Havelock North Business Association
Hello from the Havelock North Business Association
The Havelock North Business Association (HNBA) was established in 1997 and is a non-profit incorporated society, independent of Hastings District Council (HDC) and any other corporate body. It is registered under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022.
The Business Improvement District (BID) was introduced in 2022 and is funded through a BID target rate, collected from commercial properties within the defined rateable area (see membership inclusion zone below).
The Association’s Board is made up of owners and representatives from a range of businesses across Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay.
We represent approximately 350 businesses within the Central Business District (CBD), including retail, hospitality, trade, professional, and service sectors — as well as both landlords and tenants.
The Association has two key roles:
- To provide a support network and advocacy for local businesses.
- To develop and implement strategies that enhance and promote Havelock North as the best place to shop, eat, stay, play, and live.
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Membership
Our goal is to make Havelock North the number one place in New Zealand to shop, eat, stay, play, live, and do business. We achieve this through marketing campaigns, vibrancy initiatives, advocacy, and direct support for our members.
Businesses located within the rated levy area automatically become members through the commercial rates levy paid by landowners to the Hastings District Council.
Businesses outside the CBD can access the same benefits through an annual external membership ($450 + GST). These applications are subject to board approval, based on location, involvement in the Havelock North business community, and alignment of benefits. The Association also considers complimentary associate memberships to registered not-for-profits and charities.
Advocacy is a core focus of the Association, which includes maintaining strong relationships with the Hastings District Council, business support providers, and government agencies to ensure members remain informed, represented, and connected. Our volunteer Board, together with Council representatives, meets bi-monthly to guide planning and decision-making.
Day-to-day operations are managed by two contracted roles:
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Association Manager: Emma McRobbie – responsible for implementing board directives and managing strategy and operations.
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Social Media and Administration Coordinator: Marie Weber – responsible for communications, member engagement, and administrative support.
Being part of the Havelock North Business Association means joining a connected, proactive business community. Our members benefit from a wide range of initiatives designed to promote, support, and grow local business.
Membership benefits include:
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Marketing and promotion of Havelock North through local and domestic tourism campaigns.
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Regular member networking and connection events.
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Access to business development workshops and learning opportunities.
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E-newsletters with the latest business updates and information.
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Eligibility to stand for election to the HNBA Board.
Website
We manage havelocknorth.co.nz and havelocknorthnz.com, which attract thousands of visitors each month.
Our focus on search engine optimisation (SEO) helps member listings rank highly on Google and other search engines, connecting your business with a wider audience. We link much of our marketing activity back to the website to maximise visibility and value for our members.
Social media
We manage @LoveHavelockNorthNZ across Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok reaching more than 20,000 followers.
Our social channels celebrate all things Havelock North – showcasing local events, news, and the businesses that make our village unique.
Member events
We host quarterly networking events to connect our members and encourage collaboration.
Members also have access to workshops and business development sessions through our partnership with the Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce and other local business development agencies.
Havelock North Business Association Inc.
Notice of Annual General Meeting
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Havelock North Business Association Inc. will be held on:
Date: Tuesday 6th October 2026
Time: 5.15pm, with AGM formalities from 5.45
Venue: Village Vineyards, 265 Te Mata Road, Havelock North.
You can RSVP to info@havelocknorthnz.com
Board Nominations
Nominations for the three available Board positions have now closed. Three nominations were received for the three positions available. As the number of nominations does not exceed the number of positions available, no ballot will be required. The nominations will be formally confirmed by resolution at the AGM.
Received nominations:
Lynne Parker, INDEX Optical:
I am co-owner of Index Optical in Havelock North with my husband Geoff, which we opened in 2024. We moved here after selling our previous business, Parker and Co Eyewear, in Auckland. I hold a Master’s in Business Admin and PGDIP from Auckland Uni, which compliments my 30 years of practical business experience. I love living and working in Havelock North and hope I can add value to the business association. My new hobbies since moving to the Hawke’s Bay are gardening, pottery, learning golf, and I seem to be visiting a lot of wineries on the weekends.
Sharelle Cresswell, Havelock North Holiday Park:
I’m Sharelle Creswell, owner of Havelock North Holiday Park. My background is management, small business, farming and tourism, and I’m passionate about helping Havelock North thrive.
I began my career managing a hair salon in Gisborne and served as president of the Poverty Bay Hairdressing Association. My husband Svarn and I then brought a sheep and beef farming at Tiniroto. Our move into tourism began when we bought Mahia Holiday Park. Soon afterwards, we moved to Hastings TOP 10 Holiday Park, which we operated under a five-year lease. During that time, I grew its Facebook following from around 5,000 to nearly 35,000 and enjoyed working alongside other local business owners.
We now own Parklands Motor Lodge in Tūrangi. We also decided to develop our own holiday park in Havelock North. We bought Off the Track restaurant and cottages and have since expanded and developed the property into Havelock North Holiday Park as it is today. Our businesses and three children keep us busy, but I love promoting local businesses and helping visitors discover our area. I would welcome the opportunity to bring that experience and enthusiasm to the Havelock North Business Association board.
Naomi Thompson, Ben & Jerrys
I moved to Havelock North two years ago and have quickly developed a strong connection to the community and a genuine passion for seeing our village and local businesses thrive. Professionally, I work as a Project Manager for Long White Cloud Healthcare Group, which has an office in Havelock North and works across New Zealand project managing and facilitating private healthcare facilities. I am also involved with Ben & Jerry’s Havelock North, which has given me the opportunity to work alongside the Havelock North Business Association and participate in Hastings District Council initiatives. Through this involvement, I have seen firsthand the positive impact that strong marketing, promotions, events and collaboration can have on local businesses and the wider community.
I would love the opportunity to contribute my project management experience, energy and ideas to the Havelock North Business Association Board. I am particularly passionate about supporting local businesses, encouraging new initiatives, strengthening community connections and helping ensure Havelock North continues to be a vibrant and successful place to live, work and visit. Outside of work, I enjoy being involved in local church groups, going to the gym, walking Te Mata Peak with friends, and making the most of everything our community has to offer.
Proxy Voting
If you are unable to attend the AGM in person, you may appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf. A proxy voting form is available on this page.
We encourage all members to attend and have their say in the future direction of the Havelock North Business Association.
AGM Documents
