Hastings District Libraries

Tuesday 3 February 1931 - a typical calm hot Hawke's Bay summer day.

At 46 minutes and 46.3 seconds after 10.00am Hawke's Bay was devastated by two violent shocks in quick succession, followed for days by after shocks. The earthquake of magnitude 7.8* was recorded all around the world. *Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences Limited (GNS).

The town centres of Napier and Hastings were the worst affected, with masonry buildings and brick facades collapsing. Wooden buildings were less damaged but fire destroyed many of these. The fires were worst in Napier where no water was available as the water supply system was destroyed. In Hastings most fires were generally contained with some water being available. Power cuts affected the water pumps. The Grand Hotel, already badly damaged, caught fire.

There were many casualties - 256 were killed, 2 missing, over 400 hospitalised with serious injuries. The Nurses Home on the hill in Napier collapsed, killing nurses who were sleeping after night duty. There were sad stories of people being buried alive.

Casualty List >>

See  also Appendix in The shock of '31 : the Hawke's Bay earthquake by Geoff Conly. 1980.

Hastings Memorial

In 1995 Hastings District Council installed copper plaques on the Hastings Clock Tower engraved with the names of those who lost their lives in the Hastings District - 93 people identified. It also includes a number who were unable to be identified.

It is inscribed with the words “Their sun went down before it was noon.”

There is also a memorial common grave for the victims at the Hastings Cemetery.