families in Hastings and families nationwide occurred in the highest
income bracket (16% of families in the district had incomes over $100,000 compared
with 21% of families across the country).
Family income distribution, 2006:
All New Zealand and Hastings District
Percent of families
25
All New Zealand
Hastings District
20
15
10
5
0
$20,000 or less
$20,001 - $30,000
$30,001 - $50,000
$50,001 - $70,000
$70,001 - $100,000
$100,001 or more
Family income
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
In 2006, Hastings area units showed wide variation in family incomes. By far the highest
median family income was recorded in Havelock Hills ($96,300). That was followed by
Te Mata Hills ($87,100), Eskdale ($76,300), Havelock North Central ($74,000) and
Waiohiki ($73,300). Of the district’s 41 area units, 22 recorded median family incomes
below the national median. The lowest were recorded in Kingsley-Chatham ($35,100),
Camberley ($36,000), Flaxmere East ($39,400), Anderson Park ($39,700) and Lochain
($40,500).
Income support
People aged 65 years and over
At the end of February 2010, around 9,430 Hastings District residents5 aged 65 years and
over were in receipt of New Zealand Superannuation.6 This number was 550 higher than
two years earlier. Of those New Zealand Superannuitants in 2010, 2,240 were also
receiving a Disability Allowance and around 430 were in receipt of an Accommodation
Supplement.
People aged 20 to 64 years
At the end of February 2010, almost 7,270 Hastings District residents aged 20-64 years
were in receipt of some form of income support. The largest client groups among this age
group in Hastings were:
 almost 2,230 DPB Sole Parent7 recipients (31% of the total) – around 40 more
than in February 2008
 around 1,680 Invalid’s Beneficiaries (23%) – a rise of almost 200 over the
previous two years
 just under 1,040 Non Beneficiaries8 (14%) – around 110 more than in 2008
 890 Sickness Benefit9 recipients (12%) – around 60 more than in 2008 but an
increase of around 130 on the 2009 figure
 Around 760 Unemployment Benefit10 recipients (11%) – a very large increase of
almost 710 on the number in 2008. This was the benefit type to show the largest
increase over the two years, reflecting a nationwide increase in unemployment
due to the recession.
5
The statistics included in this section have been produced by the geocoding of MSD client addresses. The
figures represent all clients who lived within Hastings District boundaries at the end of February 2008,
2009 or 2010. This method of assigning a geographic location to a client based on their address is different
from the method used to produce figures for many of the other LSM reports. These earlier reports relied on
identifying service centres within territorial authority boundaries and assigning a geographic location to
clients with claims managed in those relevant service centres.
6
New Zealand Superannuation is not income tested for recipients aged 65 years and over. Supplementary
benefits (eg Accommodation Supplement, Disability Allowance) are, however, subject to an income test, so
their receipt indicates clients with low incomes.
7
Includes DPB Sole Parent and Emergency Maintenance Allowance
8
Non Beneficiaries are low-income people who are not receiving an income-tested benefit or a pension
from Work and Income, but who do receive a Work and Income supplementary benefit (eg an
Accommodation Supplement, a Childcare Subsidy).
9
Includes Sickness Benefit and Sickness Benefit Hardship
10
Includes Unemployment Benefit and Unemployment Benefit Hardship
Income support recipients aged 20-64 years by main benefit type, end of February 2008, 2009 and 2010:
Hastings District
Number
2,500
2008
2009
2010
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
DPB Sole Parent
Invalid's Benefit
Non Beneficiary
Sickness Benefit
Unemployment Benefit
Type of benefit
Source: Ministry of Social Development
At the end of February 2010, Hastings’ income support recipients aged 20-64 years were
responsible for just over 6,640 children, of whom 4,105 lived in families receiving the
DPB Sole Parent11. Of those DPB recipients with children:
 51% had youngest children aged under 5 years
 26% had youngest children aged 5 to 9 years
 14% had youngest children aged between 10 and 13 years, and
 10% had youngest children aged 14 and over.
