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) or any other corporate body.
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.