People aged under 20 years
At the end of February 2010, 465 Hastings District teenagers were receiving some form
of income support, including supplementary benefits. That figure was around 170 more
than in 2008.
 One-quarter (25%) of Hastings’ income support recipients aged under 20 (around
120 teenagers) were in receipt of the DPB Sole Parent.11 This was around 20 more
than in 2008.
 Almost one-quarter (23%) were receiving the Unemployment Benefit.12 That
number of almost 110 had risen hugely from fewer than five two years earlier.
 Around 70 teenagers were receiving the Sickness Benefit13 (15%) – around 10
higher than in 2008 and almost 15 more than in 2009.
 50 teenage income support recipients (11%) were in receipt of an Invalid’s
Benefit – a similar number to each of the previous two years.
 9% (40 people) were receiving the Independent Youth Benefit – twice the number
of recipients two years earlier.
 8% (almost 40 teenagers) were Non Beneficiaries – around 10 more than in 2008.
11
Includes DPB Sole Parent and Emergency Maintenance Allowance
12
Includes Unemployment Benefit and Unemployment Benefit Hardship
Includes Sickness Benefit and Sickness Benefit Hardship
13
Between them, Hastings’ teenage income support recipients had around 150 children in
February 2010, of whom 125 were in families receiving the DPB Sole Parent14.
Household facilities
In 2006, the percentages of Hastings District households with access to a telephone, the
Internet, or a vehicle were as follows.
 91% had a telephone (92% nationally)
 72% had access to a cell phone or mobile phone (74% nationally)
 56% had Internet access (61% nationwide), and
 93% had access to a motor vehicle (92% nationwide).
Hastings’ youth were less likely than their counterparts across the country to live in
households with access to the Internet. In 2006, 66% of the city’s 12-14 year-olds, 63%
of 15-19 year-olds and 48% of 20-24 year-olds had Internet access at home. Nationally
the proportions were 71%, 68% and 61% respectively.
Educational qualifications
Hastings’ adult population holds fewer qualifications than nationally. In 2006:
 31% of the district’s adults had no formal educational qualification (25%
nationwide)
 34% stated school qualifications as their highest educational attainment (35%
nationwide)
 25% held post-school certificates or diplomas (24% nationally)
 8% had a bachelor’s degree or other level 7 qualification (11% nationally), and
 3% held post-graduate qualifications (5% nationally).
Highest educational qualification, 2006:
All New Zealand and Hastings District
Percent of people
aged 15 years and over
40
All New Zealand
35
Hastings District
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
No qualification
School
qualification
Post-school
certificate
or diploma
Type of qualification
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
14
Includes DPB Sole Parent and Emergency Maintenance Allowance
Bachelor Degree
Post-graduate
Employment
At the time of the 2006 Census, around 34,870 Hastings District residents were
employed. This was 67% of the population aged 15 and over (65% nationally). Around
77% of the district’s employed residents worked full time, the same as nationally.
The 2006 Census recorded 4.5% of the Hastings District labour force as unemployed, a
slightly lower proportion than the 5.1% national average at the time. In March 2006, this
equated to 1,640 people unemployed in the district.
Hastings’ youth were more likely to be in the labour force in 2006 than their counterparts
across the country. Around 27% of 15-19 year-olds and 61% of 20-24 year-olds were
recorded as working full time by the 2006 Census, compared with 21% and 53%
respectively nationwide. Another 28% of 15-19 year-olds and 10% of 20-24 year-olds
were working part time (26% and 16% nationally). Around 9% of Hastings’ 15-19 yearolds and 8% of the 20-24 year-olds were unemployed at the time of the Census – similar
proportions to nationally.
Industry
In 2006, Hastings’ two main industries for employment were agriculture, forestry and
fishing and manufacturing. Each accounted for 15% of all employed Hastings residents.
The three next largest all employed the same proportion of workers as across New
Zealand as a whole: the retail trade (10%), health care and social assistance (9%) and
construction (8%). Education and training followed with 7% of all employed (8%
nationally). Professional, scientific and technical services accounted for 5% (8%
nationwide).
Main industries for employment, 2006:
All New Zealand and Hastings District
Industry
Professional, scientific and
technical services
Hastings District
All New Zealand
Education and training
Construction
Health care and
social assistance
Retail trade
Manufacturing
Agriculture, forestry
and fishing
0
2
4
6
8
10
Percent of employed people
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
12
14
16
18
The importance of agriculture as an employer in Hastings is also evident in the
employment of the district’s youth. In 2006, employed 15-19 year-olds in Hastings were
most likely to be working in the retail trade (25%), accommodation and food services
(16%), agriculture, forestry and fishing (15%) and manufacturing (13%). Most of those
same industries were also the main sources of employment for the district’s 20-24 yearolds: manufacturing (18%), agriculture, forestry and fishing and the retail trade (14%
each), and construction (12%).
Occupation
The distribution of occupations across Hastings District’s employed residents also
highlights the importance of agriculture to the district. Hastings has comparatively far
more labourers among its employed residents but fewer professionals. At the 2006
Census:
 labourers were the largest occupation group in the district’s population, making
up 20% of all employed (12% across the country)
 managers – the category to which farmers are allocated – accounted for 17% of
Hastings employed and 18% across New Zealand
 professionals were 16% locally and 20% nationally
 technicians and trades workers made up 12% locally (13% nationally)
 clerical and administrative workers made up 11% in the district and 13%
nationwide
 sales workers accounted for 9% of the district’s employed (10% nationally)
 community and personal service workers accounted for 8% of all employed both
in the district and nationwide
 machinery operators and drivers were also close to their national proportion (7%
versus 6%).
Occupations, 2006:
All New Zealand and Hastings District
Percent of
employed people
25
All New Zealand
Hastings District
20
15
10
5
0
Managers
Professionals
Technicians and
trades w orkers
Community and
personal service
w orkers
Clerical and
administrative
w orkers
Sales w orkers
Machinery operators
and drivers
Labourers
Occupation type
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
In 2006, labouring was the most common occupation among the district’s employed
youth, accounting for considerably higher proportions of employed than nationally.
Around 39% of Hastings’ employed 15-19 year-olds worked as labourers. That was
followed by sales work (24%), community and personal service work (11%) and
technical and trades work (10%). Labouring was the occupation of 28% of Hastings’
employed 20-24 year-olds. Technical and trades work accounted for 18%, followed by
sales work (10%).
Location of work
In the 2006 Census, around 24,180 employed Hastings District residents (83% of those
who gave an identifiable workplace address) lived and worked in the same district.
Nearby Napier City was the next most popular work location, absorbing 13% of
Hastings’ employed residents. A much smaller 1% worked in Central Hawke’s Bay
District.
Main locations of employment for Hastings District residents,
2006
Location of employment
Hastings District
Napier City
Central Hawke’s Bay District
Number of
Hastings District
residents employed
24,183
3,855
384
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
In 2006, around 30,550 people were employed within Hastings District’s boundaries. As
well as the 24,180 workers sourced locally, Hastings attracted 5,250 workers from Napier
City and 520 from Central Hawke’s Bay District.
Travel to work
As was the case with workers across New Zealand, driving a private vehicle was by far
the single most popular way for Hastings District residents to travel to work on Census
day 2006 (53% of employed Hastings residents and 51% of workers nationwide).
Another 12% locally and 11% nationally drove a work vehicle. Around 10% of Hastings’
employed worked at home (9% nationally). The 5% who were passengers in vehicles was
the same proportion as nationally, while another 4% walked or jogged (6% nationwide).
Percent of
employed people
Main means of travel to work, 2006:
All New Zealand and Hastings District
60
All New Zealand
Hastings District
50
40
30
20
10
0
Drove a private car, truck Drove a company car, truck
or van
or van
Did not go to w ork on
Census Day
Worked at home
Passenger in a car, truck,
van or company bus
Walked or jogged
Main means of travel to work
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
Hours of work
At the 2006 Census, Hastings District residents were as likely to work full time as all
workers across the country, with 78% working 30 or more hours per week. They were
slightly more likely than nationally to work longer hours. Around 41% worked a ‘normal’
week of 40 to 49 hours (42% nationally). A little over 13% worked between 50 and 59
hours (12% nationally), and 11% of all employed Hastings residents did 60 or more hours
of work per week (10% nationwide).
Housing
Tenure
Hastings District has a very similar home ownership rate to the country as a whole. In
2006, the district was home to around 25,160 households living in private dwellings.
Around 54% of them owned the dwelling in which they lived (55% nationally), and
another 14% had their homes held in a family trust (12% across the country). The
remaining 31% of Hastings households did not own their dwelling (33% nationally).
As might be expected, the tenure circumstances of Hastings’ youth population vary by
age group. In 2006, 53% of the district’s 12-14 and 15-19 year-olds lived in dwellings
owned by the household. That proportion fell for the next age group (38% of 20-24 yearolds). Living in a property not owned by its occupants was the norm for 33% of the
district’s 12-14 year-olds, 34% of 15-19 year-olds and 53% of 20-24 year-olds. Across
New Zealand, the equivalent proportions were 34%, 37% and 58%.
Sector of landlord
As is the situation around the country, Hastings renters are reliant on the private sector
for the large majority of rented homes in the district. At the 2006 Census, 79% of the
district’s rented properties were owned privately compared with 82% nationally. Another
17% were Housing New Zealand Corporation properties (13% nationwide). The local
council owned around 3% of rented properties in the district, while the final 1% were
owned by other government agencies (2% nationally).
State housing
At the end of 2009, Housing New Zealand Corporation (HNZC) managed 1,406
properties in Hastings District. Three-bedroom properties made up 52%, with another
32% having two bedrooms. Six area units accounted for around three-quarters of the
district’s State houses:
 Camberley – 219 properties or 16% of the district’s State housing stock
 Flaxmere East – 200 properties (14% of the total)
 Raureka – 167 properties (12%)
 Mayfair – 160 properties (11%)
 Akina – 147 properties (10%), and
 Mahora – 145 properties (also 10%).
At the end of 2009, around 140 people were on HNZC’s waiting list in the Hastings
neighbourhood unit15. The largest number of applicants (around 50) were waiting for
two-bedroom properties, while another 40 wanted one bedroom and 30 wanted three. In
December 2009, around 30 Hastings applicants were housed by HNZC, and around 70
applicants exited the list without being placed in a HNZC property.
Rents
The 2006 Census showed that, overall, Hastings District rents were lower than the
country as a whole. The district recorded a mean weekly rent of $183 compared with
$225 nationally, and a median weekly rent of $180 ($201 across the country).
More recent data from Tenancy Services shows that three-bedroom houses are the most
popular type of rental property in the district. In the six months ending March 2010,
average weekly rents for a property of this type ranged between $249 in Flaxmere and
$273 in rural areas, to $300 in Hastings / Clive and $337 in Havelock North. Nationally,
across all three-bedroom houses for which bonds were received over the six months,
weekly rent averaged $326.
Accommodation Supplement (AS)
At the end of February 2010, 5,810 Hastings District residents16 were being paid the
Accommodation Supplement – an increase of 1,170 on the number paid two years earlier.
In 2010, the main groups of Accommodation Supplement recipients in Hastings were:
15
HNZC boundaries do not necessarily match with local government boundaries. The Corporation operates
within a series of neighbourhood units, of which Hastings is one.
16
The statistics included in this section have been produced by the geocoding of MSD client addresses. The
figures represent all clients who lived within Hastings District boundaries at the end of February 2008,
2009 or 2010. This method of assigning a geographic location to a client based on their address is different
from the method used to produce figures for many of the other LSM reports. These earlier reports relied on
identifying service centres within territorial authority boundaries and assigning a geographic location to
clients with claims managed in those relevant service centres.

around 1,750 DPB Sole Parent recipients17 (30% of all Accommodation
Supplement recipients in the district) – a rise of around 120 on February 2008
around 1,000 Non Beneficiaries (17%) – also around 120 more than in 2008
just under 830 Invalid’s Beneficiaries (14%) – around 100 more than two years
earlier
almost 770 Sickness Beneficiaries18 (13%) – almost 100 more than in 2008
around 710 Unemployment Beneficiaries19 (12%) – a very large increase of
around 670 on 2008. This reflects a large increase in unemployment across the
country.
just over 440 New Zealand Superannuitants (8%) – an increase of around 20 on
the 2008 figure.





Accommodation Supplement recipients by main benefit, end of February 2008, 2009 and 2010:
Hastings District
Number
2,000
2008
1,800
2009
2010
1,600
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200
0
DPB Sole Parent
Non Beneficiary
Invalid's Benefit
Sickness Benefit
Unemployment Benefit
New Zealand Superannuation
Type of benefit
Source: Ministry of Social Development
In February 2010, 6% of the Accommodation Supplement recipients in Hastings District
were under the age of 20 years, 86% were aged 20-64 years, and 8% were aged 65 or
over. Around 59% of AS recipients were in rented accommodation, 26% were boarding
and the remaining 15% owned their own home.
Education
Early Childhood Education
At 1 July 2009, there were around 3,940 children20 on the regular rolls of licensed early
childhood education service providers in Hastings District. Excluding the small number
of enrolments of 5 year-olds, this was 70% of the estimated number of children aged 0 to
4 years – a considerably higher proportion than the 59% across New Zealand.
17
Includes DPB Sole Parent and Emergency Maintenance Allowance
Includes Sickness Benefit and Sickness Benefit Hardship
19
Includes Unemployment Benefit and Unemployment Benefit Hardship
20 Early childhood education statistics count enrolments and not children. It is possible for one child to be
enrolled in two services at the same time and be counted twice.
18
At each single year of age, the proportion of Hastings District children regularly enrolled
in early childhood education was higher than the national proportion. The difference was
largest among 1 year-olds (an estimated 54% of that age group in Hastings compared
with 37% nationally), but the gap was also considerable among under-1, 2, 3 and 4 yearolds.
As was the case nationally, children aged 3 and 4 made up the bulk of early childhood
education enrolments in Hastings (28% each). There were more 4 year-olds on the
regular rolls of early childhood education providers in the district than Statistics New
Zealand estimated were resident in mid-2009. This indicates that some children may have
been registered with more than one provider, or children from outside the district were on
the regular rolls of Hastings providers.
Proportion of children enrolled in early childhood education by age, mid-2009:
All New Zealand and Hastings District
Percent of children
in each age group
120
All New Zealand
Hastings District
100
80
60
40
20
0
0
1
2
3
4
5
Age of child (years)
Source: Ministry of Education
In mid-2009, early childhood education in Hastings was dominated by two types of
licensed provider: education and care centres21 and free kindergartens. These were also
the two largest providers nationally. Hastings District’s 54 education and care centres
accounted for 50% of the district’s regular enrolments (56% nationwide), while the
district’s 14 free kindergartens had 20% of regular enrolments (22% nationally).
Three types of provider accounted for the city’s remaining enrolments. Twenty-seven
Kōhanga Reo were together responsible for 14%, almost three times the 5% nationwide.
Seven homebased networks had 12% (8% nationally), while the final 4% belonged to the
district’s seven Playcentres (8% nationally).
21
Education and Care Centres provide either sessional, all-day, or flexible hour programmes for children
from birth to school age. They can be privately owned, non-profit making, or operated as an adjunct to the
main purpose of a business or organisation.
Early childhood education enrolments by type of service, mid-2009:
All New Zealand and Hastings District
Percent of enrolments
60
All New Zealand
Hastings District
50
40
30
20
10
0
Education and care service
Kindergarten
Te Kōhanga Reo
Homebased service
Playcentre
Type of service
Source: Ministry of Education
Hastings District schools
Hastings District contains 27 full primary schools, 16 contributing schools (offering
education up to intermediate school), one special school (for students with intellectual
impairments), three intermediate schools, three composite schools (combining primary,
intermediate and secondary schooling), and ten secondary schools offering education up
to year 15. In July 2009, the roll totals of these schools were as follows.
Number of Hastings District schools by type and rolls,
2009
School Type
Full primary
Contributing
Intermediate
Special
Composite schools
Secondary
Total
Number of
Schools
27
16
3
1
3
10
60
Years
Rolls
1–8
1–6
7–8
3,502
4,033
1,287
71
699
5,058
14,650
7 or 9 – 15
Source: Ministry of Education
For funding purposes the Ministry of Education attaches a decile rating22 to each school.
This indicates the extent to which a school draws its students from low socio-economic
communities. Decile 1 schools are the 10% of schools with the highest proportion of
22
From 1 January 2005, five factors have been used in determining a school's socio-economic indicator:
household income, parents' occupations, household crowding, parents' educational qualifications, and
parents receiving income support. These are based on families with school-age children within the
catchment area of the school.
students from low socio-economic communities, whereas decile 10 schools are the 10%
of schools with the lowest proportion of these students.
In July 2009, 12 Hastings schools were in decile 1 and 11 more were assessed as being in
decile 2. Between them, those 23 schools (described as among the 20% of New Zealand
schools with the highest proportions of students from low socio-economic communities)
were responsible for 37% of the district’s students. At the other end of the scale, six
schools were in decile 10 and five were in decile 9. Between them, those 11 schools
(assessed as among the 20% of New Zealand schools with the lowest proportions of
students from low socio-economic communities) had 24% of the district’s students on
their rolls.
Truancy
In August 2006, the Ministry of Education surveyed all state and state integrated schools
to capture student attendance and absence over one week.23 The survey showed that
Hastings has a slightly higher truancy rate than the country as a whole. All but one type
of school in the survey recorded higher truancy rates in Hastings than nationally. The
largest difference between local and national truancy rates was recorded in secondary
schools offering year 7-15 education (12%) – more than twice the national rate of 5% at
that type of school. Overall, Hastings District had a truancy rate of 5.4% compared with
the national average of 4.1%.
Truancy rates, 2006:
All New Zealand and Hastings District
Truancy rate (%)
14
All New Zealand
Hastings District
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Full primary
Contributing
Intermediate
Composite
Secondary (year 7-15)
Secondary (year 9-15)
Total
Type of school
Source: Ministry of Education
23
The survey achieved a 91% response rate among schools, representing 92% of the student population in
all state and state integrated schools. During the week under study, schools classified absences into
justified, unjustified and intermittent unjustified. Truancy was defined as the sum of the last two categories,
and a truancy rate was calculated as the average (mean) daily unjustified absence for the week per 100
students.
Stand downs and suspensions
Schools have a variety of methods available to deal with student behaviour, and stand
downs and suspensions are just two of the choices available. Both are seen as a last resort
when other options have proved unsuccessful, and only a small number of schools in any
territorial authority stand down or suspend students in any one year.
From 2000 to 2008, the number of stand downs from Hastings District schools fluctuated
from a low of around 330 in 2001 to around 450 in 2007. In just two of the nine years, the
district’s stand down rate was higher than the national rate. In 2007, it reached a peak of
31 stand down cases per 1,000 students compared with 29 per 1,000 nationally. Most
recently, in 2008, Hastings recorded a stand down rate of 26 cases per 1,000 students
compared with 29 per 1,000 nationally. Over the nine years from 2000 to 2008, the most
common reasons for stand downs in Hastings were continual disobedience (30%)
physical assaults on other students (20%) and verbal assaults on staff (10%).
The number of suspensions is generally far lower than stand downs. From 2000 to 2008,
Hastings schools had between around 60 and 100 suspension cases each year. The lowest
total of 61 was recorded in 2001, resulting in a suspension rate of 6 cases per 1,000
students compared with 7 per 1,000 nationally. The highest total of 99 was recorded in
2005, producing a rate of 7 suspension cases per 1,000 students – the same as nationally.
Most recently, in 2008, the district recorded a suspension rate of 7 cases per 1,000
students compared with 6 per 1,000 nationwide. Drugs (36%), continual disobedience
(22%) and physical assault on other students (16%) were the three main reasons for
suspension in Hastings.
Exclusions and expulsions
Following a suspension, a school’s Board of Trustees can lift the suspension (with or
without conditions), extend the suspension (with conditions), or terminate the student's
enrolment at the school. If the student is aged under 16, the board may decide to exclude
him or her from the school, with the requirement that the student enrols elsewhere. If the
student is aged 16 or over, the board may decide to expel him or her from the school, and
the student may enrol at another school.
In the nine years from 2000 to 2008, 36 exclusion cases were recorded, on average, in
Hastings each year. Continual disobedience (30%) and drugs (29%) were the main
reasons for exclusion, followed by physical assault on other students or staff (19%).
Expulsions are much rarer, generally with fewer than five recorded across the district’s
schools each year.
School leavers with little or no formal attainment24
In the years from 1993 to 2008, the proportion of students leaving Hastings secondary
schools with little or no formal attainment fluctuated above and below the national
average. More often than not, in the 1990s, the Hastings proportion was lower than
nationally, whereas since 2001 it has tended to be higher than average. Over the last few
24
3.
Since the introduction of NCEA, this has included people with fewer than 14 credits NCEA Level 1, 2 or
years, both the district and national rates have dropped as more students have been
attaining qualifications under NCEA and efforts have been made to reduce early leaving
exemptions. Most recently, in 2008, 8% of Hastings students left school with little or no
formal attainment compared with 5% nationally.
Students leaving secondary school with little or no formal attainment, 1993-2008:
All New Zealand and Hastings District
Percent of school leavers
25
All New Zealand
Hastings District
20
15
10
5
0
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Year
Source: Ministry of Education
Early leaving exemptions
Between 2000 and 2006, the number of early leaving exemptions granted to students
from schools in Hastings District averaged 66 annually. In 2007, the number dropped to
just over 40 and in 2008, it fell markedly to just six. Over the nine-year period, just over
three-quarters of all exempted students in Hastings left school to begin a training provider
course, almost one in every five left for full-time employment, and the remainder left
school to enrol in polytechnic courses.
Tertiary destinations
In most years, the proportion of students who left a Hastings secondary school from 2000
to 2007 and went straight on to tertiary education the following year has been around the
national average. The largest difference between the local and national proportions
occurred in 2008. That year 48% of the students who had left Hastings District schools
the year before enrolled in tertiary education and training, compared with 53% nationally.
Percent of previous
year's school leavers
Previous year's school leavers enrolling in tertiary study, 2001-2008:
All New Zealand and Hastings District
60
All New Zealand
Hastings District
50
40
30
20
10
0
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Year of first tertiary enrolment
Source: Ministry of Education
Hastings school leavers who head straight into tertiary education tend to make similar
choices to nationally. Nationwide, between 2001 and 2008, the largest proportions of
first-year tertiary enrolments by people who left school the year before were at
universities (48%), followed by polytechnics (32%) and private training establishments
(18%). The first-year tertiary enrolments of Hastings school leavers reflected a similar
pattern, except universities claimed a smaller share of the total (43)%, polytechnics
attracted 36% of the enrolments, and private training establishments 20%. Over the eight
years, wānanga attracted 1%.
Particular tertiary institutions stood out as attracting students from Hastings District. Of
the 1,750 first-year university enrolments by young people who left Hastings schools
between 2000 and 2007, 34% were at Victoria University of Wellington, Massey
University attracted 23%, the University of Otago 20%, and the University of Canterbury
10%. Of the 1,470 first-year polytechnic / institute of technology enrolments by Hastings
school leavers over the eight years, 69% were at the Eastern Institute of Technology.